Norcross, Meadowcreek Students Picked for Governor's Honors Program

Eleven students from the schools will spend four weeks on the campus of Valdosta State University, where they will be able to study subjects of their choosing.

Eleven students from Meadowcreek High and Norcross High have been picked as finalists in the Governor's Honors Program (GHP). They are among nearly 100 Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) gifted and talented juniors and seniors who will spend part of their summer taking a rigorous, in-depth look at an area of their interest. Representing 14 of the district’s high schools, the Gwinnett students will learn from the most qualified Georgia high school teachers in this challenging and enriching program. Nearly 3,000 students from across the state were interviewed and auditioned over three weekends in January and February. From those nominees, 690 finalists were chosen to participate in the 2013 program. The finalists at the Norcross-area …

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NHS Foundation Spring Gala Draws Hundreds

Three honorees were recognized at the Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence annual fundraising event.

On a clear spring evening Norcross High School supporters crowded the registration table to collect their tickets and name tags for the Annual NHS Foundation's Spring Gala held at The Fields Club on Friday. It's the biggest event of the year for the NHS Foundation of Excellence which raises funds to support the school's academic, athletic and art departments. Some 465 people attended the outdoor event that was staged under the stars at the Peachtree Corners subdivision's pool and recreation area with live music provided by resident Terry Evans and his six-piece band, Terry Lee & the GT's. "It was a very successful event Friday," said Weare Gratwick, one of the foundations board members. "We raised over $96,000 this year; a significant …

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Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame to Recognize NHS

A special award will be given to Norcross High for its athletic program in June.

Norcross High School is receiving a special award for its athletic program from the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame. According to the Gwinnett Daily Post, the award comes after a a successful year for the school. NHS became the first school in the Georgia High School Association program to win the Class AAAAAA titles in football, boys basketball and girls basketball in the same academic year. Norcross will be recognized at the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on June 22, which will take place at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. Check out the GDP article for more details. For tickets, visit www.atlantasportshalloffame.org. See also: Don’t miss any Norcross news. Subscribe to Norcross Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook …

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Exchange Student at NHS Thanks Community, Host Family

Thea Nielsen from Denmark has spent the past year living with her host family in Peachtree Corners and attending Norcross High School.

by Thea Nielsen My name is Thea Nielsen and I'm a World Heritage Exchange Student from Denmark. This past year I've been living in Peachtree Corners with my wonderful host family and I have been attending Norcross High School. I almost can't begin to describe how amazing this past year has been for me and I really had the experience of a lifetime! I have really enjoyed talking to my classmates, my American family and all the people I've met, about the differences in Denmark, and I loved learning about the American culture. I feel like I have really become a part of your community and that is because everyone has been so incredibly friendly and open to me. I would not have had the amazing time that I've had were it not for the many students…

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Norcross, Meadowcreek Make Top Schools List

The schools have been named two of the state's most challenging high schools by The Washington Post.

The Washington Post recently posted its rankings of America's most challenging high schools, and two Norcross schools made top marks for the state of Georgia. Both Norcross High and Meadowcreek High made the list. The Blue Devils school ranked No. 6 in the state, while the Mustangs reached No. 23. Over the last few years, Norcross has been traveling up the list while Meadowcreek has declined. Last year, Norcross was No. 7, and in 2011 it ranked at No. 14; Meadowcreek was No. 21 in 2012 and No. 19 the year before. According to the article, the ranking is based on an index formula that's a ratio: the number of Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given each year …

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NHS Unveils New 'Blue Devil Plaza'

Students, faculty, parents and school supporters gathered Tuesday afternoon to officially dedicate the newly constructed student courtyard.

Norcross High School students now have a new after-school place to hang out - and it's been designed just for them. Located in the area surrounding the flag pole on the front right of the school, the "Blue Devil Plaza," which was named by Jazmine McDonald, a NHS senior, was officially dedicated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, April 16, 2013. It features a paved area with a number of outdoor benches and large rocks for sitting and newly planted trees for shade. The former grassy area went un-used before Bob Chapin, former co-president of the Norcross High School Foundation of Excellence (a non-profit fund raising group for the school) and several other board members decided to put their heads together to see if they transform …

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NHS Offering $20 Physicals for All Student Athletes

Students can get physicals for the upcoming school year on Saturday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Blue Devils Basketball Player Commits to University of Central Florida

Point guard Brandon Goodwin of Norcross High has been added to the 2013 recruiting class.

Brandon Goodwin of Norcross High recently announced his commitment to the University of Central Florida for the fall. According to the OrlandoSentinel.com, the Blue Devils basketball player confirmed his decision after a weekend visit to UCF.  "[It’s] been a long ride but [I’m] committing to the University of Central Florida #UCF #Knights, very excited for the future," Goodwin wrote from his Twitter account. He also was being pursued by Ole Miss, Auburn, Houston and Western Kentucky, according to the website. In the Class AAAAAA state championship game in March, Goodwin helped the boys team win the title and beat Hillgrove by scoring 22 points, with a final score of 60-48. See also: Don’t miss any Norcross news. Subscribe to Norcross Patch…

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Paralyzed NHS Grad Continues Recovery After Running Injury

Norcross High graduate Charles Tumulak became paralyzed from the neck down after being injured in an obstacle course run in South Carolina. He arrives at Atlanta's Shepherd Center this week, where he will receive further treatment.

Family and friends will welcome a Lilburn man back to the area this week, as he begins the next phase of recovery following a traumatic injury more than two weeks ago. Charles Tumulak, 46, was competing in an obstacle course run on March 23 in South Carolina when he lost his balance on a cargo net climb and fell 15 feet -- head first -- on the ground below. Now, the avid runner is paralyzed from the neck down.  Since that fall, Tumulak has been at the McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, S.C., receiving treatment. This week, he is expected to arrive at the Shepherd Center here in Atlanta, where a team of doctors specialized in spinal cord injuries will work with him. "Having him in Atlanta and at Shepherd Center is the next phase of…

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