Tift County Schools Honors Creative Talent at Board Meeting

Tift County Schools celebrated the artistic and theatrical achievements of its students during a recent Board of Education meeting. On December 11, 2025, the board recognized winners of the districtwide Christmas Card Artwork contest and the cast and crew of the One Act Play team, highlighting their significant contributions to the school community.

Dana Spurlin, Chief Information Officer for Tift County Schools, welcomed the students to receive commemorative certificates for their achievements. Spurlin explained that the art contest was open to all grade levels, encouraging students to submit festive, holiday-themed designs for the district’s Christmas card. A remarkable total of 145 students participated, and the board selected one design from each of four grade groups to represent Tift County Schools.

The winners included Raylie Grace from Len Lastinger Elementary in the K-2 division, Ja’Keem Silas from Charles Spencer Elementary for grades 3-5, Gabriela Lopez of Northeast Middle School for grades 6-8, and Kyndal Turner from Tift County High School for grades 9-12. Their creative designs will appear on the district’s official Christmas card, showcasing the talent within the school system.

In addition to the artwork, the meeting acknowledged the success of the TCS One Act Play team, which recently secured the championship title for Region 1-AAAAAA and achieved fifth place at the state competition with their performance of the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The team’s advisor, Jake Alley, praised their dedication, emphasizing the substantial effort and commitment required for such a successful production.

While all cast and crew members received accolades, several individuals earned special recognition. Chase Turner and Anton Gregus were named Region 1-AAAAAA All Star Cast members, while Jackson Shirts received the title of Best Actor for the region. Additionally, Shirts and Turner were honored as All Star Cast members at the state level, further highlighting the team’s exceptional talent and hard work.

The Tift County Schools Board of Education meeting served as a platform to celebrate the creative spirit of its students, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for the arts within the school district. The recognition reflects the commitment of Tift County Schools to nurture and support the talents of its students, encouraging them to excel in various fields.