Atlanta Public Schools’ Virginia-Highland Elementary got a visit from Freddie Falcon to celebrate Falcons Friday to “Rise Up!” for Atlanta Falcons Football!!
Amir Robinson has had his sights set on graduation since the seventh grade when he learned about dual enrollment and career certifications from a teacher. Growing up as the third oldest of nine children, Robinson learned the value of responsibility and teamwork at a young age.
Since then, he has been diligently pursuing his passion for sports and education. What started as a plan to graduate high school early eventually turned into a love for the culinary arts and an opportunity to play Division 1 football.
Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout his eighth grade and freshman years, Robinson was determined to stay academically engaged. By enrolling in the Atlanta Virtual Academy and taking middle and high school courses simultaneously, he was able to focus on football as well as pursue other interests.
Those interests guided him to the Atlanta College and Career Academy (ACCA), where he gained his certification in Culinary Arts after developing a passion for cooking from his family’s long line of phenomenal cooks.
Although Robinson’s passions led him to graduate on time instead of early, his path secured a football scholarship to the United States Military Academy at West Point where he will play linebacker and major in engineering management.
Robinson graduates May 21 from B.E.S.T. Academy as a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, captain of the varsity football team, and as one of Atlanta Public Schools’ (APS) eight REACH Georgia Scholars for the Class of 2024.
Self-directed and goal-oriented, Robinson is an accomplished example of the APS Profile of a Graduate.
We sat down with Robinson during his final week of school to learn about his future plans and what inspired his determination.
B.E.S.T. Academy Class of 2024 senior Amir Robinson. Photo credit: Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
What peaked your interest in Culinary Arts?
Growing up in the culture that I did, my mom, grandmother, and my aunts knew how to cook. It was always a competition when it came to cooking. Everybody just wanted to be able to cook the best and so I found a little passion in that. I decided this is what I want to do. Maybe, if I’m good enough at it, I can take it somewhere and do something with it in the future. But for right now, I’m just doing it because I enjoy it.
Would you recommend someone enroll in the ACCA program?
I would because you are able to get your legal certification in certain pathways that would allow you to gain real world experience. For example, I’m certified. I can go work at a restaurant right now without having to take that course because you have to take courses before you can work in fast food and restaurants, but I already have that classification.
What are your plans after graduation?
This coming fall I will be attending the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York. I will be majoring in engineering management. After my tenure at the school is over, I will be enlisting as a military officer.
How do you plan to use your degree at West Point to be of service in the military?
There are different occupations you can take up in the military with an engineering degree, but I personally want to be an on-base engineer. You have different types of field engineers and different types of on-base engineers. You have those who work on vehicles, those who work on a plethora of other things. But I personally want to fit in where I can and just learn what I can to be the best at.
What’s one fun fact about you that others don’t know?
I’m a pretty normal person, so I don’t really get into a lot of stuff. I just like working out and getting done what I have to get done. But a fun fact about myself that I would say is, if I wasn’t going to school for football, it would definitely be baseball or golf.
The North Atlanta Warriors football team continues to make history for their program.
Last season, the Warriors made the second round of the playoffs and finished the season with 8-4. They finished third in 6A-Region4, but it was the most successful season in North Atlanta football history.
Until this year.
North Atlanta (7-0) is undefeated with only three regular season games left on the schedule. It’s the best start in program history. The Warriors have never finished first or second in their region. But with this team, that could also change.
“Our kids have worked really hard dating back to last January to kind of build on what we did last year,” North Atlanta head football coach Jamie Aull said. “We would start the year 4-0 and then drop a game or two, and it was good to see them get over that hump and get to 5-0 for the first time in school history and then just add to it every week.”
The Warriors began the year with a dominant 58-14 win over Johns Creek in the Corky Kell Football Classic and have continued to put up incredible offensive numbers all season.
“We started really hot offensively in that first game against Johns Creek and the guys have continued to produce,” Aull said. “It’s been a team effort. It hasn’t been centered around one guy. Everybody has contributed.”
Schedule:
- 8/16 N. Atl def. Johns Creek 58-14
- 8/24 N. Atl def. Drew 48-0
- 9/01 N. Atl def. New Manchester 41-7
- 9/08 N. Atl def. River Ridge 52-18
- 9/16 N. Atl def. Wheeler 30-22
- 9/29 N. Atl def. St. Pius X 31-8
- 10/6 N. Atl def. Riverwood 37-21
- 10/19 N. Atl vs. Marist (6-1)
- 10/27 N. Atl vs. South Cobb (0-7)
- 11/03 N. Atl vs. Dunwoody (6-1)
The final three region games left for North Atlanta will shape the 6A Region 4 playoff picture. The top four teams in each region make the playoffs, but the top two seeds get to host the opening rounds.
Marist (6-1) is next on the schedule for the Warriors and has been a challenging opponent for North Atlanta in the past.
“Our kids remember what it was like. They kind of circled this game,” Aull said. “Everybody is locked in for this one to see what we can do and hopefully compete a little better than we did last year.”
However Thursday’s game turns out, North Atlanta remains on pace to reach the playoffs and rewrite the North Atlanta football record books again.
“It’s just exciting around the school building,” Aull said. “It’s just awesome that everyone is invested in it and want to see us succeed week to week.”
Lucas England kicks off the 2023 Georgia High School football season at the Corky Kell Dave Hunter Classic. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta’s Xaden Benson gets past the defense for a touchdown. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta quarterback Ian Reynolds hands the ball to Demeitrus Barnes for the first touchdown of the season. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta cheerleaders (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta cheerleaders (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta running back Demeitrus Barnes runs up the middle (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta quarterback Ian Reynolds throws a pass. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta head football coach Jamie Aull (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta quarterback Ian Reynolds drops back to pass.(photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta running back Demeitrus Barnes fights through a tackle.(photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta running back Demeitrus Barnes rushed for three touchdowns in the season opener.(photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta band and dance team (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta band. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta drum major(photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta band (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta cheerleaders. (photo: Thomas Scott) 
North Atlanta drummers. (photo: Thomas Scott)
Douglass High School senior Juan Powell will lead the Astros into their first round playoff game against Pepperell, Friday, at Lakewood Stadium.
Douglass High School leads a group of six Atlanta Public Schools high schools with football teams that have advanced to the Georgia High Schools Association playoffs, beginning Friday.
The Astros finished the regular season 9-1, good enough for the No. 2 seed from Region 6 of Class AA. The nine wins is the most for Douglass since 2004. The team is led by senior Juan Powell, one of the state’s top athletes. He is committed to East Carolina University.
Douglass will host Pepperell (Floyd County), the No. 3 seed from Region 7, Friday at 7:30 p.m., at Lakewood Stadium. This is the third consecutive season the Astros have advanced to the state playoffs.
“In a season filled with many ups and downs for our programs, I am proud to announce that we have six teams that have advanced to the first round of the GHSA state playoffs,” said APS Director of Athletics Jasper Jewell. “This has been without a doubt one of the best coaching performances of all high schools this year. Last year produced a lot of seniors who graduated and are now student-athletes on the collegiate level. I am extremely proud of this group of awesome men who lead our [teams] into battle each and every week.”
Here is the full list of APS teams in the state playoffs (all start times are 7:30 p.m.):
Carver at Kell (Cobb County), C.J. Kell Stadium in Marietta
Carver finished the season 5-5 and is the No. 3 seed from Region 6, Class AAAAA. Kell is 8-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 7.
Maynard Jackson at Rome (Rome City Schools), Barron Stadium in Rome
Maynard Jackson finished 6-4 and is the No. 4 seed from Region 6, Class AAAAA. Rome is 10-0, the three-time Region 7 champions and two-time Class AAAAA state champions. The Wolves have won 37 consecutive games.
Mays at Lanier (Gwinnett County), Lanier High School Stadium in Sugar Hill
Mays finished 6-4 and is the No. 3 seed from Region 5, Class AAAAAA. Lanier is 7-3 and the No. 2 seed from Region 8.
South Atlanta at Rockmart (Polk County), The Rock in Rockmart
South Atlanta finished 6-4 and is the No. 4 seed from Region 6, Class AA. Rockmart is 10-0 and the Region 7 champions.
Washington at Chattooga (Chattooga County), Little Big Horn Stadium in Summerville
Washington finished 7-3 and is the No. 3 seed from Region 6, Class AA. Chattooga is 8-2 and the No. 2 seed from Region 7.
B.E.S.T. Academy senior Katerian “Fatty” Legrone signed his National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Nebraska, during a ceremony at the school in Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA’s new three-day early signing period.
(Click here to view the video.)
Five Atlanta Public Schools (APS) student-athletes signed scholarship letters Wednesday, the first day of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) new early signing period.
In years past, the first day high school seniors could sign their National Letters of Intent for the school they chose was the first Wednesday in February. The rules were changed to open up a three-day window – Dec. 20 through Dec. 22 – for those students who have qualified academically and are certain about the school they plan to attend.
APS Director of Athletics Jasper Jewell said having five student-athletes sign scholarships to NCAA Division 1 schools speaks volumes about the quality of the football programs in the district.
“It says a lot about the term student-athlete,” in APS, Jewell said. “It means that they’ve done what they needed to do academically and athletically, to be able to have this opportunity. Secondly, it says a lot about our coaches and the brand that we are building. We’re getting the best of the best from around the country to come here and recruit our kids.”
Wednesday’s early signees were:
— Octavious Battle, Carver, University South Florida
— Nicario Harper, Carver, University of Southern Mississippi
— Katerian Legrone, B.E.S.T. Academy, University of Nebraska
— Quindarious Monday, Carver, Auburn University
— E.J. Thomas, Carver, Kansas State University
Many more APS student-athletes will sign their scholarship letters at the traditional National Signing Day, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.
“It’s a blessing within itself,” said Carver head coach and athletic director Darren Myles. “To have one kid sign during an early signing period is one thing, but to have four, and we’re talking about all Division 1 scholarships, in a so-called inner-city program means a lot to me personally, means a lot to the program and means a lot to the community.”
Carver, Mays Finish in the Top Five in the State
Further proof of the quality of APS football was evident when the final state rankings were released earlier this week. The district has two teams that finished in the top five in their respective Georgia High School Association (GHSA) classifications: Carver finished the season ranked No. 5 in Class AAAAA, while Mays finished ranked No. 5 in Class AAAAAA.
Class AAAAAA
1. Lee County
2. Coffee
3. Tucker
4. Glynn Academy
5. Mays
6. Northside-Warner Robins
7. Alpharetta
8. Harrison
9. Allatoona
10. Douglas County
Class AAAAA
1. Rome
2. Warner Robins
3. Buford
4. Stockbridge
5. Carver-Atlanta
6. Jones County
7. Starr’s Mill
8. Carrollton
9. Eagle’s Landing
10. Wayne County
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Kandice Mitchell, assistant athletic director for Atlanta Public Schools, was named to the board of directors of USA Football.
USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, announced today that Atlanta Public Schools Assistant Athletic Director Kandice Pritchett Mitchell, a member of the gold medal-winning 2017 U.S. Women’s National Football Team, has joined its board of directors. Mitchell was named to the board by a vote of U.S. Women’s National Team alumni and formally appointed to it during a USA Football board meeting on December 4.
The USA Football Board of Directors is comprised of leaders in education, medicine, sports administration and coaching and includes former U.S. National Team athletes. Board members help USA Football establish important standards for the betterment of the sport and those who play it on high school, youth and other amateur levels.
Mitchell currently serves as the assistant director of athletics for Atlanta Public Schools. Prior to playing for the U.S. Women’s National Team that won gold at the 2017 Women’s World Championship in Vancouver, British Columbia, she studied at the University of Texas and competed as a Lady Longhorn on the school’s National Championship-winning women’s track and field team. Mitchell completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Georgia State University.
“The leadership and insight of our board inspires our office to establish significant football firsts, benefitting athletes of all ages across tackle, flag and touch,” USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck said. “We are pleased to have Kandice strengthen our board through her knowledge, experience and expertise.”
Mitchell is a longtime educator and coach in Atlanta-area high schools and middle schools. In her current role with Atlanta Public Schools, she facilitates the daily operations of football and 13 other sports district-wide (23 middle and high schools) and Region 6AA. Mitchell is one of only three women who serve on the board of governors for the Touchdown Club of Atlanta and the National Football Foundation. Mitchell replaces fellow U.S. Women’s National Team alumna Molly Goodwin on USA Football’s board of directors.
“This is an exciting opportunity for me to advance the world’s greatest team sport, which inspires so many life-enriching experiences,” Mitchell said. “Football has been a saving grace for me and so many others who play and coach this game. I look forward to working with a group of leaders who embody the spirit of this game and who embrace the global brotherhood and sisterhood that USA Football represents.”
USA Football educates more high school and youth coaches combined than any organization in the United States. As the only U.S. Olympic Committee member dedicated solely to football, the organization designs and delivers premier educational, developmental and competitive programs for coaches, athletes and administrators.
USA Football Board of Directors
| Gen. Raymond T. Odierno (RET), Chairman
Bobby E. Abrams Jr., Montgomery (Ala.) Jefferson Davis High School Dawn Aponte, National Football League Todd Berry, American Football Coaches Association Matt Birk, American Youth Football Tom Cove, Sports & Fitness Industry Association Woodie Dixon, Pac-12 Conference Bob Gardner, National Federation of State H.S Assns. Brad Garrett, Oregon School Activities Association Roger Goodell*, National Football League |
Cody Hawkins, U.S. Men’s National Team (2011)
Leroy Hollins II, Louisiana Youth Football
Oliver Luck, NCAA
Mark Meana, Fairfax County (Va.) Youth Football League
Mark Murphy, Green Bay Packers
Elizabeth Okey, U.S. Women’s National Team (2013)
Kandice Pritchett Mitchell, U.S. Women’s National Team (2017)
Brad Smithey, U.S. Men’s National Team (2015)
Michael Strickland, Atlantic Coast Conference
*Ex officio member
Carver senior Quindarious Monday, joined by (l-r) his parents, Felton Monday and Tamika Hale, his principal, Yusef Muhammad, and his coach, Darren Myles, received his honorary game jersey for the Under Armour High School All-American Game, presented by American Family Insurance.
Carver High School senior Quindarious Monday fulfilled one of his dreams on Thursday, when he officially became an all-American football player.
In front of a jam-packed auditorium filled with his senior classmates, football teammates and family members, Quindarious received his replica game jersey for the Under Armour High School All-American Game, presented by American Family Insurance.
Quindarious is one of just 12 student athletes from the state of Georgia selected to participate in the annual event, which is touted as one of the most prominent national high school all-star games in the country. The game is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2018, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, and will be televised by ESPN.
Quindarious was selected as Carver’s team captain this season, and has helped lead Carver to a 3-1 record. He received more than 30 scholarship offers before committing to Auburn University in July.
Watch a video chronicling Quindarious’ accomplishment.
NOTE: You can help Quindarious and Carver win a social media contest being sponsored by the Under Armour High School All-American Game, presented by American Family Insurance. Go to Instagram and “like” Quindarious’ “Dream Photo”. The school of the Under Armour High School All-America Game participant whose photo receives the most “likes” will be honored for its outstanding school spirit, and will be featured during the broadcast of the game and on the social media pages of American Family Insurance.
The Atlanta Falcons took care of business on the field Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers. Tuesday morning they showed how much they care about the community, as several players – including quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Devonta Freeman – visited three Atlanta Public Schools as part of the team’s Hometown Huddle program.
At Humphries Elementary School, Freeman, running back Tevin Coleman, safety Ricardo Allen, receiver Taylor Gabriel and long snapper Josh Harris surprised several teachers with gift bags, to show their appreciation for the important role educators play in society.
“What they do is so important, and sometimes teachers get overlooked,” Freeman said. “We just want to show them that we appreciate them and what they do means so much.”
The faces of the teachers at Humphries, and their students, lit up as the Falcon players – fresh off of a decisive 34-23 win over Green Bay – paid them a surprise visit.
“All of them were shocked,” said Humphries Principal Melanie Mitchell. “And it came at a good time. We have PTA [meeting] tonight, so it will be a very long day for our teachers. This was a nice surprise. [The players] brought a lot of spirit to our building.”
The same buzz was felt at Toomer Elementary School and at Tuskegee Airmen Global Academy, where two more groups of Falcons – including Ryan, receiver Julio Jones, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, safety Keanu Neal, linebacker Deion Jones, defensive tackle Dontari Poe, cornerback Desmond Trufant, receiver Nick Williams, cornerback C.J. Goodwin and general manager Rich McKay – put students to the test by running them through various agility drills. At both schools students spent 60 minutes running, jumping, throwing footballs, and playing other indoor games with the players as part of “Play 60,” a National Football League program aimed at encouraging kids to be active for 60 minutes a day to reverse childhood obesity.
“This program is designed to show students that it’s fun to play football and fun to be active,” said Chris Millman, director of community relations for the Atlanta Falcons. “It also allows us to make a real difference in Atlanta and the state of Georgia.”
The Mays Raiders (0-1) are this week’s No. 1 team in the Atlanta Public Schools Football Power Poll. They host Peachtree Ridge of Gwinnett County, Friday night at Lakewood Stadium.
Even though Mays lost its opener, the Raiders still hold a lot of respect in the eyes of Atlanta Public Schools coaches.
The Raiders came in at No. 1 in the inaugural APS Football Power Poll, voted on by the district’s 11 football coaches. Each week, the coaches will rank every football-playing school in APS – except their own team – one through 10. A point system (10 points for a first place vote, nine for second, eight for third and so on) determines the ranking of the teams on the poll.
Here’s a look at the entire poll:
- Mays (0-1)
- Carver (2-0)
- B.E.S.T. Academy (1-1)
- Maynard Jackson (1-0)
- Douglass (0-1)
- North Atlanta (1-0)
- Grady (0-2)
- Washington (1-0)
- South Atlanta (0-2)
- KIPP Atlanta Collegiate (0-1)
- Therrell (0-2)
And here’s a rundown of this weekend’s schedule:
South Atlanta at Douglass
(5:30 p.m. at Grady Stadium)
Maynard Jackson at East Coweta (Coweta County)
(7:30 p.m. at Garland Shoemake Memorial Stadium in Sharpsburg)
KIPP Atlanta Collegiate vs. North Atlanta
(8 p.m. at Grady Stadium)
B.E.S.T. Academy vs. Lovett (Atlanta – Private)
(5:30 p.m. at Lakewood Stadium)
Washington at Mary Persons (Monroe County)
(7:30 p.m. at Dan Pitts Stadium at Mitchell Field in Forsyth)
Mays vs. Peachtree Ridge (Gwinnett County)
(8 p.m. at Lakewood Stadium)
Carver at Alexander (Douglas County)
(7:30 p.m. at Cougar Stadium in Douglasville)
Therrell at Salem (Rockdale County)
(7:30 p.m. at Evans-Reid Stadium in Conyers)
Carver senior receiver/defensive back Quindarious Monday has been selected to play in the Under Armour High School All-America Football Game in January. Last weekend he helped Carver defeat Tri-Cities 34-6.
It has been 10 seasons since Carver won a region championship. That drought may end this year.
The Panthers improved to 2-0 last weekend with a 34-6 trouncing of Tri-Cities (Fulton County), at Lakewood Stadium. In two games this season, Carver has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 84-24. Several players had outstanding games against Tri-Cities:
- Senior Quindarious Monday had 74 yards receiving and scored two touchdowns. Last week, Carver and Quindarious received the official word that he has been selected to participate in the Under Armour High School All-America Football Game. Held Jan. 4, 2018 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, the game is one of the most popular national high school all-star games in America. It will be televised on ESPN.
- Senior quarterback Octavious Battle completed 12-of-17 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 53 yards.
- Sophomore running back Jo’quavious Marks had 128 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns, while junior running back Tony Jones ran for 96 yards and a touchdown.
- On defense seniors Jatavius Ponder and Solomon Mosley were dominant. Jatavius had eight tackles and four sacks, while Solomon had seven tackles and five sacks.
The Panthers will face a very tough opponent on Friday when travel to Douglasville to take on Alexander.
Here are the other results for APS schools last weekend:
Maynard Jackson 33, Therrell 6
Washington 8, North Clayton 6
Wesleyan 43, B.E.S.T. Academy 22
Woodward Academy 31, Grady 0
North Springs 33, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate 18
Stockbridge 9, Mays 0
Northwest Whitfield 44, South Atlanta 21
Also over the weekend:
The Atlanta Knights, the district’s club water polo team, placed fifth out of 16 teams in the 2017 Powerbar Cup Tournament, held Friday and Saturday at Dynamo Swim Center in Chamblee. The regional tournament featured teams from Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and Missouri.
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