CARROLLTON, GA — Carrollton Upper Elementary English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher, Jessica Maston, is one of 58 teachers across the state to be recognized as an outstanding ESOL educator who positively impacts students’ lives in her school and community.

Each year, the Georgia Department of Education awards teachers with the ESOL Exemplary Teacher honor. ESOL is the state-funded language instruction educational program for eligible English Learners (ELs) in grades K-12 in Georgia public schools. Recipients serve as model educators, pursuing opportunities to improve their instruction. As an ESOL teacher, Maston focuses on developing her ELs’ academic English proficiency to support success in school.

Maston is finishing her 19th year teaching and brings a wealth of knowledge to the classroom. Having taught in linguistically diverse areas in California and the suburbs of Chicago, her vast experience has enabled her to empower her students over the last three years with Carrollton City Schools.

CUES Principal Tabitha Walker said Maston is incredibly deserving of this honor.

“Mrs. Maston never hesitates to go above and beyond for her students. She helps them develop their language skills to move forward with confidence, both in and out of the classroom,” said Walker. “Her commitment to pursuing professional development opportunities and implementing innovative teaching practices demonstrates her dedication to her role and students.” 

Pictured from left are Carrollton Upper Elementary ESOL teacher Jessica Maston and CUES Principal Tabitha Walker.  

CARROLLTON, GA — Carrollton High School graduates of the Class of 2025 received more than $35 million in scholarship offers from colleges and universities.

The majority of the awards were offered by educational institutions, but there also were private awards presented by individuals and nonprofit entities, including the Carrollton City Schools Education Foundation.

Though many students earned awards for academic success, five graduates were presented $10,000 from the REACH Scholarship program for their commitment to academic achievement. The REACH Georgia Scholarship program promises students the support they need to graduate from high school and achieve postsecondary success. This year, five recipients will receive $10,000 scholarships to attend a Georgia college or university as a reward for successfully completing the mentoring/support program: Erick Castro, Niyla Denson, Yeilin Maldonado Maldonado, Maylen Reyes Velasquez, and Edelis Varela Maldonado. 

CHS emphasizes a focus on academics, arts, and athletics, and has produced a variety of scholarship offers that recognize the outcome of this focus. Five students received significant scholarships for their academic excellence: Tylde Alexander received multiple scholarships to Troy University totaling $120,000; Grady Bush received the Out-of-State Presidential Elite Scholarship to the University of Alabama at Birmingham worth $114,500; Vito Cappiello received the Odyssey Scholarship from the University of Chicago covering $372,000; Presley Mashburn received Jacksonville University’s Academic Scholarship totaling $147,348; and Jacob Ricks received HBCU Week Foundation’s AstraZeneca Scholarship covering $132,000 over four years, to support his education at Howard University.

Of the 418 graduating seniors in the Class of 2025, 85 percent of graduates plan to attend a two–or four-year college, 15 percent will enter the workforce, and 2 percent are enlisting in the military. More than 64 percent of graduates earned credits for accelerated enrollment, including dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, and/or International Baccalaureate. In preparation for their futures, 370 seniors completed career pathways through Career, Technical and Agricultural Education classes. 

CHS Principal Ian Lyle congratulated the students on their accomplishments.

“The Class of 2025 leaves an impressive legacy at Carrollton High School,” said Lyle. “I am eager to follow their future journeys and am confident they will continue to make us proud.”

Carrollton High School Class of 2025 graduate Jairus Fortune (left) and rising senior Jake Preston (right) celebrate after graduation. 

CARROLLTON, GA— Within the strong group of academic seniors graduating from Carrollton High School this year, two students earned the prestigious titles of valedictorian and salutatorian. Daija Preston earned the top honor — valedictorian —for finishing her career at CHS with the highest average, while Ryan Parcels was recognized for earning the second-highest average to be designated the salutatorian for the Class of 2025. 

Earning these titles means the students must have the highest grade point averages, with the requirements of successfully completing 10 or more Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate classes, including Spanish IV and either AP Calculus or AP Chemistry, or be a full IB diploma student. 

Daija’s academic accomplishments earn her this distinction. The ability to balance a rigorous academic schedule while being a leader on the girls' basketball team demonstrates the impressive level of performance at which she operates. Serving as a team captain for the past two years, Daija led her teammates, encouraging them to strive for excellence in the classroom and on the court. Throughout her years at CHS, she was a member of National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society and was recognized for numerous honors, including a Governor’s Honors Program nomination, the University of Rochester’s George Eastman Young Leaders Award, and Georgia State School Superintendent's School Advisory Council nomination. With 22 scholarship offers totaling nearly $5.6 million, Daija chose to continue her academic and athletic pursuits at Virginia Commonwealth University on a full basketball scholarship, where she will study engineering. Daija is the daughter of Demeatric Preston and Troy Breece.

Ryan, the son of Lorna and Eric Jens and Richard Parcels, will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall to study Mechanical Engineering. Throughout his high school years, he actively participated in several organizations, such as National Honor Society, Secretary of State Student Ambassadors, Anchor Club, Spanish Honor Society, Technical Honor Society, and Key Club. As a freshman and sophomore, Ryan also played baseball for the Trojans. His junior year was particularly notable, as he received the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit and the Presbyterian College Junior Fellows award, and served as a Junior Honor Marshal. As he prepares to transition into the next chapter, Ryan’s achievements and aspirations position him for success in academics and all that he pursues.

Voted by their classmates to receive the “Most Intellectual” superlatives, Daija and Ryan have stood out for their academic prowess amongst their peers before this determination. Both said they are honored and excited to address their class during speeches at graduation this Friday, May 16. 

CHS Principal Ian Lyle said he knows these two students will continue to make an impact. 

“Daija and Ryan are well-rounded students who excel across the board, and I have no doubt they will continue to do so after graduating from Carrollton High School,” said Lyle. “As leaders in the school, they have set the standard for academic excellence. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments.” 
 

Carrollton High School’s Class of 2025 valedictorian is Daija Preston (right). The salutatorian is Ryan Parcels (left).