Habersham BOE honors educators, sheriff and student leader

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Habersham County Schools recognized several members of the school system and community Monday, honoring a Wilbanks Middle School educator and custodian, recognizing Sheriff Robin Krockum for his partnership in school safety and celebrating a Habersham Central High School junior selected to serve on the state superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.

The recognitions came during the Habersham County Board of Education’s Oct. 5 regular meeting, where board members and school leaders highlighted the contributions of people working to support students both inside and outside the classroom.

Clem honored for going the extra mile

Board member Doug Westmoreland presented the Peach State Federal Credit Union Extra Mile Award to Katie Clem, athletic director and physical education teacher at Wilbanks Middle School.

Clem was nominated by Wilbanks Principal Chris Chitwood and school staff, who praised her for the breadth of responsibilities she takes on and her impact on the school’s culture. In addition to serving as athletic director and physical education teacher, Clem is the school’s connections team leader, softball coach and a driving force behind student activities.

Her responsibilities include coordinating after-school transportation for athletics and the Boys & Girls Club, with Wilbanks serving as a hub for all three middle schools. She also coordinates sporting events involving volleyball, cross country, flag football, basketball, soccer, track, baseball and softball, as well as other student activities.

The nomination also highlighted Clem’s work organizing Wilbanks’ Battle of the Houses, a large-scale student event designed to encourage participation and school spirit. This year’s event marked the third year she has organized it.

Chitwood and the Wilbanks staff described Clem as someone who consistently brings energy and organization to her work while finding creative ways to respond to what students need. The nomination said her work helps strengthen connections among the school, athletics and community programs.

Ferguson recognized for service to students

Board member Dr. Darlene Hudson presented the Peach State Federal Credit Union Service Above Self Award to Tina Ferguson, a custodian at Wilbanks Middle School.

Ferguson was nominated by Chitwood and the Wilbanks staff, who said she goes beyond her custodial duties to help make the school a clean, safe, welcoming and positive environment for students and staff.

The nomination emphasized Ferguson’s kindness and willingness to help others, including leaving notes of encouragement and offering words of support to students and employees. Her impact, the nomination said, extends beyond maintaining the school building because she helps create an environment where people feel cared for.

The nomination included an example from a sixth-grade student who told school staff that Ferguson had given the student her own money after the student came up short while trying to buy a snack.
“That is Tina,” the nomination said, describing Ferguson as someone who serves without being asked, gives without expecting anything in return and cares deeply about students.

Sheriff recognized for school safety partnership

Superintendent Patrick Franklin also recognized Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum for his partnership with the school system in providing school resource officers.

Franklin said school safety is one of the district’s top priorities and cannot be accomplished by the school system alone. When Franklin and Krockum took their respective positions, the school district had six school resource officers, he said.

Franklin said the Board of Education and Krockum worked to secure funding and place officers throughout the district. For approximately the past year and a half, he said, the school system has had a resource officer assigned to every school.

Franklin thanked Krockum for his work and also recognized the broader partnership among the Sheriff’s Office, local police departments and Habersham County’s municipalities.

Krockum, a Habersham Central graduate and father of two daughters who attended the school, thanked Franklin, the school board and local law enforcement agencies for their commitment to student safety.

“We all have the same goal: our safety and children,” Krockum said.

Crane selected for state student advisory council

Habersham Central High School Principal Dr. Adam Bagwell recognized junior Carson Crane for being selected to serve on Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods’ Student Advisory Council for the 2026-27 school year.

Crane was selected from 1,427 applicants in grades 10-12 from across Georgia, with 82 students chosen for the council. He is one of four students selected from Pioneer RESA’s 23 high schools.

Bagwell described Crane as a positive and kind influence on his peers and highlighted his involvement in school activities. Crane is vice president of the Beta Club and a leader in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also participates in student council, academic bowl, STAR tutoring and mock trial and is a member of the golf team.

Bagwell also noted that Crane has maintained perfect attendance so far this semester while taking dual enrollment U.S. history, Pre-AP chemistry, AP Seminar and AP Precalculus.

As a member of the Student Advisory Council, Crane will meet with Woods to provide feedback on how state policies affect students and participate in service projects benefiting schools and communities.

Crane told the board he applied because his experiences in high school have shown him that schools are more than academic buildings and that student well-being should be a priority.

“Schools are so much more than just academic buildings,” Crane said. “They’re communities, and student well-being has to come first.”

Crane said his experiences with mental health convinced him that change is needed. Through the Student Advisory Council, he hopes to work with students from across Georgia to develop programs such as peer support and bring those ideas back to Habersham County to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.