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Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast

Central Gwinnett High teacher earns national award

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GDP Script/ Top Stories for October 4th 

Publish Date: October 4th 

 

PRE-ROLL:  

From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. 

Today is Saturday, October 4th and Happy Birthday to Jon Secada 

 

I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia. 

  1. Central Gwinnett High teacher earns national award
  2. Gwinnett tops national mean score on SAT, but trails most metro neighbors
  3. Housing Matters: Rainbow Village breaks ground on expansion

All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! 

Break 1: 07.14.22 KIA MOG 

 

STORY 1: Central Gwinnett High teacher earns national award 

 The Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) just gave Amanda Baker, a health science teacher at Central Gwinnett High, the Goodheart-Wilcox Outstanding Service Award—and honestly, it’s no surprise. 

For 11 years, Baker’s been the heart and soul of her HOSA chapter.  

Her chapter’s done it all—blood drives, parade floats, Stop the Bleed certifications, and sending students to Internationals in events like Biomedical Debate.  

 

STORY 2: Gwinnett tops national mean score on SAT, but trails most metro neighbors 

  Gwinnett County Public Schools is celebrating its Class of 2025 SAT scores for beating the national average—1003 compared to 996—but the story’s a bit more complicated. While the district outpaced the nation, it fell short of Georgia’s state average (1029) and ranked seventh among 12 Metro RESA districts. Schools like Decatur City (1181) and Forsyth County (1178) left Gwinnett in the dust. 

Interim Superintendent Dr. Al Taylor remains optimistic.  

Bright spots? GSMST (1360) and North Gwinnett (1165). But some schools, like Meadowcreek (836), are struggling. 

 

STORY 3: Housing Matters: Rainbow Village breaks ground on expansion 

 Big things are happening at Rainbow Village. On Sept. 29, they broke ground on a major campus expansion that’ll more than double their capacity to help homeless families—going from 30 transitional apartments to 66. 

Families who live there get more than just a roof over their heads. They learn how to budget, tackle debt, and save for the future. Utilities and internet? Covered.  

The $15 million project is 73% funded, but there’s still work to do.  

 

We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. 

We’ll be right back 

 

Break 2: CITY OF SUGAR HILL 

 

STORY 4: Brian Snitker out as Braves' manager, will transition into advisory role 

After months of speculation, Brian Snitker finally made it official: he’s stepping down as Braves manager after the 2025 season. But don’t worry—he’s not going far. Starting in 2026, he’ll take on an advisory role, marking his 50th year with the organization. 

 

At 70, Snitker’s ready for a slower pace—more time with family, fewer road trips.  

 

His journey with the Braves started in 1977, thanks to Hank Aaron, who gave him his first coaching job.  

 

As the Braves prepare to find their next manager, Snitker’s legacy looms large. From consignment-store bunk beds in the minors to hoisting a championship trophy, he’s seen it all.  

 

 

STORY 5: Buford City Schools names District Teacher of the Year 

Emily Stewart, Buford Senior Academy’s media specialist, was named the 2025 District Teacher of the Year for Buford City Schools—and honestly, it’s no surprise to anyone who knows her.   

 

Stewart, who works with third through fifth graders, has turned the Media Center into something magical. It’s not just a library anymore—it’s a place where kids discover new worlds, take risks as readers, and actually *want* to read. Her Reading Challenge program? A hit. The Genre Café? Genius. Kids sampling books like they’re at a coffee shop? Who wouldn’t love that?   

 

But she doesn’t stop there. Stewart organizes school communications, helps teachers with tech, and even runs district-wide events like Books on the Bus, giving free books to families.   

 

We’ll be right back.  

 

Break 3: LILBURN DAZE 

 

STORY 6: Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful names 2025-26 Green Youth Advisory Council class 

  

Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful is kicking off another year of shaping young leaders with its Green Youth Advisory Council (GYAC) for 2025-2026. This year’s group? Twenty passionate high schoolers from 12 schools across Gwinnett County, ready to make a difference.   

 

New faces include Amari Wilson (South Gwinnett), Maansi Singh (GSMST), and Holly Spake (Brookwood), while returning members like Ananya Desai (Peachtree Ridge) and Brian Le (Brookwood) are back for more.   

 

From tackling litter to launching school programs, they’ll serve as advocates, volunteers, and innovators.   

 

Oh, and seniors? They’re eligible for a $1,000 scholarship. 

 

STORY 7: New store open at Mall of Georgia 

Johnston & Murphy, the classic American brand that’s been around since, well, 1850, is now open at the Mall of Georgia. You’ll find it upstairs, right across from JCPenney.   

 

Known for everything from handcrafted dress shoes to casual sneakers, polished jackets to everyday staples, Johnston & Murphy has this knack for blending timeless style with modern vibes. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a statement shoe *and* a go-to sweater in one trip.   

 

 

The boutique? Sleek, modern, and totally worth a visit. 

 

 

We’ll have closing comments after this  

 

Break 4: Ingles Markets 8 

Signoff –  

Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com 

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