Send us a text

At just 10 years old, Kalani already has the travel baseball rings to rival Tom Brady. He’s been playing since he was six and has racked up game-winning runs, MVP titles, and even took home the “Fastest Runner” award at Ripken Myrtle Beach. That was also the site of one of his favorite memories—walking it off with the winning run and grabbing MVP in the same game.

Kalani started out as a catcher but quickly realized he belonged on the mound. Pitcher is now his favorite spot, and he’s got the arsenal to back it up: fastball, cutter, curveball, and a sharp slider. When asked whether he'd rather get the final out or drive in the winning run, it was an easy choice. Pitching gets him locked in.

His favorite place he's played is Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Something about the mountains and sky made it feel like he was playing above the clouds. But as fun as travel tournaments are, he’s quick to point out how much work it takes. Practice four days a week, then games all weekend. It’s a grind, but one he clearly loves.

Kalani’s pregame routine is simple—just one deep breath to get focused. Since he started, he’s proudest of how far his hitting has come. He’s on a team made up of the best of the best in the region, and he’s got big goals ahead. High school, college ball, and hopefully a shot at the MLB. If he had to choose, he’d suit up for the Braves.

He wrapped the interview with advice for anyone chasing a sport or skill. “Keep going. Don’t give up. Don’t stop even when you feel like you can’t.” He gave shoutouts to his brothers, his teams, and especially his mom for always being there, driving him wherever he needs to go.

Kalani is the kind of student-athlete who makes you believe that the big dreams aren’t too big after all. Stay Hootworthy, Kalani!

🎙️ Hootworthy: The Podcast That Gives a Hoot
We’re all about spotlighting the incredible students and faculty of GCA—their achievements, passions, and stories that deserve to be heard. Watch full episodes on YouTube: Hootworthy Playlist

📲 Follow, subscribe, and share—because every story deserves a spotlight!

Send us a text

When Dr. Felicia Lowman-Sikes walked into the kitchen during her lunch break and saw the GCA leadership team waiting, she had no idea what was coming. She was about to be named District Teacher of the Year. Cue the cameras, a little disbelief, and a lot of emotion.

Felicia teaches kindergarten and brings energy, heart, and a love of learning into every lesson. She sings songs about nouns. She plans Fun Fridays with color themes and silly wigs. Her goal is simple. She wants every student to feel loved and to love learning.

She didn’t always plan on being a teacher. Law school was the original path until one education class gave her a glimpse of the classroom. That moment changed everything. She went on to earn her doctorate in curriculum and instruction and says she keeps learning because she wants to make a real difference.

One of the best compliments she’s ever received came after the school year ended. A student sent her a voice message saying he missed her, wanted to come back to school, and loved her. That kind of love sticks.

Outside the classroom, Felicia finds peace in the outdoors. She loves gardening, hiking, and camping with her family. Her students have taught her a lot too. She’s learned to stay resilient and not take life too seriously.

She gives credit to her entire primary team, her co-teachers, her parapro Kay, her administrators, and her husband and daughter. This award is a celebration of her impact, but also of the people who support her along the way.

🎙️ Hootworthy: The Podcast That Gives a Hoot
We’re all about spotlighting the incredible students and faculty of GCA—their achievements, passions, and stories that deserve to be heard. Watch full episodes on YouTube: Hootworthy Playlist

📲 Follow, subscribe, and share—because every story deserves a spotlight!

Send us a text

Omolade is GCA’s 2025 Valedictorian—but her story goes beyond grades. She’s an encourager, an athlete, and a future nurse with a mindset built on faith, hard work, and heart. In this episode, she shares how she stayed grounded, what helped her push through, and why showing up as yourself matters most. Enjoy the show.

🎙️ Hootworthy: The Podcast That Gives a Hoot
We’re all about spotlighting the incredible students and faculty of GCA—their achievements, passions, and stories that deserve to be heard. Watch full episodes on YouTube: Hootworthy Playlist

📲 Follow, subscribe, and share—because every story deserves a spotlight!

Send us a text

Malaki didn’t even want to try Taekwondo at first. A year later, he’s undefeated and a national champ. In this episode, we talk about how he pushed past doubt, stayed focused under pressure, and built the mindset that took him from nervous beginner to confident competitor.

🎙️ Hootworthy: The Podcast That Gives a Hoot
We’re all about spotlighting the incredible students and faculty of GCA—their achievements, passions, and stories that deserve to be heard. Watch full episodes on YouTube: Hootworthy Playlist

📲 Follow, subscribe, and share—because every story deserves a spotlight!

Send us a text

Lily didn’t grow up dreaming of aerial silks—she just decided to give it a shot. What started as a Christmas gift quickly turned into a passion, but the journey wasn’t easy. From failed first attempts (she’s not submitting video proof) to pushing past self-doubt in a room full of trained aerialists, Lily’s story is about persistence, creativity, and proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you think. Tune in as she shares the highs, the struggles, and the unexpected lessons she’s taking with her as she heads to college. Because sometimes, the hardest part isn’t the drop—it’s deciding to climb in the first place.

🎙️ Hootworthy: The Podcast That Gives a Hoot
We’re all about spotlighting the incredible students and faculty of GCA—their achievements, passions, and stories that deserve to be heard. Watch full episodes on YouTube: Hootworthy Playlist

📲 Follow, subscribe, and share—because every story deserves a spotlight!

Send us a text

Hootworthy Students Ellie and Arwen Soar at GCA’s 2024 Science and Social Studies Fair

Georgia Cyber Academy students Ellie and Arwen took home top honors for secondary grades at the 2024 Social Studies and Science Fair held at the Tellus Museum. Ellie’s science project explored how train weight impacts speed, while Arwen’s social studies project highlighted the innovations and impacts of World War I.

Inspiration Behind the Projects

Ellie was inspired by a video in class on electromagnetic trains and tested whether heavier or lighter trains would be faster. Surprisingly, the heavier train won. Arwen chose World War I because it’s less discussed than World War II and focused on its lasting impacts, including trench warfare, technological advances like tanks and submarines, and banned weapons like mustard gas.

Highlights of the Day

At the Tellus Museum, students set up their projects and had a chance to chat with classmates and parents. For virtual learners like Ellie and Arwen, meeting peers in person was a highlight. Ellie reconnected with a classmate who placed second, while Arwen met many classmates for the first time.

When the winners were announced, both were shocked. “I couldn’t believe it!” Ellie said, while Arwen admitted she was “shaking like crazy” when her name was called.

Advice for Future Participants

Arwen suggests, “Don’t overthink it—just have fun.” Ellie encourages students to be creative and unique with their ideas.

What They Love About GCA

Ellie appreciates GCA’s helpful teachers and variety of classes, while Arwen enjoys learning from home. Both agreed the fair was rewarding, especially meeting peers and seeing the Tellus Museum.

Congrats to Ellie and Arwen for their amazing achievements–stay Hootworthy!

🎙️ Hootworthy: The Podcast That Gives a Hoot
We’re all about spotlighting the incredible students and faculty of GCA—their achievements, passions, and stories that deserve to be heard. Watch full episodes on YouTube: Hootworthy Playlist

📲 Follow, subscribe, and share—because every story deserves a spotlight!

Send us a text

In our recent Hootworthy interview, we chatted with Kayleigh, a 7th grader at GCA who's making waves in both the horse eventing and entrepreneurial worlds. Kayleigh started riding horses at the age of five, and her love for horses led her to the exciting sport of horse eventing. Her ten-year-old horse, Bold, has been her trusty companion for the past two years and is a big fan of the horse treats she makes.

Kayleigh's horse treats business began four years ago when she wanted to make special goodbye treats for a horse who was leaving. Using simple ingredients like flour, molasses, and royal icing, her treats are even safe for humans to eat. Friends loved her creations, and soon enough, she was selling treats at shows, via her website, and through Instagram. Kayleigh often walks around horse shows with a wagon full of treats, and her business thrives at these events.

For those unfamiliar with horse eventing, there are three phases: dressage, cross country, and show jumping. Kayleigh and Bold compete in dressage and show jumping but aren’t quite ready for cross-country, even though it’s Kayleigh’s favorite phase. She trains five days a week, working with her trainer to perfect their performance. Kayleigh's commitment to training paid off when she won a contest on Instagram, earning a chance to meet Canadian Equestrian Team athlete, Hawley Bennett-Awad, and her celebrity horse, Jolly Bo, at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, where she personally delivered her homemade treats. Check out this article that features her experience.

Balancing her schooling with her busy schedule, Kayleigh appreciates GCA's flexibility, allowing her to attend horse shows and catch up on classes through recordings. She gives a big shoutout to her supportive mom, her fantastic teachers, and of course, Bold, for making her achievements possible. Kayleigh's story is a true testament to what hard work and creativity can accomplish. Stay hootworthy, Kayleigh!

🎙️ Hootworthy: The Podcast That Gives a Hoot
We’re all about spotlighting the incredible students and faculty of GCA—their achievements, passions, and stories that deserve to be heard. Watch full episodes on YouTube: Hootworthy Playlist

📲 Follow, subscribe, and share—because every story deserves a spotlight!

Send us a text

In our latest Hootworthy interview, we chatted with Abby, a 2023 GCA graduate who found great success through GCA's work-based learning program at Zaxby’s. Abby’s journey began in 10th grade when she started working at Zaxby’s and later joined the Work-Based Learning Program thanks to a teacher’s suggestion. This program allowed her to balance work and school effectively, earning credit hours while gaining valuable on-the-job experience.

Abby set her sights on becoming an assistant manager and achieved that goal shortly after graduation. She chose Zaxby’s because she loved the brand, and the Work-Based Learning Program helped her grow as a worker while still attending school. Now, as an assistant manager, she’s responsible for leading a team of 8-10 people per shift, handling various challenges, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Her days are dynamic, with each day bringing new tasks and situations.

Balancing work and college, Abby works 35-45 hours a week, a feat she manages thanks to the skills she developed during high school. Reflecting on her high school experience, where she worked around 20 hours a week, Abby credits the Work-Based Learning Program with preparing her for her current schedule. She believes communication is key to leadership and stays open to dialogue with her team, leaders, and customers.

One of Abby’s most memorable moments was meeting Zack, the founder of Zaxby’s, who visited her store and had a meal. She advises students in work-based learning to go out and find a job, learn new skills, and enjoy the experience. For those who already have a job, she points out the benefits of earning credits while gaining work experience.

Looking ahead, Abby hopes to graduate from college and continue her career at Zaxby’s, potentially staying in the store. She gave a heartfelt shoutout to her school, the teacher who introduced her to the work-based learning program, and her company and boss for their support and guidance. Abby’s story is a great example of how work-based learning can lead to success and personal growth. Stay hootworthy, Abby

🎙️ Hootworthy: The Podcast That Gives a Hoot
We’re all about spotlighting the incredible students and faculty of GCA—their achievements, passions, and stories that deserve to be heard. Watch full episodes on YouTube: Hootworthy Playlist

📲 Follow, subscribe, and share—because every story deserves a spotlight!