It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Tasneem Issa.
Tasneem was very actively involved in several organizations as a Dalton High School student, serving as the Executive Vice President of Student Council, President of Interact Club, Vice President of Hospitality for DECA, and Secretary of the National Honor Society. Additionally, she was a member of Beta Club, Fine Arts Academy, HOSA, and Pep Club. She is proud to have placed first in her DECA regional competition, advanced to the state level, and to have qualified for internationals. Additionally, she was honored as Dalton High School’s DAR Good Citizen, recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction, and awarded the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. She will be attending Georgia Tech in the fall and majoring in biology in the hopes that she can continue to help others through her work.
Way to go!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring The Dalton Academy graduate, Kiara Cespedes Bello.
Throughout her time as a TDA student, Kiara was actively involved in student council, served as HOSA vice president for two years, and was a member for the other two. She was also part of the National Honor Society for two years and participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters. She feels these experiences strengthened her leadership skills and passion for helping others. Her greatest accomplishment in high school was forming strong bonds with her friends, teachers, and mentors. She will be attending Kennesaw State University to study nursing with the goal of becoming a NICU nurse.
Way to go!
Deadline Approaching—Complete the Transportation Form!
Dalton Public Schools is planning bus routes for the 2025–2026 school year, and we need your input!
All families—whether your student will ride the bus or not—must complete the Transportation Intent Form by June 15, 2025.
Let us know if your student will ride the bus in the morning, afternoon, or both.
Students without a completed form may not be guaranteed a bus assignment on the first day of school, so submitting the form on time is important!
⏳ Don’t wait—forms submitted after June 15 could delay your student’s bus assignment.
📲 Complete the form here: https://dalton.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a5irwWXAaMrL5rM
🌐 Visit our transportation webpage for more details: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/transportation-intent-2025
Exciting Beginnings at Dalton Public Schools!
We kicked off the Bright from the Start (BFTS) Rising Pre-K and Rising Kindergarten Summer Transition Program last week, welcoming eager young learners into three Rising Pre-K and three Rising Kindergarten classrooms.
Students explored their vibrant new learning environments, met their teachers and classmates, and took their first steps toward a successful school year. To make their first day extra special, they participated in a fun and imaginative in-school field trip—Drawing with Illustrator Adam Sanford—that sparked creativity and joy!
We’re proud to provide early learners with enriching experiences that build confidence and readiness for school. Here's to a fantastic summer of learning and growth!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, German Santana.
While he was a student at Dalton High School German was involved in a multitude of clubs and extracurriculars including Student Council, Beta Club, Interact Club, Youth United Way Council, National Honor Society, Soccer for Success, varsity soccer, and cross country. His greatest achievements are winning the 2023 5A soccer state championship, being the Student body Executive President, and being an AP Scholar. German plans to attend the Georgia institute of Technology in pursuit of a biomedical engineering degree.
Way to go!
Where & What Are YOU Reading This Summer?
Whether you're flipping pages by the pool, diving into a story under a shady tree, or listening to audiobooks on a road trip—we want to know! Share your summer reads and let’s inspire each other to keep reading all break long. #DaltonReads
Need something new to read? Swing by one of our DaltonReads! Summer Book Giveaways and grab FREE books for grades K-12!
📍 Mack Gaston Community Center
🗓 Starting this Thursday, June 12
🕦 11:30 AM
Let’s make this a summer of stories. Comment below, and show us your current reads!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates! Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Lanier Land.
Lanier’s list of accolades as a Dalton High School student includes being the Vice President of her Senior class, the President and Founder of Pep Club, Vice President of Interact Club, a member of the honors program, cheering for Varsity Football, playing Varsity Lacrosse, participating in Competition Cheerleading, performing with the Dance Theatre of Dalton, being on the United Way Youth Council, and being a member of Christ Church Presbyterian Youth Group.
She is proud to have been named Cheerleader of the Year for 4A-6A, to have danced the roles of Dewdrop and Spanish Pas de deux in Nutcracker ‘24, to have been a Top 10 Academic student all four years, and to have received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. In the fall, she will be attending the University of Florida where she plans to major in biology. She is aiming to pursue a medical career studying allergies.
Way to go!
Dalton High School Announces Head Lacrosse Coaches
Dalton, GA — Dalton High School is proud to announce the appointment of Jillian Mello and DJ Hutchinson as the new head coaches for the boys’ and girls’ lacrosse programs.
Coach DJ Hutchinson has been a driving force in local lacrosse since his youth. As a former standout player for Dalton High School, Hutchinson once held the single-game scoring record and still holds the program’s all-time goals and points records.
He continued his playing career at Reinhardt University, where he helped lead the team to two conference championships and two national titles. Hutchinson has several years of coaching experience in both club and community settings and was a member of Dalton’s first-ever lacrosse team. He now returns to lead the boys' program with a vision of building a competitive, high-character team.
Coach Jillian Mello brings impressive collegiate and coaching experience to the girls’ program. She began her NCAA Division I career at the University of Massachusetts Lowell before transferring to Reinhardt University, where she played a key role in securing the 2024 national championship.
Mello earned numerous accolades during her career, including 2023 AAC Offensive Player of the Year, three AAC First Team All-Conference honors, and two NAIA First Team All-American recognitions. After joining the Dalton Lacrosse staff as an assistant in 2025, she is now stepping into the head coach role, committed to guiding the program toward future success.
Dalton High School is excited to welcome Coach Hutchinson and Coach Mello into their new roles and looks forward to the continued growth and success of the lacrosse programs under their leadership.
https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/article/2254407
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring The Dalton Academy graduate, Jairo Alvarez.
Jairo played soccer at TDA for all four years, was involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters for a year, and was part of the translation academy as well. His two greatest achievements in high school were winning state in soccer his Freshmen year and making the honors list at Georgia Northwest Technical College.
Way to go!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Drew Snyder.
Drew participated in Varsity Basketball in ninth through twelfth grade, Varsity Football in ninth and tenth grade, Lacrosse, National Honor Society, Interact Club, and FCA while at Dalton High School. Drew is most proud of having made All-Region First Team 7-5A his junior year, All-Area First Team his junior year, receiving the Georgia Certificate of Merit, being named an All-Region Honorable Mention 7-4A in his senior year, and being a Dalton High School Scholar Athlete all four years. Drew will be attending the University of Georgia to study business and will choose a concentration later on in his studies.
Way to go!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Alexia Gonzalez.
Alexia participated in Student Council, Marching Band, and Varsity Basketball. She was a member of the Fine Arts Academy, Beta Club, and National Honors Society. She is most proud of winning Homecoming Queen, making it to final four in basketball, and winning region in basketball as well.
Way to go!
PEACH TAX CREDIT PROGRAM: Looking to support education and save on taxes? Learn how you can benefit from the Peach Tax Credit program with Dalton Public Schools!
Visit https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/peach-education-tax-credit for more details!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring The Dalton Academy graduate, Bernice Campos.
While a TDA student Bernice played volleyball, basketball, and soccer. She also participated in basketball cheer, track, SkillsUSA, and HOSA. She is most proud of having joined the National Guard while a TDA student. She plans to attend Dalton State College in the Fall where she hopes to pursue a degree in either criminal justice or healthcare.
Way to go!
🚍 Help Us Plan for Next Year—Complete the Transportation Form!
Dalton Public Schools is planning bus routes for the 2025–2026 school year, and we need your input!
All families—whether your student will ride the bus or not—must complete the Transportation Intent Form by June 15, 2025.
Let us know if your student will ride the bus in the morning, afternoon, or both.
Students without a completed form may not be guaranteed a bus assignment on the first day of school, so submitting the form on time is important!
⏳ Don’t wait—forms submitted after June 15 could delay your student’s bus assignment.
📲 Complete the form here: https://dalton.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a5irwWXAaMrL5rM
🌐 Visit our transportation webpage for more details: https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/transportation-intent-2025
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Kendrix London.
Kendrix was a player on the Dalton High School football team and a member of the track team for all of High School. He is most proud of making Sweet 16 two years in a row as well as making First Team All Region two years in a row. He will be attending Centre College, where he plans to study marketing and architecture.
Way to go!
Hats off to the Dalton High School Class of 2025! Your journey has been filled with dedication, resilience, and growth, and today we celebrate the bright futures ahead of you. You’ve left your mark on DHS, and we know you’ll continue to shine wherever life takes you. Go Big Red! ❤️🐾
🎓✨ Congratulations to The Dalton Academy Class of 2025! Your hard work, perseverance, and spirit have brought you to this incredible milestone. We are so proud of all you've accomplished and can’t wait to see the amazing things you’ll do next. Once a Puma, always a Puma!
Congratulations to Berenice Canchola from Dalton High School and Marcus Bartley from The Dalton Academy!
These outstanding students were recently awarded laptops through the Georgia High School High Tech Program! Each student wrote a compelling essay on how a laptop would support their future—whether in college or the workforce—and their inspiring words earned them this incredible opportunity. We're so proud of your achievements and can’t wait to see what’s next for you both!
It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our soon-to-be graduates!
Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate, Georgia Brackett.
Georgia has participated in Dalton High Swim, Year-round swimming for Carpet Capital Aquatics Club, Pep Club, FCA, National Honor Society, and Culinary. She is proud to have received the Culinary Award, gone to state in swimming all 4 years, and maintained good grades. She will be majoring in nursing at Berry College this coming fall.
Way to go!
Ely Brackett Named Dale Cook Support Educator of the Year
Dalton, GA — Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce that Ely Brackett has been named the 2025 recipient of the Dale Cook Support Educator of the Year Award, presented by the Dalton Education Foundation.
This distinguished recognition honors support staff who make significant contributions to the educational environment and champion excellence in teaching and student learning across the district.
Brackett has served Dalton Public Schools for the past four years as the Administrative Assistant for Teaching and Learning and the Dalton Education Foundation. Her role touches nearly every corner of the district, supporting students, educators, administrators, and families through her exceptional dedication and multifaceted responsibilities.
From coordinating major events like the Young Georgia Authors celebration and Annual Art Fair to managing scholarships, grants, and awards for the Foundation, Brackett ensures the smooth execution of initiatives that enrich student experiences.
She also provides critical Spanish translation and interpretation services for families across the district, supports literacy programs like Dalton Reads, and helps organize academic competitions, teacher professional development logistics, and community outreach events.
Reflecting on the honor, Brackett shared, "I’m deeply honored and humbled to have been selected for this award. I truly feel blessed to work alongside such a supportive and uplifting group of people who make me feel valued every single day."
The Dale Cook Support Educator of the Year Award celebrates individuals like Brackett who embody the spirit of service and a commitment to supporting high-quality education in Dalton. Her dedication exemplifies the values that strengthen the Dalton Public School System and positively impact countless lives.
For more information about the Dalton Education Foundation or the Dale Cook Award, please visit https://www.daltonpublicschools.com/page/dalton-education-foundation.
