Highlights from the November Board Recognitions

The Baldwin County School District was proud to shine a spotlight on the remarkable talents, achievements, and commitment of our students and schools during the November Board Recognitions.

Each month, this special portion of our Board meetings allows us to pause and honor the young leaders, scholars, and educators who embody what it means to Believe in Baldwin. November’s recognitions were filled with pride, applause, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Baldwin High School Musicians Earn District Honors

The evening opened on a high note as we recognized five exceptional Baldwin High School band students for being selected to the District XI Honor Jazz Band. Congratulations to Presley Anderson, Tristen Ingram, Tayton Wright, Antonio Todd, and Epalahame Tonga Taylor for earning this prestigious distinction.

Their dedication to their craft, hours of practice, and passion for music serve as a powerful example of what our students can achieve when talent meets opportunity. We are so proud of these young musicians and the directors who support them.

Future Leaders Step Forward in Youth Leadership Baldwin

Next, we celebrated a group of Baldwin High School students who have been chosen to serve in the 2025–2026 Youth Leadership Baldwin Program. This program selects emerging leaders from across the county and prepares them for meaningful civic engagement through mentorship, service projects, and hands-on learning. Our students continue to rise to the challenge, and their selection speaks volumes about their character, initiative, and commitment to their community. We cannot wait to see how they lead Baldwin into the future.

Lakeview Academy’s Million-Word Readers Hit a Major Milestone

One of the most exciting highlights of the evening was honoring two Lakeview Academy students who reached an extraordinary literacy achievement. Aaron Sherwood and Sadie Yates were celebrated for reading one million words so far this school year. This milestone reflects not only a love of reading but also perseverance, curiosity, and a genuine excitement for learning. Their accomplishment represents the heart of our districtwide Baldwin Reads initiative, which encourages students to discover the joy and power of reading every single day.

Celebrating School-wide Achievements Across the District

In addition to individual recognitions, we proudly honored several schools for exemplary performance and outstanding commitment to school culture.

Midway Hills Primary earned this month’s Stop-the-Prop Award, recognizing their commitment to school safety procedures and consistent attention to keeping our campuses secure.

Lakeview Academy celebrated another major achievement by earning the #1 ranking in student attendance, with an impressive 95.92% attendance rate. High attendance reflects a strong school community, positive classroom environments, and students who are excited to learn.

Georgia College Early College (GCEC) was recognized for having the highest employee attendance rate, a reflection of the staff’s dedication to showing up for students every day and fostering a culture of reliability and excellence.

Oak Hill Middle School Girls Cross Country Earns 1st Place

The Board was thrilled to recognize the Oak Hill Middle School Girls Cross Country Team for being named 1st Place Champions. Their hard work, discipline, and teamwork paid off in a major way this season. This victory reflects not only athletic talent but the strong culture of perseverance and sportsmanship at Oak Hill.

James Lassetter Named Administrator of the Year

A proud moment for the district came with the recognition of James Lassetter, who was named the 2025–2026 GMEA Administrator of the Year by the Georgia Marketing Education Association. This award honors his outstanding leadership, commitment to student success, and continued advocacy for strong and innovative career pathways. We celebrate Mr. Lassetter for his dedication and the positive impact he makes across our schools.

Believe in Baldwin.

Recognizing National Family Engagement Month

The Board also formally recognized November as National Family Engagement Month 2025, honoring the vital role families play in supporting learning, growth, and student success. We are grateful for our families who partner with us every day and help strengthen the bridge between home and school.

Celebrating School Psychology Awareness Week

We closed this portion of the meeting by acknowledging School Psychology Awareness Week, recognizing the essential contributions of our district’s school psychologists. Their work helps ensure that students receive academic, emotional, and behavioral support tailored to their individual needs. We appreciate their expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication to student well-being.

Honoring Our REACH Georgia Scholars

One of the most inspiring recognitions of the evening celebrated this year’s Baldwin County REACH Georgia Scholars: Ja'Leah Coverson, Jayven Norman, Hayven Queen, Tymra Seals, and Jamie Trippel.

REACH Georgia is the state’s first needs-based mentorship and college scholarship program. Its mission is to ensure that Georgia’s academically promising students receive the academic, social, and financial support necessary to graduate from high school, access college, and achieve postsecondary success.

These scholars are shining examples of perseverance, academic promise, and commitment to their future goals. We are incredibly proud of them and honored to support their journey.

Each of these recognitions tells a powerful story about the work happening across our district. From musicians and leaders to readers and committed educators, we are inspired daily by the achievements of our Baldwin family. Congratulations to all honorees, and thank you for continuing to make Baldwin County proud.