RINGGOLD, Ga. -- Joe Baron wasn't sure what to expect as he approached what was left of Ringgold High School in early May of 2011. Baron, the co-owner of Warner's Athletic Construction, was answering a call for help from a community that was down and nearly out.

What Baron found was crumpled steel, ripped-away fences, hunks of concrete moved hundreds of yards -- and school administrators in a daze of disbelief. Scoreboards had disappeared.

In the grand scheme of things following the EF-4 rated tornado that hit the community on April 27, a few obliterated athletic fields should have been the least of the concern.

Lives had been lost, hundreds of homes and businesses destroyed. The landscape of this quiet part of northwest Georgia was changed dramatically and much work had to be done, and the rebuilding of the school's athletic facilities was considered an important part of the emotional recovery.

Not only did county leaders work to get a plan in place to rebuild the facilities from the ground up, but they decided to go the extra mile and create something special.

"Sports are community events," Catoosa County Schools Superintendent Denia Reese said. "For students, participation in sports and attending school events builds school spirit, and these activities hold memories and traditions for generations of alumni.

"There is one word to describe how I felt when I approached Ringgold High School on April 28, 2011: 'paralyzed.' Ringgold High School and Ringgold Middle School were significantly damaged, and the campus and athletic facilities were destroyed. Read more... 

Anna Rutledge - Darlington School 

Anna Rutledge is ranked 4th in her class at The Darlington School.  She is a member of Cum Laude Society, a Furman Scholar, National Honor Society, Samford University Fellows finalist, Samford University Presidential Scholar finalist and Wellesley Book Award recipient.

Anna participated in swimming for four years and was named Scholar Athlete and qualified for state.  She also was a Lacrosse player for 3 years and was named Scholar Athlete and won the Lady Tiger Spirit Award.

As a leader she is on the Executive Committee of the Honor Council and Vice-President of the Y Cabinet, a member of the Student Planning Committee, D-Club and FCA.

Some of her community service includes West Rome Boys' and Girls' Club, Youth Ministry Team, Habitat for Humanity, Desoto Theatre volunteer, Rome mission team member and Baptist Church Day Camp Big Buddy.  

Anna is a leader with her peers and plans to attend the University of Georgia, Samford University or Furman University.

Michael Gouge from Brookwood High School was a scholar and All Academic athlete. In a school of 3500 hundred students he ranks 6oth of over 750 in his class

He participated in football for 4 years, basketball for 3 years and baseball for 4 years.  He won honors as 2010 Dugout Player of the Week, Georgia Dugout Cub's State Top 100 player to watch, 2010 GHSA State Team Elite 8, Team USA National School Baseball Tournament Invitational Top 16 Invitee and the Vince Dooley Athletes for a Better World Award in 2012.

Michael was a peer leader, a food service volunteer and a Special Education Class assistant.  His community service includes Learning Together Child Care Center and Miracle League Special Needs player assistant.

He is a leader on and off the field and plans to attend Valdosta State University.

Director of Athletics

Atlanta Public Schools 

April 2012 GHSA Newsletter