News Archives

2026

  • May

    Lakeview Has a New State Champion!

    At the recent GIAA-3A Track & Field State Championships, sophomore Jaylen Wright earned the state championship title in the 400-meter event. Earlier this year, he also placed first in the 800-meter race at the Hall County Championships.
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  • Lakeview Junior Medals at State Track & Field Championships

    Lakeview junior Will Rogers placed third in the 3A Boys Long Jump Finals at the GIAA Track & Field State Championships last week. His finish ranks him among the top competitors in the state.
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  • Addison Farmer is the 2026 May Queen

    Congratulations to Lakeview’s 2026 May Queen, Addison Farmer, who was crowned on Friday during our May Day program. Addison was escorted by Knowles Thompson and crowned by last year’s May Queen, Leyla Ozcelik '25.
     
    Members of this year’s May Court include Joseph Amyx, Chloe Austin, Anabella Baxter, Kyari Burch, Bonnie Calvert, Brody Calvert, Bella Caplan, Hannah Cobb, Bianca Collins, Ethan Cook, Amelia Corbin, Tucker Dearing, NeSean Dorsey, Chris Fragoso, Alyssa Gay, Gryphon Geras, Sammy Ghazal, Kaleb Ginn, David Haddad, Amanda Hartig, Jack Kirchner, Sadie Leek, Aiden Libutti, Avery Marshall, Sarah Ann Reeves, Macie Sotomayor, Parker White, and Anna Kate Westmoreland.
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  • Lakeview Honors Outstanding Educators with Annual Beth Grindle Award

    Lauryn White (Lower School), Allison Worley (Middle School), and Beth McElwee (Upper School) were awarded the Beth Grindle Excellence in Teaching Award during the May Day program. The annual award is voted on by each division's faculty and recognizes those who are active in professional development, are deemed excellent teachers, and have a cooperative, contributing spirit toward their colleagues, as exemplified by former Lakeview staff member Beth Grindle.
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  • April

    Two Collegiate Athletes for Lakeview's Class of 2026

    Two members of Lakeview Academy's Class of 2026, Kyari Burch and Emyrie Combs, have signed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Kyari Burch will play football for Erskine College, while Emyrie Combs will join the women's basketball program at the University of North Georgia. Both student-athletes have earned athletic scholarships for their outstanding achievements.

    Burch was named Region Football Athlete of the Year for both the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons. In 2025, he led the Lions to the state playoffs, and in 2024, guided the team to a school-record 9–2 season, finishing as region championship runner-up and making another state playoff appearance. In addition to his football accolades, Burch contributed to the 2024 state championship basketball team, was selected for the 2026 Boys Basketball All-Star Team, and earned Honorable Mention on The Times 2025–26 All-County Team. He was also named to the 2025 All-State Boys Basketball Team and placed third in the 2025 region Track & Field meet.

    Combs achieved a significant milestone by scoring her 1,000th career point during the January 5, 2026, basketball game against Athens Christian. As a two-time state champion, she led the Lady Lions to state titles in 2024 and 2025 and to the state runner-up finish in 2026. Combs was also recognized as a member of the GIAA Class 3-A All-State Girls Basketball Team for the 2023–24, 2024–25, and 2025-26 seasons.
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  • Track Team Shines at Region Meet

    Our track and field team delivered an outstanding performance at last week’s Region Meet, with several athletes earning top-8 finishes. The top three finishers in each event automatically qualify for next week’s State Championships, along with the next six best times or marks across the state.
     
    Congratulations to our standout competitors:
    • Will Rogers – 2nd place, Long Jump (State Qualifier)
    • Jaylen Wright – 2nd place, 400m; 4th place, 800m (State Qualifier)
    • Landon Beasley – 5th place, Discus (Expected State Qualifier based on statewide rankings)
    • Grant Roberts – 8th place, Long Jump
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  • Lakeview Boys Win Region Golf - AGAIN!

    The Lakeview Academy boys golf team earned the Region 4-3A (GIAA) Championship on Monday at Monroe Golf & Country Club, finishing with a team score of 296 (+8). The Lions placed first among five teams, finishing ahead of Bethlehem Christian (306).

    Hudson Justus led Lakeview with a tournament-low round of 70 (-2), earning Low Medalist honors. Nate St. Pierre followed with a 74 (+2) to place second overall, and Bryton Brooks recorded a 75 (+3), earning All-Tournament Team recognition. JT Bunch contributed a 77 (+5) to complete the team score.

    The result marks Lakeview’s third region championship in the past four years.

    Final Team Standings:
    Lakeview Academy – 296
    Bethlehem Christian – 306
    Loganville Christian – 313
    George Walton – 318
    Tallulah Falls – 326
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  • Lower School Student Earns Statewide Recognition in Wildlife Art Contest

    A Lakeview Lower School student has earned top honors in a statewide art competition celebrating Georgia’s native wildlife. Elias Krynetskiy, a third grader, was named a first-place winner in Division 3 (1st–2nd grade) of the Georgia DNR Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest.

    The annual contest is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, and The Environmental Resources Network, Inc. As part of the Kids for Conservation Initiative, the program encourages students in kindergarten through fifth grade to explore and learn about Georgia’s native plants and animals through creative expression.

    This year’s theme, “Welcome to the World, Little Ones!”, invited students to highlight young wildlife and the importance of protecting natural habitats. Elias’s winning artwork stood out among entries from across the state for its creativity and thoughtful interpretation of the theme.

    The Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest aims to inspire environmental awareness and stewardship in young learners, providing an opportunity for students to connect art with conservation. Elias’s achievement reflects both his artistic talent and his engagement with the natural world.
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  • March

    Lakeview Academy Boys Win North GA Golf Championship

    Lakeview Academy’s boys golf team delivered a record-setting performance last week, capturing the North Georgia Championship at Crystal Falls Golf Club in Dawsonville against a 15-team field.
     
    Eighth-grader Hudson Justus led the way with a historic round of 6-under-par 66, establishing a new program record and earning low medalist honors. The previous record of 68 was set by Bryton Brooks, Justus, and Tanner Stephens '24.
     
    As a team, the Lions posted an even-par total of 288 from their top four scores, finishing 11 strokes ahead of runner-up Cambridge and 12 strokes clear of third-place North Hall.
     
    Additional scoring for Lakeview included Nate St. Pierre, who shot a 1-over 73 to place fifth overall, and JT Bunch, who finished at 2-over 74.
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  • Runner is Hall County Track Champion

    Sophomore Jaylen Wright placed first in the 800-meter run at the Hall County Championship track meet recently, earning top honors in the event.
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  • At the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville, Charles J. Thurmond Youth Art Awards, Keegan Kontur received a $20,000 Brenau scholarship ($5,000 each year for four years) towards tuition for her painting 'Trapped.'

    Lakeview Academy Earns Multiple Awards and Honors at Quinlan's Youth Art Month Competition

    Lakeview Academy students made an impression at the recent Youth Art Month Competition hosted by the Quinlan Visual Arts Center, earning top honors across multiple divisions and showcasing the depth of artistic talent within the school community.

    At the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville, Charles J. Thurmond Youth Art Awards, Keegan Kontur received a $20,000 Brenau scholarship ($5,000 each year for four years) towards tuition for her painting 'Trapped.'

    Anna Lauzon    ’s painting, ’Television,’ earned the Vision 2030 Public Art Award - along with a $150 cash prize. The painting will be enlarged and reproduced as an 8’x8’ panel, then installed in the royal space, the parking lot outside Hunt Tower. Installation by April 2026.

    Aiden Penland (8th grade) was also recognized with a Certificate of Recognition from the Georgia Art League, along with a $50 cash prize.

    Other awards included:
    HIGH SCHOOL
    • 2nd Place and a $1,000 Kiwanis college scholarship - Keegan Kontur for her ceramic 'Betty the Bunny' sculpture
    • 3rd Place – Anna Lauzon for her acrylic painting ‘Typewriter’
    • Honorable Mention – Keegan Kontur for ‘Fergus the Fox’ sculpture
    • Honorable Mention – Connor Smith for his sculpture ‘Wisp’
    MIDDLE SCHOOL
    • 1st Place – Charlie Vinton for 'The Bright Within' oil pastel on paper
    • 2nd Place – Gia Evans for 'Feel the Spirit' graphite
    • 3rd Place – Kate Chittaro for 'When I Ruled the World'
    ELEMENTARY LEVEL
    • 1st Place – Dominic Martinez for 'Silent Night' (tempera)
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  • Lakeview Academy Wins State Literary AGAIN!

    Lakeview Academy’s Literary Team earned the overall State Championship at the GISA 4-AAA State Literary Competition, with students placing in every event entered. The title marks Lakeview’s second state championship since joining GISA. The school previously won 14 state championships while competing in GHSA.

    Individual Results/State Champions
    • Extemporaneous Speaking – Zoe Castillo
    • Impromptu Speaking – Hayden Silcox
    • Argumentative Essay – Ethan Cook
    • Humorous Oral Interpretation – Lola Evans
    • Duo Oral Interpretation – Anabelle Baxter and Lorenzo Rojas-Alban
    • Quartet – Chloe Austin, Hannah Baker, Bella Caplan, Zoe Castillo
    • Trio – Bella Caplan, Zoe Castillo, Amelia Corbin
    • Treble Solo – Hannah Baker
    State Runners-Up
    • Lower Solo – Case Beverly
    • Dramatic Oral Interpretation – Sylvia Hanley
    • Personal Essay – Miriam Haddad
    Top Finishers
    • Rhetorical Essay – 3rd Place – Parker White
    • Spelling – 4th Place – Hudson Harper
    All participating students contributed points toward the team’s overall finish. The results highlight the strength of Lakeview Academy’s academic and fine arts programs.
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  • Lakeview EDGE Program Connects Students with Real-World Career Experiences and Networking

    Lakeview Academy students took meaningful steps toward their futures this week through Lakeview EDGE, the school’s signature program designed to help students explore career pathways, build leadership and communication skills, and connect with community professionals. Through experiences such as guest speakers, job shadowing, and targeted skill development, Lakeview EDGE bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience—helping students make more informed decisions about their academic and career goals.

    On Wednesday, March 11, students in 8th through 12th grade participated in hands-on career exploration opportunities across the Gainesville community. Throughout the day, students rotated through small group sessions with professionals, gaining firsthand insight into a variety of industries and the skills required to succeed in them.

    Several local business leaders hosted students and shared their professional experiences. At Dress Up, CEO Derrick Case discussed the rewards and challenges of launching a startup business and the path that led him to entrepreneurship. At United Community Bank, Dawn Justus, Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager, explained the many roles within the banking industry and the safeguards used to protect customers’ assets. Jonathan Collins of Capstone Property Group welcomed students to The National, where he introduced them to the world of commercial real estate, market demand, and how companies determine where to invest and build.

     
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  • Lakeview Golf Makes History with County Championship Win

    The Lakeview Academy Varsity Lions made school history earlier this week by capturing their first-ever team title at the Hall County Golf Championship at Chattahoochee Golf Club. The Lions posted a program-record two-day total of 281 (-7), including a 144 (E) nine-hole score in the second round, to defeat North Hall by 18 shots.
     
    Freshman Bryton Brooks led the way, earning individual Low Medalist honors with a two-day total of 68 (-4). Brooks secured the championship in dramatic fashion with a three-hole playoff victory over North Hall’s Tanner Seabolt.
     
    Several Lions delivered standout performances, with Brooks (1st), JT Bunch (3rd), Hudson Justus (4th), and Nate St. Pierre (6th) all finishing in the top six to earn All-Tournament Team honors. Brody Galyean and Jacob Norton also contributed solid rounds to help secure the historic team victory.
     
    With the win, Brooks becomes just the third individual county champion in Lakeview Academy history, joining Tanner Stephens ’24 and Grey Bell ’99.
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  • Student-Athletes Earn GIAA-AAA All-State Basketball Honors

    Four student-athletes have been named to the GIAA-AAA All-State Basketball Team, recognizing their outstanding performance during the 2025–26 season. Honorees include seniors Kyari Burch and Emyrie Combs, junior Will Rogers, and freshman Catherine Rowland Williams. All four were also previously selected to the Region 4 All-Region Team.

    Emyrie Combs, a two-time state champion (2024, 2025), earned additional recognition as a member of the Times 2025–26 All-County First Team. Kyari Burch, who was part of the 2024 state championship team, was selected to the 2026 Boys Basketball All-Star Team and received Honorable Mention on the Times 2025–26 All-County Team.

    Will Rogers also earned Honorable Mention honors on the Times 2025–26 All-County Team, while Catherine Rowland Williams was named to the Times 2025–26 All-County Second Team.

    The four honorees played key roles in their teams’ success this season. The Lady Lions finished as state runner-up, and the boys team advanced to the Final Four.
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  • Lakeview's STAR Student is Named System Student

    Lakeview’s Parker White and Kaitlin Jameson have been named the Gainesville City System STAR Student and Teacher! This prestigious honor means they won the system-level competition and will now advance to the regional level.
     
    The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program, sponsored statewide by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, recognizes Georgia’s highest-achieving high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic success.
     
    To earn a STAR nomination, seniors must achieve the highest score on a single test date of the two-part SAT through November of their senior year and rank in the top 10 percent (or top 10 students) of their class based on GPA.
     
    Parker selected Kaitlin Jameson as his STAR Teacher "because of the unwavering compassion she holds for all her students, the consistent support she has given me over the past 5 years, and, of course, the impact she has had on my education."
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  • February

    Lakeview Students Selected for Honor Orchestra

    The District Honor Orchestra Concert was held Saturday at Clarke Central High School, bringing together some of the most accomplished young musicians from across the district. Five of our talented middle school students were selected to perform in this prestigious ensemble, representing our school with excellence and dedication. Chosen for the Honor Orchestra were:
    • Ellie Day
    • Amelia Bostwick
    • Ashton Connor
    • Lucy Walton
    • Brie Johnson
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  • Basketball Teams Make Another Historic State Run

    The Lady Lions advanced to the GIAA Class 3A Girls Basketball State Championship for the third consecutive year, finishing as state runner-up after a hard-fought 51-48 game against Terrell Academy.
     
    The varsity boys also enjoyed another impressive postseason run, making their third straight trip to the GIAA Class 3A Boys Basketball State Semifinals. Their season concluded with a 58-50 matchup against St. Andrew's School.
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  • Lakeview Academy Wins Region Literary Competition

    Lakeview Academy successfully defended its GISA Region 1-AAA Literary Championship on Friday, earning top honors across music, writing, and speaking to secure the region title once again. The victory marks the school’s fourth GISA Region Literary Championship and its 22nd combined GISA/GHSA Literary Championship overall.

    First Place Winners/Region Champions

    • Case Beverly – Solo Lower
    • Hannah Baker – Solo Treble
    • Chloe Austin, Bella Caplan, Zoe Castillo, and Hannah Baker – Quartet
    • Hayden Silcox – Impromptu Speaking
    • Anabelle Baxter and Lorenzo Rojas-Alban – Duo Oral Interpretation
    • Lola Evans – Humorous Oral Interpretation
    • Ethan Cook – Argumentative Essay
    • Miriam Haddad – Personal Essay
    • Hudson Harper – Spelling
    Second Place Winners
    • Zoe Castillo – Extemporaneous Domestic Speaking
    • Sylvia Hanley – Dramatic Oral Interpretation
    • Zoe Castillo, Bella Caplan, and Amelia Corbin – Trio
    Additional Honors
    • Parker White – 3rd Place, Rhetorical Essay
    • Brie Johnson – 4th Place, Piano
    Our Region Champions will now advance to the State Literary Competition at Gordon State College on March 17. We wish them the very best as they prepare to compete at the state level
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  • Head of School, John Simpson, with incoming Lower School Director, Pam Doig

    Lakeview Names New Lower School Director

    Lakeview Academy is pleased to announce that Pam Doig will serve as Lower School Director beginning with the 2026–27 school year.

    Doig is a veteran educator and school leader with extensive experience in instructional leadership, faculty development, and building strong school communities. Most recently, she served as a Leadership Coach and Professional Learning Specialist with the Hall County School District. Prior to that role, she was principal at Wauka Mountain Multiple Intelligences Academy and McEver Arts Academy in Hall County. She also served as principal of Hillcrest Elementary School and Cannon Street Elementary School in Troup County. Doig began her career in education as a third- and fifth-grade teacher in Troup County, grounding her leadership in firsthand classroom experience.

    She earned her Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Troy State University, her Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of West Georgia, and her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia.

    “We are excited to welcome Pam Doig to Lakeview Academy as our Lower School Director,” said Head of School John Simpson. “She brings a wealth of experience and strong qualifications to this role, along with thoughtful, innovative ideas that will enhance our Lower School program. We look forward to the leadership and vision she will bring to our community.”

    Lakeview Academy also extends its sincere appreciation to Mary Steensma for her five years of service to the Lower School. She provided strong leadership as Lower School Director, and the school is grateful for her contributions to the Lakeview community and wishes her well in her retirement.
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  • Lakeview Spelling Bee Champion Makes State Finals

    Lakeview’s Spelling Bee Champion, Henry Westmoreland, recently competed in Round One of the GISA Spelling Bee, earning a spot in the state finals held last week in Macon. At the finals, Henry advanced through three impressive rounds of competition.
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  • Girls varsity basketball coach, Ken Huffman, is named Region Coach of the Year

    Huffman is Region Coach of the Year | Lions Earn All-Region Honors

    The Lady Lions' Coach Ken Huffman was named Region 4 Coach of the Year, and five Lakeview Lions were selected to the Region 4 All-Region Team: seniors Emyrie Combs and Kyari Burch, junior Will Rogers, and freshman Catherine Rowland Williams.
     
    Both teams will compete in the State Playoffs next week.
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  • Lakeview Boys and Girls Crowned Hall County Champions

    Lakeview’s 4th and 5th-grade boys and girls basketball teams won the Hall County Park & Rec Championship on February 7th. The boys secured the title with a last-second layup, winning 20–19. The girls won their championship game 18–4. Both teams defeated the same opponents they had lost to during the regular season.
     
    The boys finished the season with an 11–1 record. The girls finished 10–1. Both teams were led by Coach Geoff Cook.
     
    Congratulations to the players and coaches on a successful season.
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  • Teams Earn Top Honors at Regional Robotics Tournament, Varsity Advances to State

    Lakeview's three upper school teams, JV, Varsity, and C Team, competed at a regional tournament this past Saturday, representing the school with skill, determination, and teamwork.

    The JV team was recognized with the Reach Award, which recognizes teams that actively bring new students into FIRST and help spark interest in the program’s values and culture. The Varsity team delivered a strong performance throughout the day, advancing to the final match and finishing as Runner-Up and Finalist Alliance Partner. In addition, Varsity earned Runner-Up for the Inspire Award, one of the competition’s highest distinctions, recognizing excellence in performance, teamwork, and overall program strength.

    As a result of these accomplishments, the Varsity team has qualified for the State Championship, which will be held on Saturday, February 21, at Riverside Prep.
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  • January

    Swimmer Takes 1st at Championship; 15 Headed to State

    Lakeview Academy swimmers delivered an outstanding performance at the Hall County Swim Championships, with 15 middle school and varsity athletes qualifying for the state competition. Leading the way was Reece Chambers, who captured first place in the 100 breaststroke and earned a third-place finish in the varsity girls 200 individual medley.
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  • Lakeview Earns AP Honor Roll Gold Status

    Lakeview Academy’s Advanced Placement (AP) program has earned national recognition from the College Board for student participation and success in earning college credit through AP courses. Lakeview earned Gold status on the AP School Honor Roll for the second year in a row, reflecting the highest level of recognition achieved by schools in the Hall County area.
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  • Lakeview's Jacob Norton is the Times Player of the Week

    Jacob Norton earned The Times Boys Player of the Week honors, and Kyari Burch received Honorable Mention. Jacob averaged 17 points across three games, including a 21-point performance in a key district win over Athens Christian. The 6-foot junior guard is shooting 45% from beyond the arc this season, helping lead the Lions to a 14–3 overall record. Read more from The Times. 
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  • Choral Students Shine at State and District Events

    Several Lakeview Academy students represented Lakeview Academy this year by participating in prestigious district and statewide choral events across Georgia. These honors bring together talented young musicians from schools throughout the state to rehearse and perform under the direction of expert clinicians, giving students the opportunity to experience high-level choral settings while collaborating with and learning from other accomplished singers.
     
    At the UGA Choral Day held at the Classic Center in Athens, Amelia Corbin and Hannah Baker were selected to participate, showcasing their musical skills alongside peers from across the region.
     
    In addition, students participated in the District Honor Chorus at Piedmont College, including Piper Kimsey, Maggie Stewart, Hadley Gilbert, Kate Spooner, Lily Ann Hester, and Brie Johnson. Their selection reflects dedication, talent, and a strong commitment to choral excellence.
     
    Our youngest singers also made their mark at the 6th Grade Statewide Honor Chorus, held at the Classic Center in Athens. Rees Miller, Emmy Molway, and Maddie Halligan were chosen to represent Lakeview Academy in this statewide ensemble.
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  • Lakeview Crowns a Spelling Bee Champion

    Lakeview crowned its new spelling bee champion, Henry Westmoreland (8th, seated on right). The alternate (runner-up) was Eliza Chandler (7th, seated on left). In addition, the classroom spelling champions who also competed in the spelling bee were Amelia Plantin (4th), Riley Grunch (5th), Amelia Bostwick (5th), Taylor Quinones (5th), Rhodes Williams (7th), and Molly Abell (8th).
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  • Emyrie Combs Scores 1,000th Point

    Emyrie Combs reached a major milestone, scoring her 1,000th career point during the January 5th game against Athens Christian. A two-time state champion, Emyrie helped lead the 2024 and 2025 Girls Basketball State Championship teams and was named to the GIAA Class 3-A All-State Girls Basketball Team in both the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons.
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< 2026
Lakeview Academy is a private, coeducational day school for students in preschool through 12th grade, located in Gainesville, GA minutes off I-985/Hwy 365.
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