CARROLLTON, GA — Carrollton High School computer science students raise the bar once again by creating an app to help users navigate the Carrollton GreenBelt. In January, students in the program began a semester-long project focused on providing community solutions.

The planning, development, and publication of this app allowed students to learn more about local resources and consider how their work can positively impact others.

Reese Boss, a class of 2025 graduate, served as the lead developer and led the project before passing the reins to rising junior Juliet Browning to incorporate the finishing touches in time for summer break. Both Reese and Juliet have been involved with the computer science program throughout their time at CHS.

Robby Blakemore, CHS computer science teacher, challenges his classes to identify real-world situations that can benefit from technological solutions. The Carrollton GreenBelt is a shared-use path designed for pedestrians, bikers and other non-motorized users that extends more than 18 miles and connects neighborhoods to commercial and community hubs all over town. The GreenBelt app provides an interactive map of the trailheads around town, offering additional information linked to the website. Having the information centrally located enables users to quickly identify amenities such as restrooms, parking access, picnic tables, lake access, and more. 

The interactive Carrollton GreenBelt application is available for free on the App Store. To download the app, visit https://apps.apple.com/us/app/carrolltongreenbelt/id6745795773. 

Reese Boss ‘25 demonstrating the Carrollton GreenBelt application he created with development assistance from CHS rising junior Juliet Browning.

Courtesy of Rebecca Leftwich, Times-Georgian

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has appointed Carrollton native Kristi Fulford Garrett ('87) to the State Board of Education.

Garrett will represent Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District, which encompasses 15 counties, including Carroll, Haralson and part of Douglas. The 14-member board, along with State School Superintendent Richard Woods, governs the state’s 180 public school districts. Garrett will serve a seven-year term, replacing former two-term 3rd District representative Helen Rice of LaGrange.

Since attending her first meeting in January, Garrett said she has been reaching out to superintendents in her district to find out about their unique needs.

“I have had a very positive response,” she said. “They have been very welcoming. I want them to tell me what they need me to know, because that’s the best way to represent them. That’s what my goal is, and that’s what I was appointed to do.”

Garrett and her husband, Ben, are products of public schools, along with their four children, who all attended public universities. She is also deeply entrenched in the business community. She has been an owner and employee of RaLin & Associates, Inc. since 2008, lending her expertise in marketing and business leadership.

A Carrollton High School alum and graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Marketing, Garrett worked in the healthcare industry until her third child was born, when she left the field to become a full-time mom. In 2016, she launched a custom jewelry business with her daughters, and in 2018 she became managing partner of Southern Home & Garden/ACE Hardware, where she remained until it was sold in 2021.

Currently, Garrett serves as the chief marketing officer at RaLin, focusing on building impactful relationships, fostering sustainable growth and inspiring others to achieve success – goals she said she also hopes to accomplish as a member of the state board of education.

“Everything comes down to relationships,” she said. “Everybody has to be on the same page and be invested in the same thing: the best interest of the child. We have to give every child every opportunity to succeed.”

In addition to her professional roles, Garrett is an active community leader and volunteer. She serves on the Carroll County Chamber Board (Legislative Committee Member), the Tanner Foundation Board of Trustees (Strategic Planning Committee and Executive Committee), and participates in local civic and social organizations such as the Spade and Trowel Garden Club and the Lit Mu Club.

She is also a member of Carrollton First Methodist Church, where she facilitates a Bible study class. Outside of her commitments, Garrett enjoys reading; traveling; playing bridge, golf and pickleball; and spending time with family and friends.

CARROLLTON, GA — The Carrollton High School RaLin Construction Academy teaches fundamental knowledge of construction as students strengthen trade skills to apply in the industry. During the spring semester, students were eager to take on a community project, designing and constructing a home for a veteran community.  

Known as a model construction education program, students are taught a variety of techniques as well as job site expectations. For this unique community project, students learned how to build foundational components of a house, including a truss system, wall sections, and floor systems. From establishing a floor plan to creating fabrication patterns to ensure uniformity, they carefully considered each phase of the building process. In all, the home is approximately 500 square feet and costs around $6,000 to build, which was funded by RaLin. 

Tristan Morin, a 2025 graduate, said this project provided the opportunity to give back while learning.

“All of the skills we used throughout the construction process are important for field work, and it was valuable for our team to be able to contribute to such a worthy cause,” said Tristan.  

Tristan received the CCS Education Foundation RaLin scholarship to support his education at Mississippi State University, where he intends to major in a construction-related degree. 

Completing a project of this scale required students to learn about the details of constructing a home, with the added challenge of relocating the structure and making it an efficient design for the on-site team to reassemble. 

“This RaLin community project enabled students to learn how to design within the construction process,” said CHS RaLin Academy Instructor Chris Stone. “It is an honor to share what our program has accomplished to benefit others.” 

Stone recently led professional development sessions for construction educators from across the state, demonstrating how others can cultivate such an impactful program.

Through the continued support of RaLin and Carrollton City Schools, the academy has put its talents on display by building a 10-piece obstacle course for CHS JROTC, constructing trophy cases for the Trojan Band, and becoming the only group statewide to develop proficiency in concrete to meet current industry demands. 

With more than 50% of RaLin Academy students working in or studying to pursue a career in the construction industry, the program continues to set the standard for construction education, equipping students with invaluable skills and a strong sense of community. 

CHS RaLin Construction Academy students José Lopez (left) and Kevin Morales (right) taking measurements to build the house that will be donated to a veteran housing community.