Dalton Public Schools -

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our recent graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton High School graduate Olivia Bowen!

During her time at Dalton High School, Olivia Bowen not only pursued her own growth with determination but also encouraged growth in others through her passion for service and the arts. By dedicating herself to the things she loves, Olivia has shown her strength not only as a leader but also as a catalyst for positive change within her community. Olivia participated in several extracurricular activities throughout high school, including Beta Club, the National Honor Society, and volunteering with the Murray-Whitfield Historical Society. She also had the honor of serving in multiple leadership roles, including Drama Club and Troupe 1702 President, Color Guard Captain and Soloist, Catamount Singers Student Director, and Alto Section Leader. Some of Olivia’s greatest achievements include earning first place at the 2024 SAPA Winterguard Championships, receiving a nomination for Best Choreography at the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards, being selected as an All-Star Cast member for the 2025 Region One Act Competition, and winning a region title and placing third in the state for her Duo Acting Interpretation piece during her senior year. In the fall, Olivia will attend the University of Georgia, where she plans to major in Exercise Science with a minor in Theatre. In the future, she hopes to combine these two disciplines by becoming an occupational therapist who uses the nurturing nature of the arts to improve the lives of others. Reflecting on her time at Dalton High School above all, Olivia says that getting to watch others grow and discover themselves while serving in leadership roles has been one of her greatest blessings and is the reason she wants to continue helping others. She thanks those around her for allowing her to be part of their journeys toward becoming the best versions of themselves. We would like to thank Olivia for allowing Dalton Public Schools to be part of her inspiring journey. We are certain that she will continue inspiring positive change in others and making a meaningful difference in every community she becomes part of in the future.

Way to go!

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton Academy senior David Leon!

During his time at the Dalton Academy, David Leon played an important role in his school community by participating in various clubs and sports teams, while above all else valuing the opportunity to be part of something larger than himself. Through his involvement, David not only demonstrated his leadership abilities but also became a vital member of his school family. David participated in the Dalton Academy’s soccer, cross country, and track teams, along with multiple clubs and organizations, including DECA, the Buddy Program, the Translation Academy program, Walking Club, and Junior Civitan Club. In addition to these activities, David made a long-term commitment to the 3DE program at the Dalton Academy, participating in the program for all four years of high school. 3DE re-engineers high school education by allowing students to partner with local and national businesses to solve complex, corporate-based challenges. This opportunity is sponsored by Junior Achievement, and during his freshman year, David was inducted into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame, an honor dedicated to individuals in the North Georgia area who serve as outstanding citizens within their local communities. He considers this one of his greatest achievements, along with his effort to consistently maintain high grades. In the fall, David will attend North Georgia Technical College to pursue welding, a field he feels capable of mastering and becoming passionate about in the future. Ultimately, despite his unique accolades and active involvement, David is most grateful for the different parts of his school community he was able to experience and the family he built at the Academy. We are grateful for David and the positive impact he has made on our community, and we are excited to see the difference he will continue to make in his future endeavors.

Way to go!

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton High School senior Neha Shree!

During her time at Dalton High School, Neha Shree excelled in every aspect of her educational journey, from her classes and extracurricular activities, to the lifelong connections she formed with those around her. She not only succeeded in many different areas but did so while participating in a wide range of unique and challenging programs. Neha was involved in several extracurricular activities, including varsity lacrosse, cross country, and Mock Trial, a district extracurricular in which students act as attorneys and witnesses in a hypothetical criminal or civil case while learning about the legal system. In addition to these activities, Neha gave back to her community through several service-based organizations, including Interact Club, Key Club, Beta Club, and the National Honor Society. Among her many accomplishments, Neha is especially proud of remaining in the top ten of her class throughout all four years of high school, being recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction, becoming a Governor’s Honors Program finalist, and pursuing the IB Diploma. The IB Diploma is a rigorous, two-year academic curriculum designed to prepare students for university and global citizenship, and Neha is one of only eight Dalton High School students eligible to earn the full diploma. She also shares that some of her favorite memories came from this program and the close-knit IB group she became part of. In the fall, Neha will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she plans to major in Neuroscience. She hopes to contribute to this constantly growing field and play a role in its future development. Ultimately, Neha Shree has exemplified what it means to be an excellent student throughout her four years at Dalton High School. We are certain that she will continue to excel in any area she sets her mind to next.

Way to go!

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton Academy senior Guadalupe Mena!

During her time at the Dalton Academy, Guadalupe Mena took advantage of every opportunity in front of her, becoming an influential leader and an integral part of her community. Guadalupe participated in many aspects of her school community, including soccer, flag football, student council, and multiple service clubs. Throughout these varied activities, she consistently demonstrated strong leadership skills. Guadalupe served as both Vice President and President of the National Honor Society, as well as Publicist for Student Council. She was also captain of the soccer program throughout all four years of high school. While balancing these many responsibilities, Guadalupe continued to excel academically, remaining in the top ten of her class. Guadalupe Mena is an exemplary student who not only served her school community but also consistently pursued excellence in all she did. We are confident that, with her determination and leadership, she will continue to achieve many impressive accomplishments in the future.

Way to go!

Meet the DPS Cabinet ✨

Our cabinet members play an important role in supporting our schools and helping ensure students and staff have what they need to succeed.

Today, we’re highlighting Kendra Pannell, Executive Director of Communications.

We asked Ms. Pannell a few questions about her role, what she enjoys most about Dalton Public Schools, and a little about who she is outside of work. Here’s what she had to say 👇

"I serve Dalton Public Schools by leading a team responsible for strategic communications, public relations, and community engagement, ensuring our families, staff, and stakeholders stay informed and connected. Our work includes managing crisis and districtwide communications, as well as sharing the stories of our students and staff through our website and app, photography, videography, and graphic design, all while maintaining a strong and consistent brand. I also collaborate with school and district leaders to ensure messaging is clear, timely, and aligned with our mission and priorities."

"What I enjoy most about working in Dalton Public Schools is the opportunity to tell the stories of our students, staff, and community while capturing the magical moments that happen in and because of our schools each day. As a team, we take pride in streamlining communication processes and coordinating events so our schools can focus on what matters most—teaching and learning. We also value the strong relationships across our schools and departments—it’s truly a team effort, with a shared commitment to doing what’s best for our students."

"Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my kiddos—Charleigh, Keaton, and Ben. We spend a lot of our time outdoors fishing, hunting, and just being together, and those are some of my favorite moments. I love watching them grow and stay involved in their activities, and you can often find me in the backyard with my bow when I have a little downtime. I also really value spending time with the people I care about most—whether that’s family or close friends—and try to be intentional about making time for them."

Ms. Pannell has served in education for 8 years.

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton High School senior Shanya Washington!

During her time at Dalton High School, Shanya excelled in every area she committed to and brightened every room she entered, no matter the responsibility in front of her. Shanya is a high-achieving athlete who participated in competition and football sideline varsity cheerleading, as well as varsity track and field. She states that one of her greatest achievements was balancing school, work, and athletics while earning recognition for her leadership and communication skills. These experiences helped her develop strong time management, responsibility, and teamwork skills. In 2023, Shanya was also selected as a GHSA Inspiration Award winner, an honor that highlights her ability to consistently exceed expectations and positively impact her community. In the fall, Shanya will continue her education at Savannah State University, where she plans to major in Early Childhood Education and has already secured a spot on the university’s cheerleading team. We are immensely proud of Shanya and everything she has accomplished, and we cannot wait to see where she chooses to excel next.

Way to go!

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton Academy High School senior Fatima Pimentel!

During her time at the Dalton Academy, Fatima has become an integral part of the school community, taking part in numerous organizations and activities while excelling academically and remaining true to herself. Fatima is a member of the National Honor Society and HOSA, an organization for future health professionals. She also serves as Student Council President, a role she considers one of her greatest achievements. In addition to her leadership in school organizations, Fatima has been involved in several athletic programs, including flag football and volleyball, and serves as the social media manager for the boys soccer team. She has also contributed to her school community as the school photographer, capturing meaningful moments and helping tell the story of Dalton Academy. While balancing these many responsibilities, Fatima has continued to excel in the classroom, consistently maintaining A’s in her courses. However, beyond her accomplishments and involvement, Fatima is most proud of her ability to keep pushing herself through every obstacle while staying true to who she is. In the fall, Fatima will continue her education at Dalton State College as she works toward becoming a radiologic technician. Fatima has poured her energy into every aspect of her school community and has worked to be a positive influence in each area she takes part in. We are confident that her perseverance, dedication, and commitment to success will continue to take her far.

Way to go!

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton Academy senior Miguel Angel Huerta!

During his time at the Dalton Academy, Miguel Angel Huerta enthusiastically participated in multiple school activities while centering his journey on self-improvement. In addition to playing soccer, he was a member of DECA, a global student organization that prepares high school students for careers in high-demand fields by transforming classroom learning into real-world business skills. Despite his involvement in key aspects of the Dalton Academy community, Miguel shares that his greatest achievement has been making his parents proud and overcoming past challenges to become a better person. He is currently undecided on which college he will attend in the fall but plans to major in welding and automotive mechanics. Ultimately, we are excited to see where Miguel’s journey takes him and are confident that he will make a positive impact wherever he goes.

Way to go!