Profiles Archives - South Fulton Observer

South Fulton’s Damacia Howard Crowned National American Miss National Teen

10Jan

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Community, Profiles

South Fulton’s Damacia Howard Crowned National American Miss National Teen

South Fulton resident Damacia Howard was recently crowned the 2021-2022 National American Miss (NAM) Teen at the 2021 I am Pageant Powerhouse Convention. The event was held in Orlando, Fla. on Sunday, November 28. Howard competed against 35 teens from across the U.S., and received a prize package which included a $5,000 scholarship. Howard, age 18, is the daughter of James and Regina Howard. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of both Georgia Cyber Academy and Georgia Military College. She is currently a first-year honors student at Georgia State University. She's received multiple honors and awards, including being named an Outstanding Georgia Citizen. She has also been presented multiple proclamations from Union City, Ga. and South Fulton, Ga. As the newly crowned National Teen...

South Fulton Mourns the Loss of Bohannon, Disco Legend and Resident

26Apr

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Entertainment, Profiles

South Fulton Mourns the Loss of Bohannon, Disco Legend and Resident

South Fulton joins the world in mourning the loss of disco legend and Motown star Hamilton Bohannon. The 78-year old resident died on Friday. In 2018, the City of South Fulton presented Bohannon with a proclamation in honor of his music career and work in the community. Councilmember Helen Willis said that upon the death of Aretha Franklin, she realized the importance of paying tribute to the city’s music legends while they were still alive. Bohannon was born to Willie and Sarah Bohannon in Newnan, Ga. He attended Clark College, now Clark Atlanta University and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. After graduating with a degree in music and secondary education, he was offered a music scholarship in percussion to attend Indiana University. Instead, he taught public school....

Communications Director Leaves City for CAU

10Apr

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Profiles

Communications Director Leaves City for CAU

After nearly two years in the role, South Fulton’s communications director, Jolene Butts Freeman, has resigned. She was recently named the new director of news and media relations at Clark Atlanta University, her alma mater. “I truly gained invaluable experience working at the City of South Fulton,” said Butts Freeman, a longtime South Fulton resident who was born and raised in the area. “Our leadership encouraged executive team members to realize that we were pioneers working for a bigger purpose than ourselves, and that purpose was to successfully serve the more than 100,000 residents in our great city.” “It was my pleasure, and I would like to thank Mayor “William “Bill” Edwards, Mr. Odie Donald II, our city manager, and Ms. Melanie Winfield, our assistant city manager, for their...

Hero Attorney Donates Masks to South Fulton’s First Responders

3Apr

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Community, Profiles

Hero Attorney Donates Masks to South Fulton’s First Responders

Attorney Chris Stewart is known nationally for fighting on the front lines of the legal system, seeking justice for victims of police brutality. Now he's helping those on the front lines against COVID-19 get the supplies they desperately need. Stewart has committed 300 N-95 masks to the City of South Fulton's first responders. He'll deliver them to City Hall later today. Stewart first learned of the city's need after talking to his friend of over 20 years and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brother Councilmember Mark Baker. According to Baker, a former law enforcement officer, what was initially a wellness check turned into a blessing for the city. “Chris is a great guy for this,” said Baker. “When I advised him of the number, I didn't expect him to cover everybody on our front li...

South Fulton Pageant Queen and Anti-Bullying Advocate Vies for National Title

28Jun

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Profiles, Schools

South Fulton Pageant Queen and Anti-Bullying Advocate Vies for National Title

Last September, South Fulton teen Damacia Howard was crowned Miss Georgia High School. Since then, as part of her responsibilities, she’s traveled the state to promote the B.R.A.V.E. (Building Respect and Values for Everyone) initiative. Her goal has been to do her part to help create bully-free and safe environments for school-aged children. Earlier this month, Howard shared information and resources with South Fulton families at Wolf Creek Library. She emphasized the importance of treating everyone with kindness, finding ways to ensure all students are included in games and activities, speaking out and being a voice for others. Her recent efforts have earned her a nomination for the 2019 Nonprofit Trinity Awards in the Youth Motivational Award category. Howard, who has been bull...

Westlake Alumna Makes History in West Point’s Largest Class of Black Women

2Jun

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Community, Profiles

Westlake Alumna Makes History in West Point’s Largest Class of Black Women

On May 25, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduated its largest ever group of black women. The 34 history-makers recently posed for an internet-breaking photo. Among them was 2nd Lieutenant Imani Simmons, a graduate of Westlake High School in South Fulton. She recently posted on her Instagram, "For every one who thought I couldn't, there were 10 more who knew I would." Major Wade Johnson and Sergeant Major Yolanda Johnson, Westlake's JROTC instructor were two of the 10. "I chose to attend West Point because of my mentors Major Wade Johnson and Sergeant Major Yolanda Johnson," said 2nd Lieutenant Simmons. "I was originally going to enlist in the army or do ROTC at a traditional four-year university. They pushed me to apply to West Point, something I wouldn’t have done...

South Fulton’s Russell Thomas Stars in LA Opera’s ‘The Clemency of Titus’

13Mar

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Entertainment, Profiles

South Fulton’s Russell Thomas Stars in LA Opera’s ‘The Clemency of Titus’

Tenor Russell Thomas took to the stage earlier this month in the lead role of the LA Opera’s premiere of Mozart’s The Clemency of Titus. The critics all agree, he absolutely shines. The Los Angeles Times called his performance “compassionate and thoughtful,” while the Daily News praised his “commanding presence.” The legendary Plácido Domingo, who serves as Eli and Edythe Broad General Director of the LA Opera, has called Thomas one of the premier tenors of our time. The Clemency of Titus is a story of love and friendship, and forgiveness triumphing over jealousy and violence. It’s one of Mozart’s last masterpieces, and Thomas revealed it’s one of his favorites. He said one of the challenges of the role of Emperor Titus was finding ways to convey to the audience the “darker side of an oth...

Westlake High Senior Kayla Willis Gains Acceptance to 31 Colleges

2Mar

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Profiles, Schools

Westlake High Senior Kayla Willis Gains Acceptance to 31 Colleges

Westlake High School Senior Kayla Willis has been accepted to 31 colleges and been offered nearly $1 million in scholarships, a rare feat for any high school senior. Schools near and far, such as Texas Christian University, Loyola University of New Orleans and Spelman College want her to be part of their incoming 2019-2020 freshmen class. “Earlier this year I didn’t know where I was going to college,” Kayla said. “After I sat down and thought and prayed, everything came together. I was more proactive than ever. I did things the right way.” Deciding what to do first, Kayla focused on her education. “I taught myself time management,” she said. “I learned how to balance my part-time job with my schoolwork. If there’s a big project I make sure I have two weeks to complete ...

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