Regional winners were recently announced for the tenth annual Student Achievement Month (SAM) contest. Competing in the four categories of written expression, public speaking, creative expression and computer technology, a total of 28 students (grades K-12) from local affiliates throughout Georgia advanced to the state level portion of the contest.
State winners will be chosen by a group of judges comprised of business leaders and media from the metro Atlanta area. Winners will receive grand prizes value up to $1,000 each, with seniors opting to receive a $1,000 scholarship to an accredited college or university. State level winners will be recognized at a luncheon at The Georgian Terrace on Tuesday, May 7.
The SAM event boosts the confidence of students who are struggling in school and recognizes them for their achievements. The contest helps students achieve new goals and gain a better understanding of the importance of academic achievement and staying in school. Dedicated staff members and volunteers encourage students and ensure they complete SAM entries, which helps them assume responsibility for self-improvement and self-discipline. “Our local affiliates and their volunteers work hard to assist students and establish relationships with local service agencies, businesses, health care providers, and parent and volunteer organizations, said Carol Lewis, Chief Operating Officer for Communities In Schools of Georgia. “We know that bringing these types of services into the schools help children and their families succeed.”
The 2013 Student Achievement Month Regional Winners are:
| First Name | Last Name | CIS Site | Category | School Level |
| Jodi | Mattair | Ben Hill | Creative Expression | Elementary |
| Iesha | Horne | Bleckley | Creative Expression | Elementary |
| DeAsia | Roundtree | Burke | Creative Expression | Elementary |
| Laken | Cone | Ben Hill | Public Speaking | Elementary |
| Destiny | Hightower | Baldwin | Written Expression | Elementary |
| Ansley | Hernandez | Ben Hill | Written Expression | Elementary |
| Armondo | Perez | Ben Hill | Computer Technology | Middle |
| Amanda | Horne | Bleckley | Computer Technology | Middle |
| Janiyah | Roberts | Burke | Computer Technology | Middle |
| Deasia | Mosley | Central Georgia | Computer Technology | Middle |
| Aldonna | Griffin | Ben Hill | Creative Expression | Middle |
| Malik | Fowler | Bleckley | Creative Expression | Middle |
| Breanna | Alviter | Central Georgia | Creative Expression | Middle |
| Fallon | Williams | Ben Hill | Public Speaking | Middle |
| Jennifer | Pardo | Ben Hill | Written Expression | Middle |
| Shakayla | Hughes | Burke | Written Expression | Middle |
| Brittney | Smith | Central Georgia | Written Expression | Middle |
| Mathtew | Ogletree | Troup | Written Expression | Middle |
| Mitch | Thompson | Ben Hill | Computer Technology | High |
| Karlos | Birt | Burke | Computer Technology | High |
| Bo | Shi Shi | Atlanta | Creative Expression | High |
| Dwayne | Guthrie | Marietta/Cobb – Cobb PLC | Creative Expression | High |
| Larnell | Burton | Marietta/Cobb – Marietta PLC | Creative Expression | High |
| Lafavia | Ford | Ben Hill | Written Expression | High |
| Amber | Johnson | Burke | Written Expression | High |
| Ana | Costa | Marietta/Cobb – Cobb PLC | Written Expression | High |
| Heartleigh | Botts | Marietta/Cobb – Marietta PLC | Written Expression | High |
| Rachel | Lord | Turner | Written Expression | High |