Names, Ages, and Schools: Matt Anderson, 18 NOHS  Allison Barnes, 18 NOHS  Cole Daniel, 17 OCHS Garrett Hibbs, 18 OCHS Michele Moncrief, 18, NOHS Accomplishment: These five graduating seniors were selected to work at Jekyll Island 4-H Center this summer. Key to Awesomeness: Arch Smith, State 4-H Leader and Director of Georgia 4-H, says it is young people like these who have helped Georgia 4-H’s camping program gain a national reputation for excellence.  “Georgia 4-H is fortunate to have one of the strongest summer camping programs in United States.  “The ninety young people we hire to work as…

Names and Ages: Ashlyn, 11, Sydney, 9, and Scott, 4, Fairchild School: Home-school students in Oconee County Accomplishments: The children love animals and art. In 2007, the girls made Christmas ornaments, donated all of the proceeds from the sale to the local animal shelter and Heartfull Art was born. The kids have donated art for silent auctions benefiting local animal causes. They have also been commissioned to create pet portraits and have donated those funds, too. Key To Awesomeness: Parents Rachael and John say, "Weare proud that our kids care about animals so much. Our own pets are …

Name: Zain Qureshi  School: 5th grader at Rocky Branch Elementary School Accomplishment: Seventy-four fifth- and sixth-grade Oconee County 4-H members joined and competed in the Northeast District Project Achievement held at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center.  At the competition, they presented a demonstration on a topic of interest to them.  Oconee County 4-H received special awards for greatest percentage of winners and the highest number of participants in the contest of which over 400 4-H members competed. Zain Qureshi's speech about tsunamis won first place in the General Science Project …

Name: Tyler Gilland Age: 13 School: 8th grader at Malcom Bridge Middle School Accomplishments: During the summer of 2011, Tyler spent a week of hiking and mountain climbing in Seattle with Boy Scout Troop 3537.  Last December, he organized his Troop to place Christmas lights on the Elder Mill Covered Bridge.  His goal is for this to be an annual project for him and his fellow Scout members. Key to Awesomeness: Tyler is a hard worker, respectful of others, and always willing to lend a helping hand.    Correction: We regret the misspelling of Tyler's name in the original headline.  It has been …

Name: Seth Williams Age: 18 School: Senior at Oconee County High School Accomplishment: Seth has been a scout since he joined Cub Scout Pack #80 while in the first grade at Colham Ferry Elementary School. He left as the most decorated cub scout at that time, including achieving Cub Scouts' highest award, the "Arrow of Light." He crossed over into Boy Scouts when he started at Oconee County Middle School by joining Troop #149. In 2010, the troop grew so large, they had to split, so he moved with the new Troop #537, sponsored by Briarwood Baptist Church. One requirement needed to become an …

Name: Griffin Billings Age: 6 School: Oconee County Primary School Greatest Accomplishment: Beating cancer! Griffin was diagnosed with leukemia at age 3 1/2. He underwent chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. His last day taking medication was in May 2010! For the courage and strength he demonstrated while battling and overcoming illness, Griffin was recently gifted a custom-crafted M.Y. Playhouse donated by New Life Apostolic Church. Key to Awesomeness: Griffin is a scientist at heart. He wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up! He loves to read animal encyclopedias! He also …

Name: Myles Litts Age: 14 School: Oconee County High School Accomplishments: Miles is an avid soccer player who enjoys volunteering at church and in the school clubs DECA and Peer Helpers. He participates in Jr. Beta Club and is in all honors classes.  He's been awarded "Brave of the quarter" more than once. He has also received the EPOCHS award and the OCMS Lawrence M. Scotland Award. Myles has also been awarded a page in the Oconee County High School yearbook as "Spotlight" freshman. Key to Awesomeness: Myles' future intention is to acquire an appointment to the United States Airforce …

Name: Blake Wiley School: Recent graduate of Oconee County High School Accomplishment: Upon his graduation, Blake decided to create his life. He was not sure whether he wanted to go to college, but he was ready to evolve into a man with a marketable skill for life.   He chose to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.  Key to Awesomeness: This whiz kid (on his way to becoming a man) used to enjoy reading, video games and tabletop war games. Now he is taking charge of his own destiny. Blake jokes that he is "good at moving heavy things" and his dream car is "one with a 'forever full' tank of…

Name: Danielle Della Torre Age: 12 School: Oconee County Middle School Accomplishments: Danielle is a very dedicated competitive swimmer who holds county and state records and is nationally ranked in swimming. Key to Success: Danielle is very determined and dedicated. She practices her swimming daily and has learned how to use time wisely.  She completes her school work and continues to maintain good grades. She also loves the outdoors. 

Name: Bailey Guthrie Age: 14 School: Sophomore at Oconee County High School Accomplishment: Bailey was named the first place winner in the Georgia 4-H Photography Contest.  Bailey’s photo “Ultimate Temptation” was the winner of the Focus on 4-H:  Youth category.  Her photo will go on to compete for prize money and ribbons at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, October 6-16, 2011. Bailey’s photo and the other winners can be viewed at:  http://georgia4h.org/photocontest/default.htm Key To Awesomeness: Bailey's key to awesomeness is her attention to detail – she always makes sure everything is …

Name: Nathan Reyner Age: 9 School:  Fourth grader at Rocky Branch Elementary School. Accomplishment: Nathan recently completed Ironkids Triathlon in Alpharetta, held on Sept. 11. Key To Awesomeness: Nathan says that his key to awesomeness is to always do his very best and just keep going...

Name: Anna Barnett Age: 10 School: 5th grader at High Shoals Elementary  Accomplishment: Anna is a philanthropist disguised as a normal kid. She enjoys helping others. She has volunteered her time to help with the Susan G Komen Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and World Vision. Anna has played soccer for the Oconee Futbol Club and is currently taking gymnastics with Force Cheerleading. She is a straight 'A' student who loves summer camp, surfing, Georgia Football and spending time with friends and family. Key to Awesomeness: Anna lives by the motto of, "Be yourself and treat others in…

Name: Lauren Strawn Age: 18  School: Homeschooled for her senior year of high school. (Previously attended Oconee County High School) Accomplishment: Lauren learned to play the piano by ear. She is entirely self taught. During this process, she discovered that she can hear music and convert the sound to written chords or play it back by memory. This gift has launched Lauren's career. She is the winner of the 104.7 The Fish contest for Opening Act at Celebrate Freedom Atlanta held on Saturday Sept. 3, scoring a $10,000 prize, $10,000 for her church and $1,000 worth of merchandise from Ken …

Name: Amy Reyner School: 8th grader at Malcom Bridge Middle SchoolAccomplishment:  Amy dances ballet, pointe, hip hop, lyrical, tap at Alice DePass Studio of Dance. In addition to dancing, Amy plays the piano and participates in the school chorus, Jr. Beta Club,  Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and her church youth group. Amy is also a soloist with Encore Dance Theatre.Key To Awesomeness: The stamina it takes to perform at Amy's level is truly unique, but so is Amy. Performing with charm and grace, all that work with her agree that Amy is as beautiful inside as she is on the outside.

Name:  Luke Forester Age: 9 1/2 School: 4th grader at Oconee County Elementary School Accomplishment: Luke is an "all around great kid!" He plays baseball, basketball, and golf. He enjoys jumping on the trampoline and hanging out with his brother and friends.  He loves spending time with his dog, Chloe, and teaching her tricks.  He is a huge University of Georgia football fan and loves going to a couple games each fall.  Key to Awesomeness: When asked what his key to awesomeness is, Luke replied, "My key to awesomeness is having good friends and playing sports!"

Name: Jack Edelen Age: 13 School: Oconee County Middle School Accomplishment: Jack has been a member of the Georgia Diving Club for 2 years. He has made it to USA Diving Regional Meets, USA Diving Zone meets and even had a qualifying score to go to the AAU National Meet. Key to Awesomeness: Jack works hard every day at practice and as learned enough dives to be able to compete in the 14 and 15-year-old age group.  Jack is a great example of what an athlete should be! He works hard, listens, makes corrections, has a positive attitude, and is now one of the leaders on the team.  Jack's secret …

Name: Meghan Hovell School: Sophomore at North Oconee High School Accomplishments: Meghan has been involved with Relay for Life as a team member for her church and school teams for a number of years (both in Naples, FL and here in Oconee).  This year, she decided to start a "friends and family team" consisting of a group of (then) high school freshman as well as some families with whom she had developed friendships through babysitting their young children.  FACT (Friends Attacking Cancer Together) is an eclectic mix of people (17 months to 50+) -- but it works! Meghan's team embraced a "total…

Name:Rachael Buffa School:  6th grader at Oconee County Middle School Accomplishments: Rachael is a gymnast through and through! She is always performing, even when she is not competing with her teammates at Oconee Gymnastics Center. She loves to read, travel, hang out with her friends, participate in church and go swimming, but gymnastics is her passion. Rachael is also very involved with the community. She has participated in the Relay for Life, 4-H, The Art Club, student council, been a media center assistant, and has helped to feed needy families. Key to Awesomeness: Rachael has had a …

Name: Taylor Alexander Age: 10 School: Rising fifth grader at Oconee County Elementary School Whiz Kid Accomplishment: Taylor is a terrific student whose favorite subject is advanced math. She has a particular niche for fashion design and shows her artistic creativity by sketching unique outfits. Taylor is a ballerina as well as an adept soccer player for the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department. She has taken ballet lessons for five years and is well ahead of the game. She strives to get in pointe shoes as early as possible. Key to Awesomeness: Taylor is not afraid to try new things…

Name: Hollis Eversole Age: 5 School: Rising kindergartner at Oconee County Primary School Accomplishment: On July 16, at a multi-family yard sale on her street, Hollis earned $16.50 selling lemonade. She plans to donate the money to help animals in need "just like when she adopted her cat Lucy." Key To Awesomeness: Hollis is bold and bright. She is outgoing and curious. She loves to read, visit her grandparents and hug her dog, Riley. On a recent trip to Disney World, she saw all of her favorite princesses but missed her pet fish back home. Clearly Hollis is an animal lover with a big heart …