View All News

For Elices Washington III, a career in education began with a question. It was the winter of 2017, just after the presidential election, when two of Washington’s younger cousins asked him to explain how the Electoral College worked. Washington, who had studied political science and history and had always been interested in government and politics, walked them through it.

Teaching was never part of Luein Reeves’ original plan.

He liked being outside. He enjoyed sports. During college, he worked in the garden center at Lowe’s and spent time working at a summer camp. Then one day, someone noticed something Reeves hadn’t quite recognized in himself. “You’re really good with kids,” the person told him. “Have you ever thought about working at a school?”

Dana Peterson came to Oak Hill Middle School as a student teacher.

Eighteen years later, she still hasn’t left.

For Oak Hill’s 2026 Teacher of the Year, that longevity says a lot about both the school she chose and the kind of educator she has become there.

Originally from Warner Robins, Sapp came to Milledgeville for college after touring several universities. Georgia College’s smaller, more personal atmosphere won her over. As she got to know Milledgeville beyond the college campus, she discovered another side of the community, too.

There’s nothing quite like the sound of Braves Stadium on Oconee Classic day.

The music. The drums. The cheers from the stands. And, of course, some of the best high school marching bands in Georgia taking the field one after another. This year, Baldwin High School once again welcomed bands, families, and fans from across the state for the annual Oconee Classic Marching Band Competition, turning Braves Stadium into a full-day celebration of music, talent, and community.