Patel
Georgia Gwinnett College student Naiya Patel, 21, of Lilburn was recognized by the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents at its Academic Recognition Day event recently. During the annual event, students are recognized from each of the system’s 26 public colleges and universities. Students selected for this honor retain a high GPA, strive for academic excellence and demonstrate the ability to share expert knowledge in various areas.
Patel is a senior biology major set to graduate in May of 2022, just three short years after she enrolled at GGC. She says: “I took the maximum credits I could each semester and took a full summer load.”
Patel seeks to enter medical school with a dream of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon, focusing on the heart.
Her interest in medicine stems from her childhood, when she lived with her family in their native India. When Patel was in grade school, her family moved briefly to the U.S. and then back to the Indian city of Vadodara. There, she watched as her maternal grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, and her paternal grandfather would suffer from collapsing spells.
At the time, doctors in that region were a scarce resource. Her paternal grandfather’s condition was only diagnosed thanks to a chance meeting with one of those doctors, who, after watching her grandfather collapse, recognized the signs of a malfunctioning pacemaker and helped remedy the situation.
Patel’s family moved back to the U.S. as she was researching colleges. She selected GGC because of its small class sizes and the school’s strong sense of community.
Patel joined the school’s Honors Program and became active in GGC’s local chapter of the American Chemical Society. Consistent with GGC’s pillar of service, Patel served in the Student Government Association and moved up the ranks as president for 2021-22.
Although Patel is a high achiever, she’s also humble. “It was a surprise when I got the email about the award,” she says of being selected for Academic Recognition Day. “But I was really proud that I got the opportunity to represent GGC.”
Ragazino, Lee win STAR designation, advance to state finals
The winners of the Gwinnett Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) competition for 2022 have been announced. There are two system winners in Gwinnett who will move on to compete for the state title. They are James “Jimmy” Ragazino and teacher Lisa Cole from Buford High School, and Chungin “Roy” Lee and teacher Adam Sherman from Peachtree Ridge High School.
Partnership Gwinnett, in collaboration with the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Foundation, honored the recipients of the STAR awards. This event, presented by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, was held at the John C. Maxwell Leadership Center at 12Stone Church. In 2022, 44 students from 31 Gwinnett schools, both public and private, were awarded the STAR designation. For a list of this year’s STAR student and teacher recipients in each school, click here.
Live Healthy Gwinnett plans series of free health fairs
Live Healthy Gwinnett announced the lineup for a series of free community health fairs throughout 2022. The family-friendly events will include health screenings, expert speakers, activities and giveaways.
Themed health fairs will take place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as follows:
- Feb. 12: Heart Month at Lenora Park, 4515 Lenora Church Road, Snellville;
- May 21: Mental Health Month at Lucky Shoals Park, 4651 Britt Road, Norcross;
- July 30: Back to School Bash at Bogan Park, 2723 North Bogan Road, Buford; and
- Nov. 12: Diabetes Month at Rhodes Jordan Park, 100 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville.
Carion Marcelin, project coordinator of Live Healthy Gwinnett, says: “Our health fairs are a wonderful opportunity for residents to come out and have some fun while picking up great tips on how to be more active and eat better. It’s amazing that even the smallest changes to a person’s daily routine and their grocery shopping list can make a big difference in their overall well-being, both physically and mentally.”
- For more details, contact LiveHealthyGwinnett@GwinnettCounty.com or call 770.822.3197.
Hernandez wins first Character Award from SW Chamber
Hernandez
Applause came as Alexander Hernandez approached the stage in Peachtree Corners’ Atlanta Tech Park. The accomplished senior from GIVE Center West High School was presented the Southwest Chamber of Commerce’s first Character Award. It was created to recognize outstanding students whose attitude and actions embody the organization’s mission, passion, and commitment to excellence and community action.
The recognition came during the Chamber’s First Friday breakfast. A record crowd was in attendance for keynote speaker, Dr. Calvin Watts, superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools.
Dr. Donna Bishop, principal of GIVE Center West High School, recommended Alexander Hernandez because of his leadership- consistently displaying a strong work ethic, desire to learn, care and compassion for others, personal accountability and integrity. “Alexander models citizenship, fairness, trustworthiness and an incredibly positive attitude. He goes above and beyond to help his peers and his sense of responsibility guides his actions. He has a bright future ahead of him,” explains Bishop.
Hernandez serves as a peer leader, works after school with his mom and enjoys tweaking his computer and gaming in his free time. He aspires to own his own business that helps those in need. Dr. Charles Hawk, Give West Assistant Principal, praises Alexander for his belief that your upbringing or circumstances are less important than your will and determination to achieve.
Work begins on roundabout in Snellville on Feb. 22
Construction on the roundabout at Clower Street and Wisteria Drive in Snellville will begin February 22 as part of The Grove at Towne Center development project.
Construction is expected to be completed within three months. This is the first phase of several that will comprise roadway improvements on all four streets surrounding The Grove. All work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022.
Silt fencing will be erected along Wisteria Drive, followed by utility relocation, sidewalk replacement and construction of the actual roundabout – the city’s third. Traffic lanes will not be shut down at any point during the construction but there will be periods of minor delays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Snellville Police Department’s entrance at the corner of Clower Street and Wisteria Drive will remain open throughout the construction.
The city awarded a contract to build the roundabout late last year. The $1.6 million contract to low bidder Ohmshiv of Lawrenceville also includes right in/right out access at North and Oak roads and curb/sidewalk improvements on all roads in the development. The cost of the construction will come from Special Local Option Sales Tax funds.
North Road from Oak Road to Wisteria Drive will be changed from a one-way to two-way street and a new signal will be added at the Wisteria Drive and North Road intersection.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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