cutline: Larry Calhoun, newly appointed President of Swainsboro Technical College, enjoys ice cream and fellowship with instructors and staff as they welcome him to Swainsboro Technical College.

"I look forward to the opportunity of working with everyone at Swainsboro Tech," commented Mr. Calhoun. "I was raised in this area and my wife and our daughters are from around here. We appreciate all the great work that has been done and are excited for what can be accomplished."

Pictured: President of Swainsboro Technical College, Larry Calhoun, welcomes students, faculty, and staff to the annual Spring Fest at Swainsboro Recreational Complex.

On Wednesday, May 2, the staff, faculty and students of Swainsboro Technical College celebrated "SPRINGFEST" at the Swainsboro Recreational Department on McLeod Bridge Road. The events started at 8:30 AM with a welcome speech from Larry Calhoun, President of Swainsboro Technical College, expressing his hopes that everyone would enjoy the day and his appreciation for the large attendance.

Some of the events and winners were: One Mile Walk: 1^st place Mindy Story; 2^nd place Chandler Woods; and 3^rd place Tiffany Williams; Chalk Art: 1^st place Jenkins County Center; 2^nd place Kiona Drummer; 3^rd place Tammy Williams; Hula-Hoop: 1^st place Amanda McKeehan; 2^nd place Anthony Woods; Horse Shoes: 1^st place team Ryan Kersey & Stephanie Waters; second place team Monik Kornn & Janene Betts; 1^st place individual Annie Mae Ball; 2^nd place individual Melissa Givens; Balloon Toss: 1^st place Lisa Dukes & Alneata Kemp; 2^nd place Agatha Terwilliger & Zola London; 3^rd place Bernedette  Williams & Shirley Newton; ; Free Throw Contest:1^st place Phillip Easterling; 2^nd place Alexandra Chrysosferidis; 3^rd place Tiffany Williams; Three Point Contest: 1^st place Michael Crumpler; 2^nd place Alexandria Chrysosferidis; and 3^rd place Randy Minton; Design-A- T-shirt: 1^st place Susan Godbee; 2^nd place Kiona Drummer; 3^rd place Bernadette Williams; Egg Roll: 1^st place Kathy Turner; 2^nd place Shirley Johnson; 3^rd place Latrona Fann.

Students on the President’s Advisory Council at Swainsboro Technical College and their Faculty Advisor, Jan Brantley sponsored the event. Arrangements were made with Lynn & Bobs Bar-B-Q Place for a lunch of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. A great time was had by all.

Photo Caption from Left to Right of CCR&R staff pictured with Bright from the Start Commissioner, Marsha Moore: Missy Collins, Sherry Rowland, Lacey Lanier, Marsha Moore, Angela Hines, Jean Scott, Jaclyn Winskie, and Ola Smith

Child Care Resource and Referral of East Central Georgia at Swainsboro Technical College staff Angela Hines, Jaclyn Winskie, Jean Scott, Lacey Lanier, Missy Collins, Ola Smith, and Sherry Rowland attended the Bright from the Start "Bright Beginnings, Promising Futures" Conference April 26 through 28 in Atlanta.

The conference began with the opening keynote session "How My Kindergarten Teacher Changed My Life" by Christina Parker, an authority on education, child development, and building resiliency for children and families. This session included a performance by the Atlanta Drumline, some of Atlanta’s finest young percussionists. The theme for the conference was "Preparing Georgia’s Children to Succeed." Participants attended keynote sessions; arts in education presentations; and a variety of workshops and sessions specifically designed for child care and early childhood education professionals, administrators, teachers, staff who work with children ages zero to five years old, and after school program employees. Angela Hines, Director of CCR&R, stated "the conference was an inspiration to all who attended. It reminded us of the influence that early childhood educators have on the futures of all children."

On the final day of the conference, Bright from the Start Commissioner, Marsha Moore, recognized CCR&R of East Central Georgia at Swainsboro Technical College as well as other CCR&R agencies in Georgia for achieving the Quality Assured status. The Child Care Aware Quality Assurance system is designed to ensure that families across the country have access to consistent, high quality services that support them in making informed child care choices.

CCR&R of East Central Georgia at Swainsboro Technical College serves seventeen counties: Emanuel, Candler, Treutlen, Johnson, Toombs, Montgomery, Appling, Wayne, Evans, Tattnall, Laurens, Wheeler, Dodge, Wilcox, Jeff Davis, Telfair, and Bleckley. For more information on CCR&R, you may call 877-495-9188 or visit the CCR&R website at http://ccrr.swainsborotech.edu.