The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties is pleased to announce the following Students-of-the-Month for April 2022: Landon Burner (Gatewood Schools), Arriona Sanay Brinson (Greene County High School), Arie'una Long (Lake Oconee Academy), Lily Amerson (Nathanael Greene Academy), and William Dietrich (Putnam County High School).
Landon Burner is a senior at Gatewood School. He is the son of Troy and Terri Burner of Eatonton. He is an active participant in Anchor Club, Key Club, and Interact Club. Landon is also a current member of the Farmers and Merchants Bank Junior Board of Directors. He was inducted into the National Honors Society at Gatewood in 2020. Landon has been a member of the Gatewood Basketball team for four years. This year, Landon was voted as a senior favorite by the faculty of Gatewood and most dependable by his classmates. Landon is currently enrolled in dual enrollment and scheduled to graduate in May with six college credits. After graduation, Landon plans to attend University of North Georgia and major in Marketing. Landon chose April Allen as his Teacher-of-the-Month.
Arriona Sanay Brinson is the GCHS Rotary Student of the Month for April 2022. The daughter of Quantina Parrott, Arriona sports a 4.0 GPA. She plans to follow in her family’s footsteps and has selected nursing as her field of study. She will begin her post-secondary studies at Georgia Southern University and pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Arriona will graduate
Arriona will graduate with honors. She has completed 18 hours of dual enrollment through Athens Tech. Also, she will have completed 3 pathways: JROTC, Spanish, and College Essentials (dual enrollment). In addition to her high school academic responsibilities, Arriona has worked as a cashier at our local Ingles Markets in Greensboro.On the social side, Arriona has enjoyed being a Tiger cheerleader. She also likes music, art, dance, and singing in her church choir. Because Arriona loves and cares about her community, she is also involved with community service through school academics and clubs such as Interact.
Arriona chooses to spend some of her extra time working with senior citizens. Helping with care for her grandfather made Arriona realize that senior citizens have more to them than interesting stories. As Arriona served as an integral part of her grandfather’s support team, she learned they enjoy the same things she enjoys: music, cleaning, cooking, going to church, working a good job, or just rocking and relaxing.
Arriona says that her biggest influence in life is her great grandmother. From her great grandmother Arriona learned that motivation must be self-driven and the focus must be on pushing oneself to be better. Arriona adds, “It’s important to understand that in every part of life I will have setbacks but my great grandmother wanted me to see those moments as opportunities to learn.”
Arriona credits her great grandmother with helping her to learn and to acknowledge the value of communication, leadership, honesty, discipline, and integrity. For this reason, she selected Master Sergeant Miley as her teacher of choice. Arriona describes as the most caring teacher she has had. He models the life skills she embraces.
Arriona wants Miley to know this: “Under your leadership the Greene County High School JROTC program empowers students to develop management skills, communication skills, and leadership skills. In the process, you also help us grow positive social building blocks by expecting integrity, honesty, and discipline. I thank you, Sgt Miley, for teaching me long-term life skills I carry with me as I graduate and go on to fulfill my life ambitions.”
Arie'una Long is a senior at Lake Oconee Academy. Arie'una's parents are Audra Lawrence and the late Reginald Long Sr. As a high honor's (straight A) student, Arie'una is a member Beta Club, Marching/Pep Band, and Jazz Band. She enjoys learning new instruments, performing at community events, and spending time with family. She also virtually volunteers with the San Jose Public Library and considers her passion for helping others her most positive attribute. After high school, Arie'una plans to attend Georgia Gwinnett College and pursue a degree in Music Business/Entertainment Industry Studies. Arie'una sees herself as a music producer and record label owner in 10 years. Arie’una selected Kathryn Cobb as her Teacher-of-the-Month.
NGA Senior, Lily Amerson is the daughter of Pam Amerson Quarles and Mitch Quarles of Union Point. She is the granddaughter of Ellis and Barbara Amerson of Union Point. She has a brother, Dane and a sister, Mary Katherine, and they are both students at Nathanael Greene Academy. She has attended Nathanael Greene Academy for 4 years. She has participated in cheerleading, One-Act Play, History Quiz Bowl and has been a member of the Beta Club for 2 years. Lily, also, served on the yearbook staff for 2 years. Lily plans to attend Athens Technical College in the fall and pursue a degree in the medical field. Lily chose Jane Morgan as her Teacher-of-the-Month.
William Dietrich was selected as Student-of-the-Month from Putnam County. He is the son of Chris and Carrie Dietrich. William is a member of the Beta Club, Anchor Club, and National Honor Society. Throughout his high school career, he has participated in many community service projects, including those through the Beta Club to include Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Georgia War Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery and visiting with the Veterans residing at the Georgia War Veteran’s Home. He has also helped host a Christmas party and gift exchange for local foster children with the Beta Club. Outside of school, he is active in his church and assists with activities for the children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. In addition, he has volunteered for community events, such as the CGTC Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt, the Ferst Foundation’s Seuss on the Loose Fundraiser, and the Alice Walker 75th Birthday Celebration where he had the opportunity to meet and spend the day with Ms. Walker.
Before high school, William had always been focused mainly on being successful in his academic classes. As he entered his freshman year of high school, he decided to take a ceramics class as an elective and soon discovered a talent and love for art. It was then that he found something that he could truly take pride in and be passionate about as he sought to grow as an artist. Now, three years later and as a senior in high school, William has taken several classes in Drawing, Ceramics, and Mixed Media and in the process has accumulated a large portfolio of artwork. The majority of his work is inspired by his love for Disney, which he has shared with his family since his first visit to Walt Disney World as a child.
As William has begun considering his future plans and potential colleges to attend, he often turns to his artistic ability and his admiration for the Disney theme parks in hopes of finding a career path that combines both. As a result of this, he would love to become a Disney Imagineer, where he could use his creativity as an Art Concept Designer to create new attractions and experiences for guests. It is his dream to be able to be a part of the team that creates the magical experiences for families, similar to those that his family and he have enjoyed over the years. William chose Nancy Mason as his Teacher-of-the-Month.
The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties wishes to congratulate these deserving students and teachers!
- Contributed