In the Middle | Forsyth County School District

VCMS Annual Dodgeball Tournament Honors Luke Becker

Luke Becker was diagnosed in 2020 with pediatric glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer with no known cure. He passed away on March 27, 2023. Luke’s life was a testament to living with purpose, joy, and love—no matter the challenges he faced. His story reminds us to cherish each moment, to give everything we’ve got, and to love fiercely, just as he did.

Vickery Creek Middle School (VCMS) hosted its annual dodgeball tournament, a high-energy event that unites students for fun, friendly competition in support of a meaningful cause. What makes this tournament truly special is the heart behind it. Each year, the connections teachers organize and run the event in memory of former student Luke Becker, who passed away from childhood cancer, and whose courage continues to inspire the VCMS community. Funds raised from the tournament benefit children fighting similar battles, reminding students that their efforts make a difference.

This year’s tournament was held on April 1st and 2nd, during each grade level’s connections block, and invited students to gather their teams, test their skills, and dodge their way to victory, all while supporting the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta AFLAC Cancer Center and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Through their participation, students learned the power of collective action and giving, as 99% of the student body contributed, and $4,931.71 was raised. Every dollar collected supports children and families in need, reinforcing the event’s positive, real-world impact.

A special thank‑you went to Carey Hunt, Melanie Potts, the administration team, and VCMS staff, whose dedication keeps this event thriving each year. Their leadership ensures that Luke’s legacy continues. The event shone thanks to the generosity and energy of the VCMS community, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved and promising an even brighter future for this cherished tradition.

Celebrating Strength and Spirit at the Special Olympics

Middle School Highlights

Students across Forsyth County Schools are joining one of the year’s most uplifting events, the Special Olympics. Athletes from elementary, middle, and high schools have showcased their dedication and teamwork, and are preparing to do so again on a day that celebrates their achievements and spirit.

This event unites students from every corner of the district to showcase their strengths in a welcoming, energetic environment. Teachers, families, and volunteers help athletes practice their events and build confidence. Many students seize this chance to shine in front of friends and supporters who cheer for every effort and accomplishment.

The Special Olympics does more than provide competition; it highlights the strength and unity of our community. Students lift each other up. Staff guide and inspire. Families bring pride and encouragement. This event embodies the spirit of inclusion that Forsyth County Schools strives to build daily.

Join us in congratulating every athlete for their determination and joy. We celebrate this highlight of our school year and look forward to watching our students give their best.

Drama Dawgs Take the Stage

Otwell Middle School Brings James and the Giant Peach Jr. to Life

Most importantly, I want them always to remember that once a Drama Dawg, always a Drama Dawg. My team, their fellow students, and the community they’ve built here will always be cheering them on and supporting them, no matter where life takes them.
- Alexandra Duque

A group of people, mostly young women, are standing together on a stage in front of a large green backdrop, creating a visually striking and theatrical scene.

Otwell Middle School's Drama Dawgs delivered a truly remarkable production this past weekend with their staging of James and the Giant Peach Jr., featuring music and lyrics by the award-winning team of Ben Pasek and Justin Paul and book by Timothy Allen McDonald. Under the direction of Alexandra Duque and choreography by Joy Oni, the beloved Roald Dahl story came to life in a performance brimming with creativity, heart, and unmistakable middle school magic. The cast and crew delivered a full theatrical journey, pouring everything they had into every moment onstage, from the opening notes of 'Right Before Your Eyes' to the sweeping finale.

What made this production extraordinary was that the audience saw that most of the set, props, and design elements were imagined and built by students. James and the Giant Peach Jr. was not a show handed to them; it was one they constructed from the ground up, solving problems, making creative decisions, and collaborating as a true company of artists and technicians. That kind of hands-on ownership is rare at any level of theatre, and it speaks volumes about the culture Director Duque and her team have cultivated within the Drama Dawgs program.

Congratulations to the entire cast, crew, and creative team of the Drama Dawgs. This production of James and the Giant Peach Jr. stands as a testament to what students can accomplish when they are trusted with a vision and given the tools to bring it to life. The peach may have landed in New York City, but the real adventure, the one built on teamwork, imagination, and countless hours of hard work, happened right here in Heart of Forsyth.

The Vision Behind the Peach:

Director Alexandra Duque on Student Magic and the Making of a Show

This production was built almost entirely by students, from the set design to the props and design choices. What was it like watching your students take ownership of that creative process, and were there any moments that particularly surprised or moved you?

Throughout the process of putting together a musical, we spend a lot of time discussing the show's vision and the importance of honoring the director's vision. At our first tech rehearsal, we begin by looking at inspiration boards and discussing ideas for where to start. From there, we tackle each prop, costume, or lighting concept that a student has envisioned and work to bring those ideas to life in our classroom. Through both in-school and after-school rehearsals, students gain hands-on experience constructing costume pieces, designing props, and even building giant rhino heads! One of the moments that always moves me most is when students finally get to see their finished work on stage. I love watching their eyes light up as they hear their work being complimented and supported by our amazing audiences.

James and the Giant Peach Jr. features a large and diverse cast of characters, from a title hero to talking insects to a rhino. How did you approach casting and coaching your students to find the unique personality within each of those roles?

Casting is always an exciting part of the process. When students walk into the audition room, I am very clear with them about the importance of “leaving it all on the floor.” From taking the time to learn music from the show, to dancing, and then reading scenes together, students give their full effort and continually surprise me with just how talented they are. Of course, there are times when we must make difficult decisions. In addition to their performance, I pay close attention to how students interact with and treat one another in the audition room, as that says a great deal about how they will work together throughout the rehearsal process. Once rehearsals begin, we spend a lot of time talking about characterization and asking “why” a character makes the choices they do. Students consider different perspectives as they bring these characters to life, reflecting on how they might personally react in similar situations to make their performances feel as authentic as possible. They consistently rise to the challenge and, by the end of the process, walk away with a deeper understanding of both the characters they portrayed and the humanity behind them.

Directing middle schoolers in a full musical production is no small feat. What do you hope your students, especially graduating 8th graders, take away from this experience, both as performers and as young people, that will stay with them long after the final curtain call?

I always hope my students walk away with a few important lessons. First, when a team truly puts their minds to something, and everyone contributes, they can accomplish incredible things. With every show we’ve done together, they have challenged themselves to do better than the last, and each time they succeed in ways that leave me completely speechless. I also want my students to know that if they feel determined and passionate about something, they should pursue it wholeheartedly. Many of my 8th graders will continue into theatre classes at the high school level, and it would not surprise me at all if one day some of them chose to pursue theatre professionally. They are passionate, hardworking, and talented enough to do just that. Most importantly, I want them always to remember that once a Drama Dawg, always a Drama Dawg. My team, their fellow students, and the community they’ve built here will always be cheering them on and supporting them, no matter where life takes them.

Lights, Camera, Learn

Cumming Elementary and Otwell Middle School Team Up to Build the Next Generation of Filmmakers, Podcasters, and Broadcasters

Two schools, one shared vision, and a student news crew finding their voice one broadcast at a time.

Something exciting is happening in the mornings at Cumming Elementary School. Fifth-grade students are stepping in front of cameras, settling in front of a podcast mic, and learning what it takes to tell a story, all thanks to a growing collaboration between Cumming Elementary and Otwell Middle School. It started with a simple observation: with Cumming's fifth graders heading to Otwell in the Fall, Otwell's broadcast and film teacher, Dr. Greg Walkup, saw an opportunity to pique students' curiosity about the craft before they ever set foot in his broadcast & film program.

That idea turned into a real partnership. Greg teamed up with Cumming Elementary's Educational Technology Coach, Liz Pfister, and together they have been building something meaningful from the ground up. Dr. Walkup's Broadcast & Film students now volunteer at Cumming in the mornings, working side by side with elementary students to help them find their voices as anchors, podcasters, and filmmakers. Cumming has even brought in podcast equipment to give students more ways to practice and create. The energy, by all accounts, has been contagious.

The bigger picture is just as exciting. With Forsyth Central High School already home to a Film Academy, this collaboration is laying the foundation for a genuine pipeline, one where students can discover a passion for film, podcasting, and broadcasting in elementary school, sharpen their skills in middle school, and take it to the next level in high school. We sat down with Liz Pfister and Greg Walkup to hear more about how it all came together.

ONN (Otwell News Network)

Bulldog Bites

FCHS Film Academy

What inspired this collaboration, and what has it looked like in practice from the very first morning Otwell students showed up at Cumming?

"It has been powerful to see former students return to invest in the next group, building confidence, skills, and excitement for this pathway." - Liz Pfister

The partnership started with a phone call and a shared belief that students deserve a clear, intentional path to follow. Liz reached out to Greg with the idea of building stronger connections among Cumming Elementary, Otwell Middle, and, eventually, Central High School. For Greg, the Central cluster already felt like home. His history teaching at Forsyth Central as the Teaching as a Pathway instructor had given him an existing relationship with Mr. Hanline, co-director of the Film Academy, so the vertical alignment felt natural from the very beginning. When he connected with Liz, he knew right away they were on the same page. "She is so creative and incredibly humble, and ultimately wants what is best for students," Greg shared. "That is 100% aligned to my teaching philosophy."

With 100% of Cumming's students heading to Otwell and then on to Central, both educators saw a real opportunity to spark interest early and connect their programs in a meaningful way. From the very first morning Otwell students arrived at Cumming, the collaboration was hands-on and immediate. The Otwell volunteers are former Cumming students, so they were able to jump right in and start mentoring the news crew on filming techniques, anchoring skills, and, most recently, podcast production. For Liz, watching that dynamic unfold has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. "It has been powerful to see former students return to invest in the next group," she said, "building confidence, skills, and excitement for this pathway." Greg's goal is equally clear: by the time Cumming students walk through the doors at Otwell, they will already have the foundational tools in place for him to take them to the next level in broadcasting, podcasting, and film.

What have you noticed in the Cumming students as they have gotten more comfortable in front of the camera and behind the microphone?

The growth has been impossible to miss. At first, many of Cumming's students were quiet and focused on getting the words right. Now? The difference is night and day. You can hear more inflection in their voices, see stronger eye contact, and feel their energy right through the screen. They are starting to let their personalities come through, making the broadcasts more engaging and authentic at the same time. What has been most exciting to watch is not just how they have grown as presenters but also as communicators. They are finding their voices, and it shows.

What does the long-term vision look like for this broadcasting & film pathway, and what do you hope students at all three schools take away from being part of it?

Video Transcript

Video Transcript

Student: Basically, what we do is one person is like the director. They write it down and put it on sticky notes right here under the camera where you can't see it, and then they read it. (Inaudible.) And that's what we do.

Teacher: And then they add their own little personality. This is their first year doing it, and they're crushing it.

Camera Man: That's awesome.

Teacher: Crushing it, yes.

Student: The cool thing about it is that we don't get told what we have to do. Like, we run it all by ourselves.

"When a student has a passion and a purpose, the sky is the limit." - Greg Walkup

Both Liz and Greg will tell you the same thing: when a student finds something they are passionate about, everything changes. The long-term vision for this pathway is rooted in that belief. Liz hopes to continue growing Cumming Elementary's news program and podcast while staying closely aligned with Greg's broader vision for the cluster. That includes maintaining the yearly field trip to Otwell's studio, an experience she sees as a critical piece of the puzzle. "Experiences like that make the learning real and help students envision their future," she said. Seeing the studio, meeting the older students, and understanding where the pathway leads gives elementary students something concrete to work toward.

What makes this program especially meaningful to both educators is who it is designed for. It is open to any student with an interest, which means a child who may not shine in a traditional academic setting could walk into the anchor chair and discover a passion that shapes the rest of their life. Liz's goal is simple: every student at all three schools should know this opportunity exists and that it is a pathway they can start at Cumming Elementary and carry through to Central's Film Academy. Greg echoes that vision with equal enthusiasm. "When a student has a passion and a purpose, the sky is the limit," he said. For him, the work ahead is about continuing to build on the vertical alignment they have established and ensuring every student has the chance to explore their gifts and talents in film, broadcasting, and podcasting. The foundation is in place. Now it is time to build.

Mathletes on the Move

Forsyth County Dominates State Qualifiers

Forsyth County’s middle school mathletes continue to make their mark in this year’s MATHCOUNTS competition series, and the momentum is incredible. Of the 44 students advancing to the state competition from a region spanning 21 school districts, an amazing 36 are from Forsyth County. It’s a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of their coaches, and the strong support from families and schools. Congratulations to each of our 2026 chapter awardees; you’ve earned every bit of this celebration.

36 students from Forsyth County middle schools will advance to the MATHCOUNTS State Competition in Buford on Monday, March 9, 2026. Their rankings reflect outstanding performance at the chapter level, with representation from South Forsyth, Lakeside, Riverwatch, Piney Grove, Hendricks, Desana, Otwell, and Vickery Creek. Each student has demonstrated impressive problem‑solving skills and a commitment to excellence. Please join us in cheering them on as they take the next step in this year’s competition. They’ve made our community proud, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.

South Forsyth Middle School Band Hits a High Note!

Big news from SFMS! Thanks to an incredibly generous $2,000 gift, the school’s band program was able to purchase a new timpani set, something our students and directors have been dreaming about for years.

Under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Poor and Mr. Brandon Waugh, the SFMS Band serves nearly 500 students and has earned a reputation for excellence across Georgia and beyond. From GMEA conferences to national invitational concerts, our musicians shine on stage and in our school community.

Last night, during our 8th Grade and Concert Bands performance, SFMS leadership surprised students with the announcement. Their excitement was off the charts, and the joy in the room said it all.

FCS and SFMS are so grateful for this partnership and belief in the power of education. Thank you for helping us give this incredible gift to our band program.

Every Student Belongs!

At Lakeside Middle, every student belongs and every team thrives together. From respect and connection to collaboration and communication, Lakeside Middle School is where success is shared by all. Because Life is Better at the LAKE.