Today, PHS students were inspired by motivational speaker Kevin Atlas. Standing nearly seven feet tall and with his left arm amputated just below the elbow, Kevin faced significant adversity throughout his life. Born and raised in the Bay Area of California, he grew up in a split-custody household, endured the early death of his father, and faced countless critics.
Despite these challenges, Kevin rose to become one of the top high school basketball players in California. After spending a postgraduate year at a military school in Virginia, he earned a full athletic scholarship to join the Manhattan College Jaspers in New York City. In doing so, Kevin made history as the first disabled athlete to receive a full Division I scholarship in NCAA basketball.
Kevin's story is one of resilience, determination, and triumph in the face of adversity, and he shared his powerful journey with our students today.
Congratulations to these Senior Superlatives!
Perfect Attendance for October!
Dragon Digest - October
Congratulations Landon!
HOSA hosted a blood drive on Halloween and helped with the donation of 35 pints of blood. This will help up to 105 people! Thank you to our teacher, staff and student body for saving lives today!
Mrs. Gibbons' Culinary Art Class has been busy learning to carve pumpkins.
Congratulations to Teacher of the Month Angela Lemley and Staff Member Tonya Ellis! Thank you both for your dedication and the positive impact you have on our school community. We appreciate all that you do!
Congratulations to our PHS Academic Team members for the Varsity and JV victories over Fannin County yesterday. Way to go, guys! Our next meet is Monday in Towns County.
The PHS Partners Club is collecting small toys for the children victims of Hurricane Helene. Click HERE to view the items that have been requested for donation. These items can be dropped off in rooms 204 (Mrs. Coker) or 410 (Ms. Champion) beginning Monday, 10/28, through Friday, 11/8.
1) Southern Appalachian Needs and Good Deeds - This drive is collecting much needed items for Hurricane Helene Victims, specifically in the area of WNC (Western North Carolina). View the flyer to see what items you can donate to help out. This drive will begin on Monday, 10/28, and will end on Friday, 11/8. Student volunteers will be stationed in the Concession Stand outside of the Old Gym each morning to take up donations before 1st period starts. You can always drop off donations in Ms. Champion's room (410) throughout the day.
Special shoutout to Mr. Koltyn Payne for initiating this at PHS and for naming the supply drive!
PHS Poultry Evaluation Team preparing to leave for national competition in Indianapolis.
Notice: Prom Date Change
Apply to college week!
Senior Week!
Allied Health hosted a health fair today to promote health/wellness. They were able to educate 5 other CTAE classes on the importance of good health. Topics included: mental health, exercise, CPR, dental hygiene, sleep, stress reduction and infection control.
Yesterday HOSA leadership went to the Fall Rally at Six Flags to strengthen bonds in the leadership team and prepare for the year to come!
PHS is proud to share the exciting news that after an incredibly challenging and competitive application process, one of PHS's finest, Ms. Emma Christensen, has been selected as a Finalist for the 2024 QuestBridge National College Match! She will move on to the next phase where she will be considered for early admission and a full four-year Match Scholarship to the ten elite schools that she ranked. QuestBridge has 52 college partners that include some of the nation's best colleges such as Yale, Harvard, Emory, Johns Hopkins, Brown, and Columbia to name a few. Join us in congratulating Ms. Emma in achieving this accomplishment and supporting her as she moves on to the next phase of this competitive program
Pickens High's class of 2024 beat the national average on the ACT in every subject area, as well as in the average composite. The district's highest scores were in reading. Pickens High's class of 2024 recorded an average reading score of 22.1, compared to the national average of 20.1.
Congratulations to Emily Fellenbaum, Natalie Coker and Valerie Boehm from Pickens High School on being recipients of the EMC Bright Ideas Program. Amicalola EMC will award a total of $47,381 to 67 winning teachers at 30 schools across the Amicalola EMC service area.
Thank you Amicalola EMC!!
