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Author: Colin Frick

Broadcast

Nic Stone Activates Students Minds With Novel, “Dear Martin”

January 8, 2018 Colin Frick Broadcast,  Colin Frick,  Dominic Bielli,  Nic Stone,  WJAG TV 0 min read
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BluePrints Magazine, Vol. XXVI Issue 1, October 2025

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Official Instagram account of Cedar BluePrints Magazine at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, GA

Photos from our Holiday Party! Photos by Katie K Photos from our Holiday Party! 

Photos by Katie Kulik.
Linda Phillips founded Nuçi’s Space on Sept. 20, 2 Linda Phillips founded Nuçi’s Space on Sept. 20, 2000 to commemorate her son, Nuçi Phillips after he took his own life. Since then, the organization has sought to prevent suicide, especially among musicians, and reduce the stigma surrounding the topic of mental health. 25 years later, Nuçi’s Space will celebrate their anniversary with a benefit concert on Dec. 12 at 7:30 pm at the Georgia Theater.

Nuçi’s Space has become a pillar Athens music community, with their various youth programs such as Camp Amped and their services for Athens musicians like rehearsal and recording studios as well as rental instruments. 

For their 25th anniversary Nuçi’s Space has partnered with Condor Chocolates to create a limited edition chocolate bar. The benefit concert will feature performances from 11 bands and artists: Patterson Hood, David Barbe, Kyshona, Modern Skirts, Claire Campbell, Willow Avalon, Annie Leeth, Elf Power, The Cut-Outs House band, Faye Webster and Kevn Kinney. All of the performers have connections with Nuçi’s Space or Athens in some way, chosen to showcase the culture of music in Athens.

Caption by Maggie Gillan. Photos by Julianna Robledo-Briseno and Jillian Stirn.
Downtown Athens flooded with patrons and floats fo Downtown Athens flooded with patrons and floats for the annual Downtown  Parade of Lights on Dec. 4. The parade included an assortment of floats and participants from elementary schools and dance teams to local businesses and companies. The Cedar Shoals Classic City Sound marching band led the parade playing “Sonic Boom,” “Big Ballin’,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Five & Four.” 

Senior woodwind lieutenant Karisma Muhammad is grateful for the opportunity to play in the parade to show everyone what they are capable of. 

“I get to see everyone in Athens enjoy what we work hard to learn,” Muhammad said. 

Story by Katie Kulik. Photos by Katie Kulik and Emma Nichols.
Make sure you stop by A206 for your copy of our fi Make sure you stop by A206 for your copy of our first issue!!
BluePrints staff attended the JEA/NSPA National Hi BluePrints staff attended the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Nashville Nov. 13-16. Staff members attended different sessions and critiques on the group’s first ever trip to a national convention. Senior Co-Editor-in-Chief Lilly Cohen thought that the conference was a way to bond with the staff while also learning about new things to bring back to the publication. 

“It was a good opportunity to be with our staff in a setting other than the classroom and I feel like we all had fun being in the convention center. Also, seeing how other schools from across the country run their publications was eye opening and it broke this sort of bubble we’re in,” Cohen said. 

Caption and photos by Katie Kulik.
Having so much fun in Nashville, TN for NSPA!! Having so much fun in Nashville, TN for NSPA!!
The first home meet of the year for the Aqua Jags The first home meet of the year for the Aqua Jags on Nov. 8 resulted positively with six state cuts: two from sophomore Lauren Neace, two from senior Christopher Koch and two from the boys A-team relay consisting of sophomore Van Thang, junior Nate Guidry, senior Ben Graichen and Koch. The meet also resulted in the boys team getting fourth place, girls receiving eighth place and the overall team earning seventh place out of 11 teams. 

While this meet resulted in a positive score, it also started a new season. The Jags participated not only in the swim meet but also the diving competition for the first time with freshman Zackary Green. Head coach Bee Nordgren believes that having a diver on the team creates a new aspect to the team. 

“Finally having a diver on our team has a positive effect on them because it adds to the diversity and dimension to the team,” Nordgren said. 

Caption by Katie Kulik. Photos by Owen Morgan and Julianna Robledo-Briseno.
The Cedar Shoals Jaguar varsity flag football team The Cedar Shoals Jaguar varsity flag football team faced off against the Oconee Warriors and the Athens Academy Spartans on Nov. 4. The Jaguars suffered a tough loss against the Warriors 28-0. The loss made them play harder against the Spartans, who the Jaguars defeated 19-0. 

Sophomore quarterback Riley Freeman believes that changing the way they played against Oconee helped drive home the win against Athens Academy. 

“As a team we didn’t put up a single point in that game so going into the next game I wanted to make sure it didn’t end the same way. We needed to be more aggressive on defense and have better communication. After fixing those things we definitely played a different game,” Freeman said. 

Photos and story by Katie Kulik
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Official Instagram account of Cedar BluePrints Magazine at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, GA

Governors Honors Program (GHP) is a four week inte Governors Honors Program (GHP) is a four week intensive program for rising high school juniors and seniors that focuses on indulging the students in their major academic interests. Attendees also have the opportunity to meet like minded students and experience a college lifestyle. This year, Cedar Shoals will send 10 semifinalists to interview or audition for a coveted spot in the summer program.

Sophomore John Driscoll was nominated for GHP by Social Studies teacher Robert Olin. On Friday Feb. 6, the semifinalists were announced, and Driscoll was excited to hear he had made it.

“I was with my friends for the announcement and I was happy I made it through. Some of my other friends did too, so I was really happy about that as well,” Driscoll said.

Senior Ella Conway attended the program in 2024 at Georgia Southern University studying visual arts and experiencing a different day to day life than what high school offers.

“If you don’t have a subject that you really like doing and you would like spending hours on every day, I don’t think it’s for you, but for the students that have a passion and want to try and go as far as they can, I feel this is absolutely a good pursuit. This experience gives you opportunities to meet like-minded people, learn what college life is going to be like, and learn lots of skills in your specific major area,” Conway said. 

Swipe through the graphics to see each Cedar Shoals semifinalist and their nomination information. Story by Jillian Stirn. Photos and graphics by Katie Kulik, Sophie Meile and Lilly Cohen.
Both the Cedar Shoals girls and boys varsity baske Both the Cedar Shoals girls and boys varsity basketball teams reigned supreme in the Classic City Championship once again, sweeping the home and away games this season with wins last Saturday. 

The Lady Jags won 43-27 on Feb 7, with the boys winning 61-40. 

Sophomore point guard Riley Freeman thinks the team desired to win again to prove that it wasn’t a one time thing. 

“The atmosphere of it being a rivalry game made us as a team hungry to win and prove that the first win wasn’t a coincidence. For me personally, the atmosphere made me want to prove myself to people in my hometown,” Freeman said. “I wasn’t having the best game but my teammates were hot, so to secure the win I relied more on playing my role as a point guard to make sure my team put points on the board.” 

Photos by Katie Kulik, Aiden Brown and Keiwon Metcalf.
Athens residents gathered downtown on Feb. 8 to pr Athens residents gathered downtown on Feb. 8 to protest the expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The protest was organized in cooperation between the Athens-Clarke County Democratic Party, Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition, Athens Party for Socialism and Liberation and other groups. It took place at city hall, where protesters marched through downtown and finished at the postal building. Ella Blakely is a member of the AIRC and helped organize the event.

“I think we had a great turnout. It was really great to see how the energy shifted, from people being timid at the start of the march to really getting loud and strong, and feeling their collective power,” Blakely said.

Junior Jordy Garfias, attended the protest to show support for his parents.

“I showed out because they couldn’t. I needed to be there because they would want me to, and I know they couldn’t. Right now they’re scared just to drive or to go to work. I had the opportunity, so I went, I took it, I spoke out,” Garfias said.

Caption by Eli Stone. Photos by Julianna Robledo-Briseno and Eli Stone.
The varsity Cedar Shoals girls and boys varsity ba The varsity Cedar Shoals girls and boys varsity basketball teams recognized the seniors of the class of ‘26 during their games against Flowery Branch. Both teams ended the night with another win: the boys winning 66-42 and girls 42-15. The boys team record stands at 14-8 and the girls 12-9.

The Jaguars will play in the second round of the Classic City Championship this Saturday with the girls tipping off at 2 p.m. and the boys at 3:30 p.m. 

Caption by Katie Kulik. Photos by Aiden Brown and Keiwon Metcalf.
Seniors Christopher Koch, Ben Graichen, Nolan Denn Seniors Christopher Koch, Ben Graichen, Nolan Dennison, Emmett Cummings, and Alexa Garza-Gaona, as well as their families, joined to finish off the swim season and celebrate their final year on the team. Dennison has been on the team for the past six years, starting his Aqua Jags career in the 7th grade. He feels that throughout his time on the team he made memories and learned valuable lessons. 

“I met a lot of great people on Aqua Jags, and especially last year. One thing I really got out of it was just a sense of community and just genuine sportsmanship,” Dennison said.

All seniors are participating in the GHSA state swimming and diving championships Feb. 4-5 at Georgia Tech.

Photos and story by Julianna Robledo-Briseno.
To kick off soccer season, the boys and girls socc To kick off soccer season, the boys and girls soccer teams held a kickoff dinner for coaches, players and family members on Feb. 3. This year the Cedar Shoals soccer program has a total of five teams: boys varsity, two boys JV teams, varsity girls and JV girls. Girls soccer coach Hannah Doolittle is excited to see the full extent of the extended teams.

“I’m really happy with where we are skill-wise and competition-wise. I think we can hang on the varsity level with nearly any team that we play, and the fact that we have a JV team now means that we’re going to continue to be able to do that on the varsity, because we have lots of talent development going,” Doolittle said.

Photos and caption by Lilly Cohen.
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Weekly poll

Sports this week

DateEventTime/ResultsVenue
2026-02-03 18:00:11February 3, 2026 Varsity Girls Basketball vs. Flowery Branch 18:00:116:00 pm
N/A
2026-02-03 19:30:27February 3, 2026 Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Flowery Branch 19:30:277:30 pm
N/A
2026-02-04 10:00:36February 4, 2026 Swim State Championship 10:00:36TBD
N/A
2026-02-05 18:00:43February 5, 2026 Varsity Girls Basketball @ Clarke Central 18:00:436:00 pm
N/A
2026-02-06 10:30:39February 6, 2026 Varsity Boys Basketball @ East Forsyth 10:30:3910:30 am
N/A
2026-02-06 19:00:31February 6, 2026 Varsity Girls Basketball @ East Forsyth 19:00:317:00 pm
N/A
2026-02-07 09:00:07February 7, 2026 Wrestling @ Harris County 09:00:07TBD
N/A
2026-02-07 09:00:28February 7, 2026 Rifle Playoffs @ Cedar Shoals 09:00:289:00 am
N/A
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