the DeKalb FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • VOL.

24, NO 12• FREE

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker • A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

DCSD announces
academic leaders
prior to graduation
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com

A
head of high school graduations, DeKalb County
School District (DCSD) announced each high school’s
valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2018-2019
school year.
By definition, a valediction is a student who earned the
highest-ranking academic score. A salutatorian is a student
who earned the second-highest–ranking academic score. Both
students traditionally speak at their school’s graduation.
Along with publically announcing the achievements for
students at the top of their class, the district also plans to
recognize the valedictorians and salutatorians May 9. DCSD
Superintendent R. Stephen Green, school principals and
board of education members will be in attendance and speak.
The celebration will take place at the Robert R. Freeman
Administrative & Instruction Complex, 1701 Mountain
Industrial Boulevard in Stone Mountain at 6:30 p.m.
DCSD’s valedictorians and salutatorians are as follows:
• ARABIA MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL
Janae Baker – Valedictorian – Magnet
Arantza Pena – Valedictorian
Daija Jackson – Salutatorian – Magnet
Kamaya Walker – Salutatorian
• CEDAR GROVE HIGH SCHOOL
Chloe Dixon – Valedictorian
Audrey Choutpoen Nsangou – Salutatorian
• CHAMBLEE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL
Sherwin Shirazi – Valedictorian – Magnet
Eshaan Agrawal – Valedictorian
Shani Edmond, left, was named 2019 Lakeside High School salutatorian and Zoe Weiss, right, was named 2019 Lakeside SEE GRADUATION ON PAGE 6
High School valedictorian. Photo provided by Lakeside High School Principal Damian Bounds Twitter page.

Visit www.TheChampionNewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.

LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
New youth soccer program comes to DeKalb
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
A nationwide soccer
program has made its way to
DeKalb County.
Decatur couple Erika
and Kareem Hall launched
Soccer Shots Atlanta East in
DeKalb County in March.
Soccer Shots is a children’s
soccer program with a focus
on character development to
positively impact children’s
lives on and off the field
through in-class coaching,
communication and
curriculum.
Kareem said he and his
wife launched Soccer Shots
in their community because
the program combines their
two passions—soccer and
early childcare.
“Soccer has been a huge
part of my life, both playing
and coaching. Erika has been
Kareem Hall, left, and his wife Erika launched Soccer Shots Atlanta East in DeKalb County in March. Photo provided
a big fan of soccer and a big
supporter of Atlanta United,”
he said. “Early childcare is
such a big part of our lives
through us doing tutoring
for many years, but also, we
have a young daughter who
recently turned 2.
“As we moved further
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 2
in researching her education
and really caring about her
education, that became a
bigger passion for us and
we felt Soccer Shots really
blended those two together
so famously,” Kareem
added.
Soccer Shots offers
three programs to meet the
developmental needs of
children ages 2-8. Soccer
Shots Mini program for
2- and 3-year-olds is a high-
energy program introducing
children to soccer principles,
such as using their feet,
dribbling and the basic rules
of the game.
Soccer Shots Classic
for 3- to 5-year-olds uses
creative and imaginative
games to focus on basic
soccer skills such as
dribbling, passing and
shooting; and Soccer Shots
Premier for 5- to 8-year-olds
focuses on individual skill,
fitness and sportsmanship.
Kareem said soccer
is the tool that they use to
build good character traits in
children as well as introduce
them to the game.
“So, the kids are going
to learn soccer throughout
the class whether it’s through
drills or exercises through
different warmups we do.
But character development
and vocabulary are a huge
part that’s woven in through
all of the themes and
different activities that we
SEE SOCCER ON PAGE 3
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 3

STONE MOUNTAIN

State tourism group to visit city

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The Georgia Department
of Economic Development’s
tourism division will visit
Stone Mountain.
The department
announced that its Product
technical assistance to
local communities in
developing and enhancing
their tourism product. The
seven-member team consists
of representatives from
the Georgia Department of
Economic Development,
Georgia Tourism and
According to Georgia
Department of Economic
Development, team
members will work with
city officials to measure the
portfolio of tourism-related
assets in Stone Mountain Soccer Shots is a children’s soccer program with a focus on character development
associated with heritage and to positively impact children’s lives on and off the field through in-class coaching,
communication and curriculum. Photo provided
cultural tourism, nature-

SOCCER Continued From Page 2A

Development Resource
team will visit the city
May 7-8. The team is a
statewide initiative that
provides communities with
the resources needed to
identify tourism products
and increase visitor activity
throughout the community,
according to the Department
of Economic Development.
“The city of Stone
Mountain recognizes the
importance of tourism as
an economic generator and
development strategy for
our region,” Stone Mountain
Mayor Patricia Wheeler
said in a released statement.
“We look forward to
hosting the resource team to
further develop our tourism
potential.”
The team provides
Georgia Council for the
Arts, the Department
of Natural Resources,
Department of Agriculture
and Cobb Travel and
Tourism.
Director of Tourism
Product Development
Cindy Eidson said in a
released statement the
visit to Stone Mountain
will allow the Product
Development Resource
team to learn more about
the city’s current tourism
offerings and potential
opportunities.
“We are looking
forward to this initial
visit and returning with
our recommendations to
aid them in cultivating
sustainable tourism
product,” Eidson said.
based tourism, film and
retail development. The
department said the resource
team’s objectives include
inventorying and discussing
assets that are contenders
for further development and
expanded tourism-based
economy in the city.
The team will also
define solutions to overcome
obstacles that may challenge
such efforts. The team will
visit Stone Mountain’s
tourism sites, including the
Welcome Center located
in the Historic Train Depot
and Stone’s Throw walking
tour. They also plan to
visit restaurants, churches,
businesses, cemeteries,
community garden and
Stone Mountain Manor.
do, so kids are able to grow in more ways than just soccer
throughout every class that we have.”
The Halls contract with childcare centers and schools
to offer the program to students. They also have programs
at parks in the county, including Bessie Branham Park in
Kirkwood and Lynwood Park in Brookhaven.
Erika said they we wanted to bring a program into their
community that could advance the community they live in
and thought Soccer Shots was a great way to do it.
“There is a lot of soccer frenzy around DeKalb County
and Atlanta, especially since we got Atlanta United,” she
said. “I really think we can use that as a tool, since kids are
so interested in it, for both growth and development and also
being kids first introduction in to sports in general.”
Kareem said their goal is to continue to build the
program and reach more children in the county.
“We definitely feel there is a lot of growth in terms of
childcare and schools that we run the programs in and then
also public parks and different areas [such as] churches that
offer classes,” he said.

THE CITY OF DUNWOODY, GEORGIA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Dunwoody Mayor and City Council will meet on Monday, May 20, 2019 at
6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Dunwoody City Hall, which is located at 4800
Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338, for the purpose of due process of the
following:
MA 19-01: Laurel David, attorney for the owner, on behalf of Branch Ashwood
Associates, L.P., owner of 1250 Meadow Lane Road, and 500, 600, and 700 Ashwood
Parkway, Dunwoody, Georgia seeks a major modification to conditions of zoning. The
tax parcel numbers for the site are 18-350-02-001, 18-350-02-003, 18-349-01-037, and
18-349-01-046.
Should you have any questions, comments, or would like to view the application and
supporting materials, please contact the City of Dunwoody Community Development
Department at 678-382-6800. Staff is available to answer questions, discuss the
decision-making process, and receive comments and concerns.

THE CITY OF DUNWOODY, GEORGIA

NOTICE OF ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING
The City of Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Thursday, June 6,
2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Dunwoody City Hall, which is located
at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338, to hear the following
applications:
ZBA 19-10: Robert Donner, owner of 5361 Seaton Way, seeks a variance from
Chapter 27, Section 27-58, to encroach the side yard setback to permit an existing
accessory structure. The Tax Parcel ID is 18 373 08 023.
Should you have any questions, comments, or would like to view the application and
supporting materials, please contact the City of Dunwoody Community Development
Department at 678-382-6800. Members of the public are encouraged to call or
schedule a meeting with staff in advance of the Public Hearing if they have questions
or are unfamiliar with the process. Staff is available to answer questions, discuss the
decision-making process, and receive comments and concerns.
OPINION
There’s no denying it anymore.
I’m officially a senior citizen.
I recently hit that big birthday
that so many of us have a hard
time accepting as a benchmark of
ourselves—turning 65.
Yes, there’s a Medicare card in
my wallet in addition to the AARP
card that was insultingly sent to me
when I was still in my prime 50s.
Aging can be hard to accept.
When I was young, I couldn’t wait
to reach 13 so I could call myself
a teen, then it was 18 and 21 when
I and the world considered me to
be an adult. But not long after that
the excitement of birthdays became
“no big deal,” and soon it started to
go downhill from there as I waved
Foreclosures
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To subscribe, visit DeKalbLegalNotices.com
or call 404-373-7779, X 0
#ItsInTheChampion
OMG, I’m 65
Gale Horton Gay
fastgale@hotmail.com
goodbye to my 30s and 40s.
I still remember the first time
I was called “ma’am” by a teen
grocery bagger who I wondered
might have poor vision, but it
happened again and again.
Now so many signs of advanced
age that no one warned me of are
settling in such as my eyebrows
turning gray, creaky knees,
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 4
diminished hearing, insomnia,
diminished appetite and the inability
to stay awake much past 9 p.m.
and sleep past 5 a.m. I still have
moments of disbelief. “HOW IN
THE WORLD DID I GET TO BE
65?” a voice in my head shreiks
occasionally.
Despite all this complaining,
I’m actually embracing this stage of
life.
I consider it a blessing to have
reached this milestone, have decent
health, have a nearing 30-year
marriage that is comfortable and
still fun, have reared children who
are now adults and command their
own lives, friends who date back to
elementary school and other points
along life’s journey, work I enjoy, a
still ardent passion for volunteering
and making plenty of plans for the
future.
I’ve always told friends who
lament another passing birthday to
rejoice as the alternative to aging is
a real reason to be depressed.
I hope I’m one of the fortunate
ones who gets to age with verve and
grace and I might be able to share
with an audience what it’s like to
turn 70, 80 and 90.
Every year (actually every day)
is a blessing and I’m just pleased to
still find joy in what life has to offer.
OPINION
 
“It’s a fundamental step, and
very complex, because it’s difficult
to send workers into a monument
whose vaulted ceilings are swollen
with water.  The end of the fire does
not mean the edifice is totally saved.  bill.csicrane@gmail.com
The stone can deteriorate when it
is exposed to high temperatures
and change its mineral composition
or fracture inside,” said
French conservation architect/
preservationist Pierluigi Pericolo.
 
The restoration/reconstruction
work for the heavily fire-damaged
Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris,
France has yet to begin. The
assessment of the complete damage
and stabilization of the surviving
masonry and stone structure are
expected to take well more than a
year. France’s President Emmanuel
Macron has set an aggressive
time table of five years to have
Notre Dame again able to welcome
visitors when Paris hosts the
Olympic Games again in 2024.
 Within days of the containment
of the flames nearly destroying the
850-year-old structure, several of
the wealthiest citizens of France
stepped forward with generous
multi-million-euro pledges and
donations to begin the difficult task
of reconstruction. In total, nearly
a billion euros have already been
pledged—nearly half of that from
three French families. Fashion and
retail magnate Francois Pinault
announced he would give 100
million euros. His long-standing
rival and fellow billionaire Bernaud
Arnault, owner of the luxury goods
group LVMH, doubled-down with
a pledge of 200 million euros. The
Bettencourt family—part-owners
of the L’Oreal empire—announced
a planned donation of 200 million
euros and other major enterprises
there have followed suit.  forecast 20 years or more. The
And perhaps only in Paris—
within a day or two of these
generous donations being pledged—
there were protests in the streets
objecting to the obscene wealth
FREEPRESS
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reflect the opinions
of the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. The
Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.
We’ll always have Paris
‘One Man’s
Opinion’
Bill Crane
being directed toward saving Notre
Dame, versus the issues of concern
to the Yellow Vest protesters and
other social activists in France.  I expect thousands of Americans
The Yellow Vests movement
began in November of 2018
over a planned substantial
hike in motor fuel taxes. The
French people are all required
to have a yellow vest in their
automobiles for use in a roadside
accident or emergency. These
vests are inexpensive and easily
recognizable, and now the uniform
of those protesting a government
they believe to be out of touch
and overly controlled by wealthy
individuals and industries.  and structure remain the property
Macron’s predecessor,
President Francois Hollande,
earlier made the ill-advised move
of moving income tax rates on the
wealthiest citizens of France to 75
percent to close a then budget gap
(2012). Within weeks of passing the
huge tax hike, 300 of the wealthiest
citizens of France changed their
citizenship to nearby tax haven
nations, including Belgium,
Switzerland and Monaco, with low-
or no-income taxes. The French
Constitutional Council (equivalent
to the U.S. Supreme Court) later
struck down the high tax rates, yet
several of the wealthiest families
in France have yet to return
home. Fool me once... 
Experts in restoration/historic
reconstruction and conservation
estimated a much longer process to
rebuild the great cathedral. Some
government of France is now
sponsoring a design competition
for what the new roof will look
like. France no longer has trees tall
enough, old enough or long enough
SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR,
The DeKalb Free Press,
P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347;
Send email to Johnh@dekalbchamp.com
FAX To: (404) 370-3903; Phone: (404) 373-7779.
Deadline for news releases and advertising:
Thursday, one week prior to publication date.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MAY 3, 2019 • Page 5
to rebuild with the ancient growth
timbers that made up the original
roof.
Large and small gifts will be
made to restore Notre Dame, by
the world’s wealthiest, the Catholic
church, historic preservationists
and I suspect millions more from
around the world. The University of
Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. has
already pledged $100,000 toward
the restoration of its namesake, and
will also become generous donors
to this cause. In many cases I can
foresee French-American families
and businesses lifting their hearts,
minds and checkbooks, contributing
considerable green, while the
Yellow Vests of France instead raise
road blocks, toss molotov cocktails
and perhaps even riot in the streets
of Paris.
 The Catholic church has a long-
term lease of sorts on the Cathedral
of Notre Dame, but the edifice
of the people of France. We hope
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker
Horace Holloman
Chief Financial Officer: Taylor Robins
Dr. Earl D. Glenn
Social Media Manager:
Production Manager: Donna Seay
Kemesha Wadley
The DeKalb Free Press is published each Friday
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Phone (404) 373-7779.
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that President Macron and his
parliament listen more to the quiet
voices of generosity and giving and
accept their largesse. 
The cathedral had been
suffering and in a state of somewhat
neglect for decades, the heat and
attention of a crisis can reshape
public priorities and opinion. Pray
that the logic of a group effort
toward saving this shrine outweigh
the likely louder, perhaps longer
and more contentious, voices of
accepting the funding, while later
misappropriating the purpose and
intention of those funds.
Bill Crane also serves as a
political analyst and commentator
for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
FM, as well as a columnist for The
Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
native and business owner, living
in Scottdale. You can reach him
or comment on a column at bill.
csicrane@gmail.com. 
STATEMENT FROM THE
PUBLISHER
We sincerely appreciate the
discussion surrounding this and any
issue of interest to DeKalb County.
The Champion was founded in 1991
expressly to provide a forum for
discourse for all community residents
on all sides of an issue. We have no
desire to make the news only to
report news and opinions to effect
a more educated citizenry that will
ultimately move our community
forward. We are happy to present
ideas for discussion; however,
we make every effort to avoid
printing information submitted to
us that is known to be false and/or
assumptions penned as fact.
LOCAL
GRADUATION
Continued From Page 1A
Lee-San Sun – Salutatorian – Magnet
Debajyoti Das – Salutatorian
• CLARKSTON HIGH SCHOOL
Evanné J Casimir – Valedictorian
Paw Thaw Thaw – Salutatorian
• COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL
Keonna Timmons – Valedictorian – Magnet
Christina Lewis – Valedictorian
Serenity Williams – Salutatorian – Magnet
Brandy Jackson – Salutatorian
• CROSS KEYS HIGH SCHOOL
Deanna Lin – Valedictorian
Amanda Perdomo – Salutatorian
• DEKALB EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY
Kelsey Brew – Valedictorian
Aaron Patterson – Salutatorian
• DEKALB SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Mariya Kurbatova – Valedictorian
Ella Biehn – Salutatorian
• DRUID HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
Sabina Iqbal – Valedictorian
Haris Miller – Salutatorian
• DUNWOODY HIGH SCHOOL
Madeline Tapp – Valedictorian
Caroline Shewmaker – Salutatorian
• Martin Luther King, Jr. High School
Jasmine White – Valedictorian
Mikaili Williams – Salutatorian
• LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL
Zoe Weiss – Valedictorian
Shani Edmond – Salutatorian
• LITHONIA HIGH SCHOOL
Alexandra Hamilton – Co-Valedictorian
Sara Nunez – Co-Valedictorian
Rebecca Zhang – Salutatorian
• MCNAIR HIGH SCHOOL
Taniya Scott – Valedictorian
Kathy Romero - Salutatorian
• MILLER GROVE HIGH SCHOOL
Rashon Poole – Valedictorian
Breonna Lenon – Salutatorian
• REDAN HIGH SCHOOL
Ar’Monii Price – Valedictorian
Seinab Mohamed – Salutatorian
• SOUTHWEST DEKALB HIGH SCHOOL
Madison Grant – Valedictorian – Magnet
Gabrielle Huff – Valedictorian
Sarah DeBruhl – Salutatorian – Magnet
Sarah Sileshi – Salutatorian
• STEPHENSON HIGH SCHOOL
Mychal Anderson – Valedictorian
Rochelle Hall – Salutatorian
• STONE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL
Bawi Par – Valedictorian
Haileyesus Ayalew – Salutatorian
• TOWERS HIGH SCHOOL
Deion Kelly – Valedictorian
Bleaka Martins – Salutatorian
• TUCKER HIGH SCHOOL
Usman Saeed Jamal – Valedictorian
Leah Whitmoyer – Salutatorian
• TAPESTRY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
Xavier Butler – Valedictorian
Avery Lamberson – Salutatorian
#ItsInTheChampion
www.TheChampionNewspaper.com
Secrets of Avondale Estates’
gardens soon to be revealed
BY GALE HORTON GAY
Avondale Estates Garden
Club is adding a new event to
help support the organization
and the projects that they do
in and around Avondale and
Decatur.  thing you love. Look for the
For those curious about
what it looks like in the back-
yards of some of the Avondale
Estates’ homes with well-man-
icured front yards, the club is
offering a peek. The Avondale
Estates Garden Club is reinvig-
orating the once-popular garden
tours of the past with the debut
of “The Secret Gardens of
Avondale Tour” on June 1 from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Our goal is to let people
see the variety of things you
can do in the garden,” said Al-
ice Guppy, the club’s publicity
chairperson.
Plein-air artists will be
working on site in the six
gardens which range from
well-established to emerging
landscapes.
“Attendees will be treated
to a garden at the first home
built on the lake, where a large
specimen oak provides the
perfect canopy for the age-old
azaleas and camellias,” ac-
cording to promotional mate-
rial from the club. “A second
woodland garden is anchored
with a dogwood, tulip poplar,
black cherry, saucer magnolias,
and a huge magnolia. This gar-
den also includes a pollinator
section to attract butterflies and
bees. The third featured garden
has utilized almost every square
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 6
inch of space on the property
to create magical nooks and
niches. Whether listening to the
sounds of the three fountains,
lounging in the dining barn, or
resting in the corner gazebo,
you’re guaranteed to see some-
palm tree in the next garden
where innovative ideas were
used to address the problems
that existed to create a back-
yard oasis. A historic garden,
established in 1932, rivals a
large estate with its traditional
plantings and a working veg-
etable garden. “
The tour also features an
emerging garden that is a work
in progress. “As you stroll un-
der the patio pergola you’ll rec-
ognize the signature southern
scent of jasmine with evergreen
clematis and Lady Banks roses
nearby,” states the promotional
material.
Guppy said she hopes the
tour will “feed their curiosi-
ties” and make people aware of
plants and ways to showcase
landscaping that they may not
have considered.
The club, which has been
around since 1954, does much
more than gardening. The
group’s 50 members support
women and children at a local
women’s shelter, collect and
deliver books and valentines
to patients at the VA Medical
Center in Decatur, purchase and
distribute toiletries and personal
clothing items to the residents
of Georgia Regional Hospi-
tal, has built and maintained a
Children’s Little Free Library
and has funded and installed
plantings at the entrances of
Avondale Estates. The garden
club’s community involvement
also includes maintaining the
red, white and blue garden at
the city’s Blue Star Marker,
participation in and support of
local Arbor Day activities as
well as other projects. 
The club also was instru-
mental in securing funds to
replace the Blue Star Marker
that was destroyed by a reck-
less driver. 
Traditionally the garden
club has relied on its annual
holiday bazaar to fund its proj-
ects. This year they’re adding
something the garden tour to
their fundraising efforts.
Secret Gardens of Avondale
Tour tickets go on sale May 1
for $15.00 if purchased before
the tour and $20 if purchased
the day of the tour. Children
younger than 12 are free. Stroll-
ers and pets are not permitted
on the tour.
Tickets can be purchased
at several local businesses: in
Avondale Estates - Avondale
City Hall, Edwin Jarvis, Find-
ers Keepers Home Consign-
ment, Garage Door Studios,
and Ronald Sachs Violins; in
Decatur – Intown Ace Hard-
ware, The Great Frame Up, Lee
Cobb Hair Design, Opus Mu-
sic, and Vivid Boutique; and  in
Oakhurst - One Step at a Time
Shoes.  Day of ticket purchases
will be available at the pavilion
in Willis Park near the pool in
Avondale Estates. 
LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
Resource fair provides support to child abuse victims
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Multiple agencies and
child advocacy groups
partnered for the National
Child Abuse Prevention
Month Resource Fair on
April 24 at the Gregory A.
Adams Juvenile Justice
Center.
The fair was hosted by
the DeKalb County Court
Appointed Special Advocate
(CASA) program and
DeKalb County Juvenile
Court. CASA is a nonprofit
organization that trains
volunteers to advocate for
children in foster care.
During the annual
event, organizations offered
resources and assistance
to individuals in need of
services related to child
abuse.
Tara Daniels, program
manager for DeKalb County
CASA, said the resource fair
provides the community with
needed resources.
“Coming in and out
of juvenile court all day
long are families who
are impacted by child
maltreatment in some form
or fashion. We wanted to let
them know there are other
resources in the community
that could help them,”
Daniels said.
Some of the resource
organizations participating
in the event included the
Child Welfare Training
Collaborative, Georgia
Center for Child Advocacy,
Partnership Against
Domestic Violence, State
Office of the Child Advocate
and Street Grace.
REDUCE • REUSE
RECYCLE • REDUCE
REUSE • RECYCLE
DeKalb County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and DeKalb County Juvenile Court hosted a National Child Abuse Prevention Month Resource Fair on April 24.
Daniels said some
families may need additional
help after leaving the
juvenile court system.
“At some point these
cases are going to close
and the families may need
some additional resources to
maintain the level of stability
that the court has helped
guide them to,” Daniels said.
“These resources can help
them maintain that level of
stability outside the court
system.”
According to juvenile
court officials, the mission
of the court system is to
“protect the best interests of
the child and the community,
to restore the lives of
children who have been
neglected or abused, to
redirect children who have
admitted to or have been
found in violation of the
law to become law abiding,
productive citizens, and to
support the continuity of
families by leaving children
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 7
in their homes whenever help improve the quality of volunteers and we have an
possible.” life for juveniles in the court amazing group of citizens
DeKalb County Juvenile system. that volunteer for programs
Court Administrator “This was an opportunity like CASA. We take pride
Colet Odenigbo said the to showcase the many in making sure we have a
court system has a great programs that we have at vibrant juvenile court.”
relationship with CASA. He the court,” Odenigbo said.
said programs such as CASA “CASA is made up of
PUBLIC NOTICE
FORMER NAVAL AIR STATION ATLANTA RESTORATION
ADVISORY BOARD (RAB)
The former Naval Air Station (NAS) Atlanta is located in DeKalb County, Georgia
approximately 8 miles north-northeast of downtown Atlanta. The former NAS Atlanta
was established during WWI as an Army training base known as Camp Gordon. Sub-
sequently, the United States (US) Navy purchased a small tract for the construction
of the US Naval Reserve Aviation Base. Since 1960, the facility has been used for
general aviation and is known as DeKalb-Peachtree (PDK) Airport. The PDK Airport is
situated on 700 acres of land and currently hosts 125 aviation-related tenants. Parts of
the remaining former NAS Atlanta have been developed into several housing subdivi-
sions and businesses. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is investigating and
remediating the site under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program for For-
merly Used Defense Sites (DERP-FUDS). Various investigations have been conduct-
ed at the former NAS Atlanta to determine the presence of several types of contami-
nants. USACE has worked closely with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division
and in conjunction with US Environmental Protection Agency guidance to establish
and follow remedial actions protective of human health and the environment.
The Department of Defense encourages community involvement in the environ-
mental restoration process. A Restoration Advisory Board is one of many methods
the Army Corps of Engineers may use to facilitate public participation at a Formerly
Used Defense Site. RABs provide a collaborative forum for the community, govern-
ment agencies, tribes and installation decision makers to discuss and identify the most
efficient and productive means to restore the environment. RAB members are asked
to meet regularly to review and comment on technical documents and plans relating to
the ongoing environmental studies and restoration activities at the former NAS Atlanta.
Members will be expected to serve as liaisons with the community and be available to
meet with community members and groups. RAB members serve as volunteers and
provide individual advice to decision makers on environmental restoration plans for
the former NAS Atlanta.
The USACE Savannah District welcomes public feedback regarding interest in
establishing a RAB for the former NAS Atlanta no later than June 4, 2019. Inquiries
or questions should be submitted to the following email address: Billy.E.Birdwell@
usace.army.mil
An Information Repository, which documents the rationale for all remedial action
decisions for this site, is maintained and accessible to the community at the USACE
Savannah District, 100 W. Oglethorpe Ave. Savannah, GA 31401.
www.sas.usace.army.mil
LOCAL
CHAMBLEE
Sheltering Arms Early Education Center students have a hard time shoveling dirt during a April 22
groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by Taylor Robins.
Little ones help
break ground
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Chamblee officials
received help from a
group of children from
Sheltering Arms Early
Education Center during its
groundbreaking ceremony
for International Village
Park renovations April 22.
Sheltering Arms Early
Education Center is located
on the same property as the
park.
“It’s fun to see this park
getting a little bit of love,”
said Chamblee Mayor Eric
Clarkson said. ‘It’s been
here for a long time… I’m
glad the council saw the
need and we’re putting our
best foot forward.”
Additions for the 1.4-
acre park will feature a
multiuse field, community
garden, new playground,
entertainment plaza,
renovated parking lot,
lighting, fencing and
reforestation around the
entire property.
Canfield Park, also
located in Chamblee,
is undergoing additions
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 8
Chamblee officials and children from Sheltering Arms Early Education Center break ground on a Chamblee park
revitalization project April 22. Photo by Taylor Robins.
that include a playground meeting.
structure, a retaining wall Construction for
that will serve as seating International Village Park
and a concrete sidewalk at will begin May 1 and is
the entrance. scheduled for January
Chamblee city council 2020 completion, weather A map of revitalization plans for Chamblee’s International Village Park.
approved $937,447 for both permitting.
of the park’s revitalizations
PET WEEK
at the March 19 city council
Meet Champ (ID#
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adores women and is quite a
flirt. In fact he loves women
so much, that he only wants a
woman to adopt him! Champ
also does great with other
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could be his leader. This good
CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN boy is waiting for his "Princess
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Charming" to come find him, so
he can go home with them and
live happily ever after. Are you
The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice the princess worthy of Champs
that a Public Hearing will be held to receive public affection? Come find out?
comment on a Variance Application for 5500
Woodsong Trce, Stone Mountain, GA 30083, Parcel
#18 074 03 126. Variance is requested for deviation
If you would like to expand
your family by 4 furry little
Champ
from the Single Family Residential (R1) district feet; ask to meet Champ and
development regulations for setbacks. have a loving friend forever.
The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public
dekalbanimalservices.com.
All adoptions include your All potential adopters will be
Hearing on this matter on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 new pet's spay or neuter, screened to ensure Champ
at City Hall located at 875 Main Street, Stone vaccinations, microchip and goes to a good home.
Mountain, GA at 6:30 P.M. Anyone wishing to attend more! For more information Hours: Mon-Fri; 11am-7pm /
the public hearing may do so and be heard relative about Champ please call (404) Sat-Sun; 11am-6pm
thereto. 294-2165 or email adoption@
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES

Chamblee Mayor Eric Clarkson held the State of the City address April 23. During his
speech, Clarkson spoke about how the city will be moving forward in alignment with the
its goals. Photo provided by city of Chamblee Twitter Page.

Charis Books and More on April 27 celebrated its grand re-opening at its
new home in Decatur on the Agnes Scott College campus.

Novelist and 2019 Independent Bookstore Day Ambassador Tayari Jones

signs books during the Charis Books and More event celebrating the
bookstore’s move to its new South Candler Street location on the Agnes
Scott College campus. Photos by Kathy Mitchell

As part of Dunwoody’s plan to improve the city’s walkability, city workers helped to
pour cement for the Roberts Drive Improvement Project April 23. Photo provided by
city of Dunwoody Twitter page.
Tucker officials, along with leadership from the Tucker-Northlake and Tucker Summit Community Improvement Districts
(CIDs), held their inaugural Manufacturing Day event April 24 at Stone Ridge Event Center. Photo provided by Matt Holmes

Have you created programming you’d like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb County’s Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.

@DEKALBCHAMPNEWS
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.

(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com

EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 10

COUNTYWIDE

The hand-painted murals were once located on a wall inside Towers High
School.

A bare wall at Towers High School that once featured two murals. Photos provided by Michael Johnson.
Students in the process of painting a mural that has since been removed.

Community members and students

shocked after murals disappear
BY TAYLOR ROBINS Johnson said the first-year principal “I wanted to celebrate their “As a part of a continued
“doesn’t like to be opposed.” achievements and life-changing, and commitment to providing students with
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
“We as students feel like we aren’t sometimes life-saving moments,” a safe, clean and inviting atmosphere, it
heard,” said Towers High School Johnson said. was determined that numerous areas of
Students and community members
student Mackenzie Jordan in an email Johnson graduated from Towers the building needed to be painted.”
say that they were shocked to return to
sent to The Champion Newspaper. High School in 1996. Community members also allege
school after spring break and see that
“She’s a bully. She throws her “[Griffith] has been aware of the that Griffith has spent $400,000 in
their once-beloved hallway murals had
weight around and it’s tiring honestly,” concerns regarding a removed mural Title I funds without community
vanished.
said the anonymous staff member for the past two weeks. Without involvement and that 30 teachers are
“Upon entering [April 8] I was
and alumna. “Nobody wants to deal knowing, or being informed that the not renewing their contracts for the
taken aback, I was livid, sad and
with that, she’s micromanaging mural had historical significance, the 2019-2020 school year.
heartbroken to see plain white walls,”
everything… I am truly upset with her decision to paint was to ensure that the According to DCSD, the high
said a Towers High School alumna and
decisions.” hallways were not marred with chipped school follows all federally mandated
current staff member who requested
DeKalb County School District and fading paint. School principals Title I guidelines, to include
anonymity, in an email sent to The
(DCSD) officials describe Griffith have full discretion in modifying stakeholder engagement. Stakeholders
Champion Newspaper.
as “committed to the students and school campuses. As long as no had opportunities to attend three input
“I feel disrespected as an
the greater Towers High School infrastructure is changed, the district meetings held during the current school
[alumna],” Towers High School alumni
community.” is not required to grant permission,” year: Sept. 27, April 11 and April 18.
Kayla Brown said in an email sent to
The two murals─a mascot mural according to a DCSD official statement. DCSD denies that 30 teachers will
The Champion Newspaper.
and a mural that showcases colleges Griffith has created school brand not return for the 2019-2020 school
Michael Johnson, who painted and
students from Towers High have ambassadors─a collaboration among year.
paid for the mural, said the decision to
chosen to attend─were painted in students, alumni, parents and business “The assertion that Towers will
cover the murals was made by Towers
2014 by Johnson with a collaboration partners─to outline and identify a lose 30 teachers is simply not true,”
High School Principal Lakeisha
of students and staff. According to consistent brand as the school “moves said district officials.
Griffith without notifying students,
Johnson, the group created the murals to new heights,” according to the
teachers, staff, alumni or parents.
during and after school hours. statement.

VISIT THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM
EDUCATION
EDUCATION
BRIEFS
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
The Museum School
of Avondale Estates
named School of the
Year
The Museum School
of Avondale Estates was
named Georgia Charter
Schools Association’s
2019 Academic Charter
School of the Year. The
award recognizes charter
schools that demonstrate
academic excellence; have
students who score high on
College & Career Readiness
Performance Index tests;
and remain autonomous in
governance.
As the recipient of the
2019 award, the school
will receive $25,000 from
GCSA to aid its mission of
educating DeKalb County
students. According to a
statement from the school,
the funds will be used to
purchase Google Expedition
Kits to take students’
learning worldwide.
Kezh awarded
scholarship at
Oglethorpe University
Andrea Kezh of
Decatur, a Decatur High
School senior who plans to
major in communication
studies, received the
James Edward Oglethorpe
Scholarship.
The scholarship is
a four-year, full-tuition
award that recognizes
high school seniors with
an outstanding record of
academic achievement and
great potential to contribute
to the community life of
Oglethorpe University.
Recipients compete for the
honor during an invitation-
only scholarship weekend
hosted on campus.
Local residents
initiated into The
Honor Society of Phi
Kappa Phi
The following local
residents were recently
initiated into The Honor
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 11
COUNTYWIDE
Society of Phi Kappa Phi:
Reginald Bynum Jr.
of Stone Mountain was
initiated at Kennesaw
State University, Jonathan
Celestin of Stone
Mountain was initiated
at Pennsylvania State
University, Gloria Clark
of Decatur was initiated
at Brenau University, OPINION
Laura Oprisch of Decatur
was initiated at College
of Charleston, Demetria
Evangelatos of Decatur
was initiated at Kennesaw
State University, Richard
Hessler III of Decatur
was initiated at Kennesaw
State University, Taylor
Photo provided by DeKalb County School District Twitter page.
Mayweather of Decatur
Students help save
was initiated at Kennesaw
State University, Ashley
Thomas of Stone Mountain
was initiated at Kennesaw
State University, Danielle
the Earth during lunch
Marshall of Lithonia
was initiated at Fordham
University and John
Stanfield of Tucker was
initiated at The University
of Alabama.
These students are BY TAYLOR ROBINS Earth Day,” said DCSD not just lead the world, but
among approximately taylor@dekalbchamp.com Superintendent R. Stephen leave it a better place than
30,000 students, faculty, Green. “In a single lunch they found it.”
professional staff and On Earth Day, shift, we [showed] the DCSD has more than
alumni to be initiated celebrated April 22, DeKalb world that we are utilizing 100,000 students as of the
into Phi Kappa Phi this County School District and promoting innovative beginning of the 2018-2019
year. Membership is by practiced environmental practices in the lunchroom... school year.
invitation only and requires awareness by using Our students are ready to
nomination and approval biodegradable trays for the
by a chapter. Only the top day.
10 percent of seniors and According to the district,
7.5 percent of juniors are biodegradable trays break DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
eligible for membership. down faster and more
Graduate students in the top safely in landfills, reducing 1ST PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING
10 percent of the number environmental impact. FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020
of candidates for graduate “We are pleased to
announce that DeKalb
degrees may also qualify, Monday, May 6, 2019
as do faculty, professional County School District
staff and alumni who [joined] a worldwide effort TIME LOCATION
have achieved scholarly on April 22 in honor of 5:30 p.m. J. David Williamson Board Room
distinction. Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold a public budget
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE hearing to solicit feedback from the public regarding the 2019-
2020 school system’s budget. FY2020 DCSD budget development
The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice information can be found on the DeKalb County School District’s
that a Public Hearing will be held to receive public website at http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/superintendent/budget.
comment on a Conditional Use Application for 5363
Manor Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083, Parcel FOR INFORMATION, CALL THE OFFICE OF THE
#18 089 27 033. Conditional Use is requested for CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT 678-676-0069.
a special use permit – Church- within the Village
Center Mixed- Use (VCM) district.
The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public
Hearing on this matter on Tuesday, May 21, 2019
at City Hall located at 875 Main Street, Stone
Mountain, GA at 6:30 P.M. Anyone wishing to attend
the public hearing may do so and be heard relative
thereto.
 AROUNDDeKalb
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 12

DECATUR prepared by celebrity chef Maurice

Watchdogs host prison prevention
seminar
The Watchdogs for Justice Team
will conduct a free seminar May 4, 2-4
p.m. at the Wesley Chapel-William C.
Brown Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel
Road in Decatur.
The seminar will include interactive Food trucks are coming
skits, a discussion and question and
answer session on constitutional rights, Food Truck Thursdays with a special
what to do if stopped by the police and community celebration of Dunwoody’s at pop-up shops before the Mommy
the meaning of “3 strikes and you are 10th anniversary.
out.”
To register, call the library
at (404) 286-6980 or online at
dekalbcountylibrary/wesley
For additional information
call (678) 412-2299, email
watchdogsforjusice@gmail.
com, or visit our website at www.
watchdogsforjustice.org.
Fitness Day to benefit nonprofits
Jazzercise Decatur is celebrating
Jazzercise’s 50th anniversary with Fit
Family Fun Day, Saturday, May 4, 11
a.m. – 3 p.m. on the green in front of
114 New Street, Decatur. The event will
feature Jazzercise classes for children
of Monee-Rich Catering, followed
and adults, food, music, door prizes,
New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
at 7 p.m. For more information, visit
by comedian Tiny and rising star
health screenings, crafts, gifts, face www.stonecrestga.gov.
Cassandra.
painting and other activities. Proceeds
will benefit the Georgia Coalition forThere will also be a fashion show
featuring items from participating
Domestic Violence and Nicholas House. TUCKER
vendors, a charity auction to raise
funds for community programs, and City to host annual road race
DUNWOODY a sip and paint hosted by Canvas
Creations. Tucker will host its 62nd annual
Also featured will be road race May 11 from 8 a.m. to noon.
complimentary mini-pampering The 1-mile fun race, which costs $10,
The city of Dunwoody will kick off sessions and shopping opportunities will begin at 8 a.m., and the 5K road
race, which costs $25, will begin
Awards and a champagne dinner at 8:30 a.m. To register, visit www.
prepared by celebrity chefs Maurice itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=11663.
The event runs 5-9 p.m. May 2 with and Adrian of Monee-Rich Catering.
an array of food trucks and free live
The event will be held at The City to hold state of the city
music from Tribute. Atrium Event Center, 5479 Memorial address
Food Truck Thursdays will continue Drive in Stone Mountain. For
through the spring, summer and early additional information email info@
Tucker Mayor Frank Auman
fall until Oct. 24. truthandhealing.org or to purchase will deliver his third state of the city
tickets, visit www.truthandhealing.org address May 10 at 4 p.m. in the city
STONE MOUNTAIN council chamber in City Hall Annex.
The event will be followed by a happy
Day of pampering announced STONECREST hour reception at The Freakin Incan
on Main Street. City Hall Annex is
The Center for Truth and Healing City to hold state of the city located at 4228 First Avenue. For more
(CFTH) invites the community to
address information, visit www.tuckerga.gov.
indulge in a full day of Mother’s Day
treats May 12. The day will begin
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary will give
with a gourmet champagne brunch the state of the city address May 6 at

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RATES: $30 for up to 40 words, each Ads due by Friday at noon for next publication DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate,
or intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor do we knowingly accept
additional word $0.60. All ads are prepaid. All date. For more information visit www. employment advertisements that are not bona-fide job offers. All real estate
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BUSINESS
COUNTYWIDE
Holly Stewart says she’s proud to be successful in a male-dominated industry.
Moving company owner keeps on trucking with new franchise
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
Holly Stewart decided
nine years ago that the
corporate career path she
was on wasn’t right for her.
She made plans to go back
to school and get teaching
credentials. Along the way,
a detour became a change in
direction.
“I took a job as a
receptionist at Two Men and
a Truck until I could pull
my other plans together,
but I found that I enjoyed
working there so much that
I saw a new career path,”
said Stewart, who quickly
rose to a general manager
position. She now owns
multiple franchises with 13
truckers and a fleet of more
than 30 trucks. Her newest
franchise is on John Glenn
Drive in Chamblee, the
DeKalb location where she
started with the company in
2010.
“I’ve come full circle,”
she observed. “I even see
evidence in the records that
I was here before.”
Stewart said over the
years she has come to know
every aspect of the business.
“I’ve been a packer; I’ve
answered phones; I’ve been
a manager. The process
of relocating has a lot of
moving parts and every one
of them needs to operate
smoothly. I know that every
person in every job makes
a difference to the success
of the business.” She noted
that Two Men and A Truck
is now that largest moving
company in Georgia and,
said she has been proud to
grow with the business.
“Often people don’t
think of women running
trucking companies. As a
woman, I find it exciting
that I can succeed in a
male-dominated industry,”
she said, adding that her
successes have included
having a 100 percent referral
rating from her customers,
double digit growth, and
“bringing incredible strides
in staffing and retention to
DeKalb County.”
Steward said she
likes that hers is a service-
based industry. “People
need what we do. I get a
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 13
great deal of satisfaction
from being in this industry
because we’re helping
people through what is often
a stressful time in their
lives. “Moving is stressful
no matter the circumstances,
but it’s usually combined
with another stressful
situation—a new chapter
in their lives. Marriage,
graduation, divorce,
retirement are all reasons
that people move. Even
happy events such as
marriage are stressful, so
moving at the same time
brings on double stress.
That’s why I’m happy to
be there to say, ‘It’s OK;
we’re going to help you get
through this.’”
“We tell our employees,
‘do your best and have fun;’
and we hold them to both
sides. When our movers are
doing a good job and having
fun, it makes the day easier
Visit us online @
TheChampionNewspaper.com
for them and for the client.”
Stewart said she is now
leading a life she couldn’t
have imagined a few years
ago. “No child—a girl
especially—when asked,
‘What do you want to
do when you grow up?’
answers ‘run a trucking
company.’ But here I am,
and I love it.”
During its three-decade
existence, Two Men and
a Truck has emphasized
community service in all its
locations. Stewart said she
enthusiastically continues
that tradition, adding that
she plans to donate more
than $20,000 worth of
moving services to locally
based charities.   Truck® began operating
As Mother’s Day
approaches, she underscores
that her business will
participate in Movers for
Moms, a national Two
Men and a Truck program
to help mothers living in
shelters. The 11-year-old
program each year collects
soaps, hair-styling products,
shampoos and conditioners,
pillows, blankets, slippers
and other basic clothing
items and delivers them to
partnering domestic abuse
and homeless shelters in
time for Mother’s Day.
Despite the name, Two
Men and a Truck was started
30 years ago by a woman.
Mary Ellen Sheets founded
the company as after-school
work for her two sons.
The hand-drawn logo is
now familiar in more than
380 locations worldwide.
In 2019, Two Men and a
in 44 states with additional
growth expected in the
United States, Canada,
Ireland, and the United
Kingdom.
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
Three DeKalb alums drafted into NFL
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
Former DeKalb County
high school football players
will now play at the highest
level of football.
Three players from
the county were drafted
into the National Football
League April 25-29. Former
Stephenson Jaguar Montez
Sweat was the first DeKalb
alum to have his name
called in the draft.
The former Mississippi
State defensive end was
drafted 26th overall by
Washington in the first
round. Sweat, a 2014
graduate, finished his senior
year at Stephenson with
33 total tackles, six tackles
for a loss and one sack. He
also played basketball and
averaged 12.3 points, 8.1
rebounds and 1.4 blocks his
senior year.
At Mississippi State,
Sweat had 22 sacks in 26
career games, 101 tackles
BASEBALL
Five teams advance in
baseball playoffs
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
Five DeKalb County
baseball teams got closer
to competing for a state
championship after winning
their first round series
matches.
The Southwest DeKalb
Panthers won their first
playoff series in 41 years
after sweeping Clarke
Central at home in the
first round of the Class
AAAAA playoffs April 24.
The Panthers (18-4) won
both games of the best-of-
three series with a score
of 16-6. They will host
10th ranked Riverwood
Southwest DeKalb alum was drafted in
the second round by the Indianapolis
Colts with the 34th overall pick.
and 29.5 tackles for loss.
His 0.85 career sacks
per game ranked second
nationally among active
players, while his 22 sacks
were the second most
since the start of the 2017
season among Power 5
school players, according to
Mississippi State’s athletic
department. He finished
his college career tied for
(23-3) in the second round
with a doubleheader May
2 beginning at 2 p.m. If
necessary, a third game will
be played May 3 with a time
to be announced.
The no. 5-ranked
Decatur Bulldogs also
advanced in the Class
AAAAA playoffs after
sweeping Rome April 24.
The Bulldogs won the first
game 4-1 and completed
the sweep with a 10-0
shutout in the second game.
Decatur (26-6) will host
No. 9-ranked Walnut Grove
(19-9) in the second round
with a doubleheader May 2
at McKoy Park beginning
at 4:30 p.m. If necessary, a
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 14
Stephenson alum Montez Sweat was
drafted 26th overall by Washington in the the Chicago Bears in the sixth round with pick. The 2015 graduate
first round.
fifth on the school’s career
list for sacks and eighth for
tackles for loss.
Southwest DeKalb
High School 2015 graduate
Abdurrahman Ibn “Rock” region champion, three-
Ya-Sin was drafted in
the second round by the
Indianapolis Colts with
the 34th overall pick. The
defensive back was the
Dekalb County leader
third game will be played
May 3 at 6 p.m.
In Class AAAA, No.
3-ranked Marist and St. Pius
X advanced to the second
round. Marist (24-7) swept
Pickens County (6-4, 16-
10) April 24 and will travel
May 2 to face No. 9-ranked
North Oconee (20-6) in a
doubleheader beginning at
4:30. If necessary, a third
game will be played May 3
at 6 p.m.
St. Pius (12-20) swept
Troup County in two
games (6-2, 3-2) in the
first round April 24 and
will host Denmark (13-
15) in the second round
with a doubleheader May
Tucker alum Duke Shelley was drafted by round with the 205th overall
the 205th overall pick.
in interceptions (seven)
his senior year. He also
accumulated 42 total tackles scored three touchdowns.
in his senior year.
Ya-Sin was a three-time
time county champion and
two-time state champion
wrestler at Southwest
DeKalb. He played
football at Presbyterian
College for three seasons
The Southwest DeKalb Panthers advanced to the second round of the playoffs after
winning its first playoff series in 41 years after sweeping Clarke Central in the first
round. Photo by Carla Parker
2 beginning at 1 p.m. If
necessary, a third game will
be played May 3 at 4 p.m.
The Redan Raiders won
its best-of three series in
the first with a 13-11 win in
game 3 at Morgan County
April 25. The Raiders lost
the first game of the series
12-11 but rallied back to
win the second game 6-5.
before transferring to
Temple University in
2018. He finished third
in the American Athletic
Conference and tied for
14th in the nation in
passes defended (12). He
recorded a career-high 10
tackles vs. Tulsa and had an
interception.
Tucker High School
alum YaQuis “Duke”
Shelley was drafted by the
Chicago Bears in the sixth
finished his senior year at
Tucker with 31 total tackles,
nine pass breakups and three
interceptions. On offense,
he rushed for 324 yards and
At Kansas State,
Shelley started 37 games
at corner back and tied for
fourth in school history in
career interception-return
touchdowns (2). He was
named a Second Team All-
Big 12 performer by the
league’s coaches in 2018.
Due to potentially bad
weather, the Redan vs.
Fannin County game was
rescheduled; Redan (21-
11) traveled to face Fannin
County (23-6) in the second
round May 1. Scores were
not available by press time.
If necessary, the third game
is scheduled for May 2.
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 15

SOCCER

As a newborn, Sarah was casted from her toes to her hip to treat her club
foot. Photos provided by Pam Mason

Sarah Mason plays varsity soccer at Lakeside. Dr. Robert Bruce, left, used the Ponseti Method for Sarah Mason’s casting Sarah Mason had to wear a special shoes with a brace to treat her
and was the first orthopedic physician in Georgia to use the technique. clubfoot.

Lakeside soccer player overcomes clubfoot

Mason’s case as severe, comfortable, so that was clubfeet children,” she a normal person, so it’s
BY CARLA PARKER according to CHOA. After always a struggle. She liked said. “Especially when she something that we have to
Carla@dekalbchamp.com Mason was born, Pam said a to pop her feet out of the played soccer. She had a lot work on because the tighter
lot of work took place in the shoes. of foot pain.” the foot is, the more prone
Lakeside High School
first year of her life to treat “That first year was A few weeks after you are to injuries,” Pam
freshman soccer player
her condition. hard,” Pam added. “After surgery, Mason had a stress said. “She has to do a lot
Sarah Mason said it is hard
“You kind of go through that, she wore just the shoes fracture and had to wear a more stretching, more than
to believe that she is playing
the clubfoot protocol based for another year and then boot for a month. a normal kid would do.”
a sport that involves using
on your symptoms and how we were done until she After her recovery, Mason’s left calf and
her feet so much.
well you respond,” Pam turned 8.” Mason said she felt foot are smaller than her
That is because Mason
said. “[Sarah] was casted When Mason turned awesome. “I wasn’t on my right calf and foot because
was born with clubfoot.
from her toes to her hip. 8, her parents noticed her toes anymore,” she said. “I her left foot was severely
According to Mayo Clinic,
Every week they would feet were turning back in felt normal.” affected, and her right foot
clubfoot describes foot
change [the cast]. So, we and she was walking on her Mason, who started was moderately affected.
abnormalities in which a
did that for eight weeks toes. playing soccer at the age of Pam said she is grateful that
baby’s foot is twisted out of
and then her feet responded “It was at that point 4, now plays for Lakeside’s her daughter is thriving after
shape or position. Clubfoot
really well.” where she needed to have varsity team and for what she has been through.
is a common birth defect
According to CHOA, surgery to fix her feet,” Concorde Fire Soccer Club “Knowing that if she
and is usually an isolated
Bruce, who used the Ponseti Pam said. “To try to avoid during the summer. had been born 100 years
problem for an otherwise
Method for Mason’s casting, surgery we did things that “It’s weird that I’m before she wouldn’t be able
healthy newborn.
was the first orthopedic were recommended. She did [playing] a sport that to walk,” Pam said. “I’m
Mason’s mother Pam
physician in Georgia to use physical therapy and she involves my feet so much,” extremely grateful that the
said she was 22 weeks
the technique that today is a wore these braces at night. the 15-year-old said. “You technology is in place and
pregnant when it was
normal practice. Mason also None of that worked.” wouldn’t think that’s what [I for Dr. Bruce.”
discovered that Sarah
wore a special shoe with the Before her surgery, would] be doing.” Bruce, who is now the
had clubfoot. She was
brace until she was 1. Mason was an active Overcoming medical director of the
working in the recovery
“That part is hard child—participating in clubfoot gave Mason Neuromuscular Program at
room at Egleston hospital
because you have to wear soccer, gymnastics, dancing, some advantages and CHOA, said in a released
at the time and sought help
that 20 hours a day,” Pam swimming and karate. Pam disadvantages on the field. statement that Mason has
from orthopedic surgeon
said. “People asked [us] all said her daughter didn’t “My feet would turn in done remarkably well
Dr. Robert Bruce at
the time, ‘What’s wrong have any problems with her just a little bit and I think because of who she is.
Children’s Healthcare of
with her feet?’ and that part feet while participating in that helps make me a faster “She is just absolutely
Atlanta (CHOA) to handle
was hard. It’s hard for the those activities. sprinter because I’m able to so determined and won’t
her unborn daughter’s
children to get comfortable “She did complain start faster,” Mason said. accept anything less than
treatment.
in bed because their legs about foot pain, and foot “Her ankles are also the best,” he said.
Bruce described
are apart and they can’t get pain is pretty common for tighter than [those of]
LOCAL
Official accuses company of ‘destroying’ south river
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Carol Hayes, a Georgia Soil
and Water Conservation District
Supervisor for DeKalb, said she
ran for the conservation position
so she could help protect DeKalb’s
waterways and make a difference.
Hayes said her desire to protect
DeKalb’s waterways is the reason she
is accusing a company of violating
local and state laws near a site at
2700 Moreland Ave. in DeKalb.
In an email to The Champion,
Hayes said the company’s
practices are harmful to the nearby
environment and waterways.
“Since January of 2019 they
have been conducting illegal land
disturbance activities and tree
removal. They have never been
permitted nor submitted site plans for
soil disturbance activities, they have
committed numerous code violations,
been given stop work orders, and yet
they continue to wreak havoc on the
property,” Hayes said.
Hayes said the work done at the
site has caused polluting of the South
River and soil erosion. Hayes said
she believes Proterra Development,
a Marietta-based construction
company, may have been involved
in work at the site. Officials at
Proterra Development contacted
The Champion and said they were
not involved with work at the site
“whatsoever.” Alejandro Arenas, an
official with Proterra Development,
said consultants were called to offer
an opinion on how to resolve the
issue at the site after work began.
“Developers are doing something
they’re not supposed to be doing...
we don’t know who the developer
is because they never submitted
site plans,” Hayes said. “They have
polluted the South River in a horrible
way. The South River is a threatened
river that no one pays attention to.”
Felipe Castellanos, who
is listed as the CEO of Proterra
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • Page 16
Development, said he was hired by
Central Transport to expedite a land
development permit. Castellanos said
Proterra had no involvement with the
work at the site.
“That’s my only involvement in
this,” Castellanos said. “I was just
hired to get a permit for [Central
Transport].”
Castellanos said Central
Transport was attempting to prevent
future flooding at the site.
“Basically, what they have done
is erosion control due to extreme
flooding. The work they have done
was to prevent flooding. The owner
acted in an emergency because he had
flooding on his property,” Castellanos
said. “We have submitted payments
to [DeKalb County] and the state is
reviewing the information...right now
we’re waiting on the county.”
At press time, it was unclear
whether Central Transport submitted
site plans to DeKalb. As of April
25, a stop work order was issued
by DeKalb County Planning and
Sustainability Department and the
environmental compliance division.
A court appearance has been
scheduled for May 7.
“The developers involved had an
arrogant disregard for the offenses
they have committed and pretended
to be obtuse to the laws which they
have been breaking. I am hoping that
steep fines and perhaps the threat of
the loss of a business license might
rejuvenate their respect for the laws
of Georgia and DeKalb County,’
Hayes said.