Upson-Lee High School

Check out our Thomaston-Upson County Schools Assessment Newsletter with important information and dates about the Georgia Milestones. Here are some important links from the flyer! FY25 TUCS Assessment Calendar: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UgizFqnBH-fVBSgEBZxdrhrlThFO8gqeYb3ushkIc-E/view?tab=t.0 Students can take Milestones Practice Tests Here: https://www.gaexperienceonline.com/ Georgia Milestones Resources: https://gadoe.org/assessment-accountability/georgia-milestones/ Georgia Milestones Resources for Parents: https://lor2.gadoe.org/gadoe/file/65da261d-7393-457b-bd7e-b7721b2f15cf/1/GM_Parent_Resources.pdf

Director of Bands Cameron Born would like to invite you to our Pre-LGPE concert on Tuesday March 4th at the Fine Arts Center. The Large Group Performance Evaluation is one of the biggest concerts during the school year because of the adjudication process that is associated with the performance. Our LGPE is March 14th, but we're performing our music for our community and parents on Tuesday March 4th at the Fine Arts Center. Along with performance for our friends and family, I've asked judges to simulate the LGPE process for our ensembles. Those judges include Mr. Bailey (band director in Macon, GA), Mr. Mullins (Band Director at Veteran's HS), and Dr. Braddock (Band Director at Mercer University). We hope you will consider joining us on Tuesday!

ULHS and Cognia Celebrate Education Milestone - 100 Years of Accreditation On Wednesday, February 26, Dr. Emily Klein, Cognia Senior Director, Southeast Division, visited Upson-Lee High School to present Principal Mr. Ricky English with a plaque and a flag recognizing Upson-Lee High School along with previous Thomaston and Upson County high schools for maintaining 100 years of continuous accreditation. Cognia is the parent organization of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC). For 130 years Cognia and its legacy organizations have held schools and school districts to their high standards for accreditation, and according to their records, the first Thomaston/Upson County high school received accreditation in 1924, marking a century of commitment to excellence in education within our community’s public school system. Upson-Lee High School opened its doors for the 1992-93 school year and has maintained continuous accreditation throughout its existence. The Thomaston-Upson School System holds district-wide Cognia accreditation. Cognia accreditation is rigorous, highly valued and recognized around the world as an indicator of district-wide excellence. Pictured l-r: Dr. Emily Klein, Cognia Senior Director, Southeast Division, ULHS Principal Mr. Ricky English, and T-U Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico #ULProud #weareUL

Tanisha Johnson., the Georgia Power Education and Workforce Coordinator for Central Region. shared with us today an outstanding opportunity for our students! Georgia Power is preparing for another exciting year as the Corporate Sponsor for the 21st Century Leaders STEM-focused summer leadership institute. 21st Century Leaders EarthCare will be hosted in person as a residential program on the campus of Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA during the week of June 8th-13th, 2025. She is looking for high school students from Central Region to apply to this summer institute and become part of 21st Century Leaders. Applications are due March 1st. preferably. Overview of EarthCare: When: June 8-13, 2025 What: A week-long residential summer leadership institute with 21st Century Leaders & Georgia Power. Who: 85 rising sophomores through rising seniors in high school with an interest in STEM and leadership. Why: Explore careers, connect with peers and professionals, and develop as a LEADER! How: Students are required to submit an online application and have a teacher or mentor submit a separate recommendation form. · Student Application https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/for-students/summer-leadership-institutes/summer-leadership-institute-application/ · Recommendation Form https://www.21stcenturyleaders.org/for-students/summer-leadership-institutes/recommendation-form/ · There is NO cost for students to attend EarthCare · The deadline for EarthCare applications is March 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by email in early April. Note that no prior leadership experience (or GPA) is required, just the potential and willingness to grow! In fact, 64% of students reported that attending 2024 EarthCare was their first time participating in a program focused on developing leadership skills. If you have any questions, please stop by counseling and talk to Mrs. Kendall.

Tomorrow is a big day at ULHS. Parent-Teacher Conferences run from 3:30pm-5:30pm. Following conferences, in the HS Gym, will be an information meeting for the incoming class of 2029. If you have a current 8th grader we look forward to answering your questions tomorrow evening. If you cannot attend the information meeting, please reach out to the school with your questions by calling 706-647-8171.

Any senior that is interested in taking the ASVAB on March 7th must sign up in the guidance office no later than March 4th. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a heavily researched and well-respected aptitude test developed by the Department of Defense. It measures a young adult's strengths and potential for success in military training.

ULHS Principal Mr. Ricky English has announced the Class of 2025 Honor Graduates. These seniors have a numerical average of 93.0 or above (as calculated by school/student Information System). BIG CONGRATULATIONS to the ULHS 2025 Honor Graduates!!! Phakeylah Andrews, Ryan Anglin, Zakhyia Atwater, Addison Baughcum, Dustin Brooks, Dh'King Brown, Georgia Clark, April Cummings, Evie Daniel, Kiona Daniel, Aiden Daniely, Kaden Duke, Addison Ellington, Kendall Flowers , Jakobe Franklin, Kylie Gooden, Jacy Harrell, Kalisha Harvey, Ava Hemphill, Gregory Hughley, Brodee Hurt, Ava Jaudon, Kadence Johnson, Nytraevion Jones, De’Asiah Kendall, Kameria Kendall, Erika Legg, Ella Matthews, Athens McGlon, Allison McKinley, Kenzi Middlebrooks, JerCareya Neal, Zameer Rivers, Adriano Santos, Charity Santos, Francisco Santos, Hope Santos, Tereso Santos, Lily Sheppard, McKayla Thornton, Abigale Underwood, Brian Ventura, Grayson Weeks, Braden Williams, Amarah Wilson, Kiersten Wilson-Peoples #ULProud #weareUL #classof2025

ULHS Principal Mr. Ricky English has announced the Class of 2025 Knights of Academic Distinction. These seniors have a numerical average of 95.0 or above (as calculated by the school/student information system in December) and have completed four Honors, Dual Enrollment, and/or Advanced Placement courses in each of the core content areas (E/LA, Math, Science, Social Studies). Three of the above-mentioned courses must be Advanced Placement (AP) and/or Dual Enrollment (DE) courses in at least three different core content areas. BIG CONGRATULATIONS to the ULHS 2025 Knights of Academic Distinction!!! Lily Dover Entrekin Baity, Colton Douglas Cagle, Fiona Marie Chambers, Landry Brandon English (Valedictorian), Lexi Noel Greene, Kit Marie Logan (Salutatorian), James Ian Mayer, Lauren Grace O'Linger, Ronik Jayesh Patel, Karsen Lanier Pitts, Alexa Zuleyka Velasco, Kayden Danielle Wisham, and Trey Edward Webb #ULProud #weareUL #classof2025

As we welcome students back to school this morning we want to be sure you are aware that we have parent-teacher conferences at ULHS this Thursday from 3:30pm-5:30pm. Following conferences we will hold the annual incoming Freshman information meeting. If you have a current 8th grader or know someone who does please be sure they know to come by the high school Thursday at 5:45pm to get information and ask questions.

Upson-Lee High School Principal Mr. Ricky English has announced the Class of 2025 Top 2 Seniors. Landry Brandon English is the 2025 Valedictorian and Kit Marie Logan is Salutatorian. Valedictorian is the senior with the highest overall numeric average who has also completed four Honors, Dual Enrollment, and/or Advanced Placement courses in each of the core content areas (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies). Three of the above mentioned courses must be Advanced Placement and/or Dual Enrollment courses in at least three different content areas. Student must have been enrolled at ULHS in the junior year before the 2nd 9 weeks began and the entire senior year to be considered for this honor. Salutatorian is the student with the second highest overall numeric average who has completed the same courses described for eligibility of the Valedictorian. Pictured with English and Logan are ULHS Principal Mr. Ricky English and T-U Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico. CONGRATULATIONS to these OUTSTANDING ULHS students!!!

Mrs. Norris’s AP U.S. history students brought the American Revolution to life today by researching key figures from the era and personifying them in a meet and greet activity! Students embodied historical figures and shared insights on their impact and role in the war.

Students in U.S. history took part in a gallery walk focused on Civil War battles. They explored key events, practiced literacy strategies to summarize important information, and used map skills to answer questions about the battles’ locations and significance.

Ms. Crook's ELA students creating their one pager literary analysis. Students are tasked with creating literary posters of a chosen science fiction short story and must create insightful analysis of both the story and its connection to the real world.

Important Knight News! On Friday February 14th at 8:30am, Upson-Lee High School will announce the 2024-2025 valedictorian and salutatorian. In addition, honor graduates and Knights of Distinction for each grade level will be announced. If you anticipate receiving one of these awards, please be present prior to 8:30am for the photos that will be taken!

Basketball is BACK tonight in the CASTLE! your boys Upson-Lee Running Knights host a playoff matchup against the Whitewater Wildcats at 7pm at Upson-Lee High School. You must purchase your tickets via GOFan. You can pay online at this link below or you can scan the QR Code when you get to the game. Tickets are $10. Buy tickets now: https://gofan.co/event/3204288?schoolId=GA5360 . As a reminder, your phone is your ticket. The GHSA controls all playoff games. Since this is region play, any Thomaston-Upson issued passes will be not be honored. GHSA passes will be the only passes accepted. Upson-Lee High School will also be hosting a girl's matchup between Sandy Creek and LaGrange tonight at 6:00 pm. Our varsity girls basketball team will play on the road versus Troup Co High School tonight at 6:00 pm. The game will be hosted at LaGrange High School. 

Sophomore Fallyn Riney participated today at the 2025 Westminster Dog show with her Shetland Sheepdog, LJ! She made it to the Final Cut of the junior showmanship!! In addition, her mother and ULHS instructional coach, Kelly Riney along with Fallyn won award of merits in shelties with LJ and his son! This is awesome!

Upson-Lee High School will host the first round of region basketball play on 2/11/25. Our Running Knights will play at 7:30pm. Admission is $10 and will only be available for purchase through Go Fan. The Go Fan QR code will be available as you enter the building or you may purchase admission ahead of time with the link that will be shared tomorrow once the bracket has been updated with our opponent. . The GHSA controls all playoff games. Since this is region play, any Thomaston-Upson issued passes will be not be honored. GHSA passes will be the only passes accepted.

The ULHS Science Olympiad team competed this weekend at the regional competition held at Berry College. Seniors David Eppinger and Logan Slaughter took home first place in the Air Trajectory event. The duo designed and built a compressed-air-powered device capable of launching projectiles with precision to hit targets at varying heights and distances.

Staff and Students, we need your help for our Blood Drive!! Check out the flyer for full details.

CALLING ALL SENIORS!!! Bring your final college or military acceptance letter or commitment to a job to the guidance office by April 15, 2025. We have BIG PLANS to celebrate your future.