Jim Sellars named Schley Conservationist of the Year

The Lower Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District board of supervisors and its cooperating banks held the annual Conservationist of the Year banquet recently at the USDA Service Center in Dawson. The distinguished honor of the Conservationist of the Year for Schley County went to Jim Sellars. He is the fourth generation farmer who grew up on his family farm and worked the land with his father.

In 1994, Sellars took over the daily operation of the family farm that had been in his family for more than 100 years. He utilizes as many conservation practices as possible; some include strip till, cover crops, terraces , grassed waterways, conversion from diesel to electric, and has conversion from high pressure to low pressure with drop nozzles for improved irrigation efficiency and uniformity.

As a past Schley County Conservationist of the Year in 1998, Sellars has continued to use conservation practices by planting improved loblolly pines as well as food plots for wildlife habitat management. In addition, he is currently applying for the NRCS CSP Program.

Sellars was raised here in Schley County. He serves as a member of the FSA Commodity Board for Schley and Sumter counties, and has served as a board member of the Schley County Farm Bureau for many years. He is the son of Henry and Mitt Sellars of Schley County. He is married to Shari Sellars; they have been married for 35 years and have three daughters, Jill, Kelli and Haley Sellars. They all attend Hopewell United Methodist Church here in Schley County. Congratulations Jim on a job well done.

Community is saddened by local resident’s death

On Feb. 9, Jerry L. Taylor died at his home following a lenghty illness. He was from Columbus. He and his wife Sandi moved to Ellaville and they had one son, Lance Taylor. Lance and his wife Rebecca live in Carrollton. Jerry had two grandchildren, Marcie Taylor and Jeremiah Taylor. Everyone that knew Jerry will surely miss him. Keep his family in your prayers.

Schley County announces STAR Student, Teacher

Schley County High School has announced the STAR Student and STAR Teacher for 2015. The STAR Student is Sobia Bhatti and the STAR Teacher is Patti Wurtz.

Bhatti is the daughter of Khalid and Susan Bhatti. She said academics are important to her because she knows the value of education. She said that she has seen people be successful with a education and she has seen people face consequences because of no education.

Bhatti chose Wurtz as her STAR Teacher, remembering her ninth-grade English was a difficult and she learned a lot and remembers the rules of grammar today. Wurtz had a big impact on Bhatti and her extra-curricular activities talking her into joining the drama class.

Bhatti said due to Wurtz, she came out of her shell and explored things that she would not have ever done if it had not been for Wurtz.

Wurtz is now a four-year STAR Teacher. She said that Bhatti’s drama was just a example of her zest.

Bhatti is so honored to represent Schley County High School as STAR Student. She planning on going to college and major in biomedical engineering, knowing this means she would have a wide range of job opportunities becoming and anesthesiologist.

Wurtz is very appreciative and humbled to receive be chosen STAR Teacher for the fourth year.

The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program is sponsored by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. To receive the STAR nomination, a high school senior must have the highest score on a single test date on the three-part SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average.

Each high school’s STAR is then considered for regional and state-wide awards with one student winning the designation of State PAGE STAR Student.

Congratulations to our STAR Student and Teacher.

Schley Family Connection to have February meeting

The Schley County Family Connection meets at noon Feb. 26 at the City Conference Room. Lunch is $6 per person. RSVP John Green if you plan to attend 591-2323.

Schley County 4-H’ers attend Rock Eagle

Feb. 6-8, six Schley County 4-H’ers represented Schley County at the Southwest District Junior and Senior 4-H District Project Achievement held at Rock Eagle. Around 500 seventh- through twelfth-grade 4-H’ers from 41 counties attended the annual project competition meeting.

A Junior 4-H from Schley County Middle School was Anna Trussell, a seventh grader. Her project was in Arts. She showed and told how to begin painting as her project. She placed 1st in her project.

The other Junior 4-H’er from Schley was Madison Sellars, an eighth grader, who participated in Performing Arts Instrumental Project. She played and performed the “Star Spangled Banner” on her flute and placed third.

Senior 4-H’ers ninth- through 12th-grades that represented Schley County High School were Mari Beth Arthur, placing third in Sheep and Meat Goat project; Rose Vo in the International Project placed third; and Whitney Welch in the Human Development Project spoke on twins and placed fourth. Her second project was in Housing Equipment and Environmental where she placed first. She is preparing to compete at the state level this summer in Atlanta at 4-H State Congress.

4-H’ers that compete in the District level must complete a 4-H portfolio of their activities the past year in their project area. These are submitted prior to the contest for judging at the competition. Each one presents and demonstrates on their subject in their area. They are rated on their portfolio and demonstration scores are combined to determine the winners.

All 4-H’ers participated in group discussion, activities and special assembly programs. Campaigning and elections for junior and senior District Board members are held on the week-end. They have their dance on Saturday night after the winners are announced. The weekend ended with assembly where the Junior and Senior District board members were installed.

For more information on 4-H call Brenda Welch at 937-2601.