From figuring out their next steps in life to juggling extracurricular activities and schoolwork, high school students have much to accomplish, all while they develop their character and habits that will shape the rest of their lives. For those who engage in athletic activities, this is amplified as they not only worry about their actions in the classroom, but also on the field or court. As the spotlight is often put on student-athletes in many communities, Georgia high schools continue to equip these young adults with the ability to compete with exemplary sportsmanship and class.
Electric cooperatives also strive to improve the lives of young people in communities across the state and understand the importance of shaping and recognizing the leaders of tomorrow. That is why Georgia’s EMCs, including Flint Energies, are proud to announce the winners of the 2018-2019 Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Awards.
“Every choice a person makes affects what happens down the road,” says Blair Brown, Cooperative Communications Specialist with Flint Energies. “Teaching student-athletes about character, about treating others with respect, even when it’s hard or if the other person may not deserve it, instills a better attitude in these future leaders that won’t go unnoticed. We are so proud to be able to recognize those who demonstrate these great qualities and encourage them to continue in the future.”
Flint Energies, along with other Georgia EMCs, have presented the Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award to schools like Northside High School since 2006. To be considered for this award, students, athletes, coaches, spectators and anyone associated with high school activities programs must illustrate outstanding respect, fairness, honesty and responsibility before, during and after athletic competition.
“Congratulations to all of the region winners of the GHSA Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award for 2018-2019,” says Dr. Robin Hines, GHSA Executive Director. “It is an honor for these member schools to be selected by their regions for this award. The characteristics of good sportsmanship are critical to the development of our young people as they transition into productive adults. The GHSA applauds our schools on this accomplishment and appreciates Georgia’s EMCs for their support of this outstanding recognition program.”
Schools such as Northside High have shown exemplary sportsmanship across a variety of athletics, ranging from athletes to spectators. The Award also extends to anyone involved in the athletic event, which honors both the school and the community.
Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Awards are presented annually by EMC representatives during fall athletic events and school assemblies to GHSA-member high schools in 56 regions and seven classifications. This is the second year in row that Northside High School has been selected for this award.
Winners of the 2018-2019 GHSA Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award presented by Georgia’s EMCs include:
Class AAAAAAA (7A)
Region 1 – Lowndes High School
Region 2 – Newnan High School
Region 3 – North Cobb High School
Region 4 – Woodstock High School
Region 5 – North Forsyth High School
Region 6 – Collins Hill High School
Region 7 – Berkmar High School
Region 8 – Shiloh High School
Class AAAAAA (6A)
Region 1 – Northside (Warner Robins) High School
Region 2 – Richmond Hill High School
Region 3 – Heritage (Conyers) High School
Region 4 – Charles Drew High School
Region 5 – Northgate High School
Region 6 – River Ridge High School
Region 7 – Cambridge High School
Region 8 – Apalachee High School
Class AAAAA (5A)
Region 1 – Thomas County Central High School
Region 2 – Wayne County High School
Region 3 – Jonesboro High School
Region 4 – Union Grove High School
Region 5 – Clarkston High School
Region 6 – Decatur High School
Region 7 – Woodland (Cartersville) High School
Region 8 – Buford High School
Class AAAA (4A)
Region 1 – Westover High School
Region 2 – West Laurens High School
Region 3 – Burke County High School
Region 4 – North Clayton High School
Region 5 – Troup County High School
Region 6 – Heritage (Catoosa) High School
Region 7 – Blessed Trinity High School
Region 8 – North Oconee High School
Class AAA (3A)
Region 1 – Monroe Area High School
Region 2 – Liberty County High School
Region 3 – Southeast Bulloch High School
Region 4 – Westside (Macon) High School
Region 5 – Pace Academy
Region 6 – Coahulla Creek High School
Region 7 – Cherokee Bluff High School
Region 8 – Hart County High School
Class AA (2A)
Region 1 – Berrien County High School
Region 2 – St. Vincent’s Academy
Region 3 – Northeast High School
Region 4 – Westside (Augusta) High School
Region 5 – Callaway High School
Region 6 – Frederick Douglass High School
Region 7 – Dade County High school
Region 8 – Jasper County High School
Class A
Region 1 – Seminole County High School
Region 2 – Echols County High School
Region 3 – Johnson County High School
Region 4 – Crawford County High School
Region 5 – Atlanta International School
Region 6 – The Walker School
Region 7 – Glascock County High School
Region 8 – Providence Christian Academy
About GHSA
The GHSA is a voluntary, non-profit organization comprised of more than 460 public and private high schools that strives to promote good sportsmanship, participant safety, fair play and a cooperative spirit among its member schools. The GHSA administers regulations for region and state competition in 18 sports and three activities. For more information, visit www.ghsa.net.