Our very own Bill Sampson has been named as a Hidden Hero by GLISI (Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement)! He found out through an email, but in true Mr. Sampson fashion, he was humble about this recognition; he didn’t share this exciting news, and we didn’t find out until we read it in The Echo this past week. The description of Mr. Sampson below describes his incredible work as the principal of the high school!
From those nominated, they select the top 3 based on votes. You can vote every day; however, we are behind as this information has been out for a week. So please share and ask your friends and family to vote for our incredible high school principal!
You can vote once per day through November 21.
https://hiddenheroes.glisi.org/2025/gallery (search for Bill Sampson)
Reason for Nomination: In a time when school leadership demands both courage and compassion, Mr. Bill Sampson stands as a quiet force of transformation in rural Georgia. For the past three years as principal, he has led with a clear vision, to ensure every student graduates prepared for college, career, and life. His leadership isn’t about comfort but about conviction and intentionality. He has made bold, sometimes uncomfortable changes that are reshaping systems, strengthening instruction, and reigniting hope across our school community.
What makes Mr. Sampson a Hidden Hero is the way he leads from both the sidelines and the center. He’s the first face at Friday night football games, the loudest cheer at basketball and volleyball, and the steady presence in the stands during baseball, softball, wrestling, cross country, and track. Known affectionately as a “gym rat principal,” he doesn’t just attend he invests. His constant support reflects his belief that every student deserves to be seen, valued, and celebrated in their own lane of excellence.
Behind the scenes, his leadership has shifted our school culture toward academic growth, collaboration, and high expectations. He empowers teachers to innovate, guiding us to rethink what’s possible through cross-curricular projects, college readiness initiatives, and data-informed support. Under his guidance, community partnerships have strengthened, student engagement has increased, and new pathways to success have opened for learners once overlooked.
During a school improvement meeting, when faced with tough data, he said simply: “If we’re serious about success for all, we have to do what’s hard and do it together.” That moment captured his ethos: lead with integrity, act with courage, and always center students.
Mr. Sampson doesn’t seek the spotlight, he creates it for others. His leadership transforms lives, making him the very definition of a Hidden Hero.
From those nominated, they select the top 3 based on votes. You can vote every day; however, we are behind as this information has been out for a week. So please share and ask your friends and family to vote for our incredible high school principal!
You can vote once per day through November 21.
https://hiddenheroes.glisi.org/2025/gallery (search for Bill Sampson)
Reason for Nomination: In a time when school leadership demands both courage and compassion, Mr. Bill Sampson stands as a quiet force of transformation in rural Georgia. For the past three years as principal, he has led with a clear vision, to ensure every student graduates prepared for college, career, and life. His leadership isn’t about comfort but about conviction and intentionality. He has made bold, sometimes uncomfortable changes that are reshaping systems, strengthening instruction, and reigniting hope across our school community.
What makes Mr. Sampson a Hidden Hero is the way he leads from both the sidelines and the center. He’s the first face at Friday night football games, the loudest cheer at basketball and volleyball, and the steady presence in the stands during baseball, softball, wrestling, cross country, and track. Known affectionately as a “gym rat principal,” he doesn’t just attend he invests. His constant support reflects his belief that every student deserves to be seen, valued, and celebrated in their own lane of excellence.
Behind the scenes, his leadership has shifted our school culture toward academic growth, collaboration, and high expectations. He empowers teachers to innovate, guiding us to rethink what’s possible through cross-curricular projects, college readiness initiatives, and data-informed support. Under his guidance, community partnerships have strengthened, student engagement has increased, and new pathways to success have opened for learners once overlooked.
During a school improvement meeting, when faced with tough data, he said simply: “If we’re serious about success for all, we have to do what’s hard and do it together.” That moment captured his ethos: lead with integrity, act with courage, and always center students.
Mr. Sampson doesn’t seek the spotlight, he creates it for others. His leadership transforms lives, making him the very definition of a Hidden Hero.
Congratulations to our Rotary Students of the Month!
🌟 OCES Student of the Month: Lux Kuewa Mokiao
🌟 OCMS Student of the Month: Jackson Cotton
🌟 OCHS Student of the Month: Isaiah Ross
We are so proud of these outstanding students and their commitment to excellence!
📣 Calling All Local Businesses!
We’re putting together our Annual Year in Review, celebrating the incredible achievements, partnerships, and moments that made this past year special for Oglethorpe County Schools.
This publication reaches families, staff, and community members across the county — and it’s a great opportunity for your business to show its support for public education while gaining local visibility.
📰 Advertise your business and be part of something that truly makes a difference!
All the details can be found on the flyer below.
Thank you for continuing to support our students, staff, and schools! ❤️💙
We’re putting together our Annual Year in Review, celebrating the incredible achievements, partnerships, and moments that made this past year special for Oglethorpe County Schools.
This publication reaches families, staff, and community members across the county — and it’s a great opportunity for your business to show its support for public education while gaining local visibility.
📰 Advertise your business and be part of something that truly makes a difference!
All the details can be found on the flyer below.
Thank you for continuing to support our students, staff, and schools! ❤️💙
Good luck to our cross-country team as they compete in the state championship in Carrollton today!
Update: A big thank you to the students who volunteered their time to help pack food bags for today's food pantry!
Just a reminder - entry to the high school begins at 3:30.
Thanks to the generosity of donors we will be hosting a food pantry for families of OC students on Thursday, Nov. 6th. Please read the flyer for directions for this pop-up pantry! To make a donation click the link: https://tinyurl.com/3jjhrjze
Thank you OC voters for passing the E-SPLOST for the school system and for passing the senior exemption to give our senior citizens a tax break on their school taxes!
Thanks to the generosity of donors we will be hosting a food pantry for families of OC students on Thursday, Nov. 6th. Please read the flyer for directions for this pop-up pantry! To make a donation click the link: https://tinyurl.com/3jjhrjze
Congratulations to our players, coaches, and the best fans!
OC VOLLEYBALL STATE CHAMPIONS! 💙❤️
Let's go Patriots! 💙❤️
Let's go Patriots! 💙❤️
Congratulations to the OCHS cheer team on their 2nd place finish at the Fear to Cheer Game Day Cheer Competition!
Looking forward to having a big crowd watch our volleyball team in the final four of the state championship!
National School Bus Safety Week!
Please take the time to show your appreciation for our amazing bus drivers and transportation department! Thank you to our incredible team of bus drivers for keeping Oglethorpe County students rolling safely day after day!
Student Spotlight! Madelyn Flores - OCHS Student! Congratulations Madelyn on this huge achievement!
If you know a student or staff member you believe deserves to be in the “spotlight”, please send us a brief email with the information. These can be sent to blevine@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us and rames@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us.
Thank you OCHS Journalism Yearbook Class, under the direction of Mr. Maurice Freeman, who assisted in interviewing and collecting information on the candidates to create this post along with creating a banner for the website!
If you know a student or staff member you believe deserves to be in the “spotlight”, please send us a brief email with the information. These can be sent to blevine@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us and rames@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us.
Thank you OCHS Journalism Yearbook Class, under the direction of Mr. Maurice Freeman, who assisted in interviewing and collecting information on the candidates to create this post along with creating a banner for the website!
Come Cheer the Varsity Volleyball Team in the Elite 8 Matchup Tonight! Wear Red!❤️🎉
Staff Spotlight! Jessica Ward - OCHS Teacher!
If you know a student or staff member you believe deserves to be in the “spotlight”, please send us a brief email with the information. These can be sent to blevine@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us and rames@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us.
Thank you OCHS Journalism Yearbook Class, under the direction of Mr. Maurice Freeman, who assisted in interviewing candidates to create this post along with creating a banner for the website!
If you know a student or staff member you believe deserves to be in the “spotlight”, please send us a brief email with the information. These can be sent to blevine@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us and rames@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us.
Thank you OCHS Journalism Yearbook Class, under the direction of Mr. Maurice Freeman, who assisted in interviewing candidates to create this post along with creating a banner for the website!
Community Christmas interviews begin this week.
We are proud to congratulate JENNIFER YAUCK on being named the Oglethorpe County School System Teacher of the Year!
Jennifer Yauck graduated from Oglethorpe County High School, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, and a Masters in Science Education from the University of Georgia. Yauck began her teaching career in environmental education at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center, and this year, she has completed 22 years in public education. She taught at Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School, Oconee County High School, and has served as the director of 6-12 Science at Northeast Georgia Regional Education Service Agency (RESA).
Currently, she is a science instructional coach and science teacher at Oglethorpe County High School in Lexington, Georgia. She teaches Honors Biology and Advanced Placement (AP) Biology to students in grades 9-12. During my teaching career, Yauck has worked to develop more effective methods for reaching rural students, lower socioeconomic students, and English language learners in science.
Yauck believes that community involvement is one of the most important aspects of being a teacher and a citizen. Currently, she advises the National Honor Society at Oglethorpe County High School and the Science Olympiad team. She is a member of the Oglethorpe County Friends of the Library, Oglethorpe County Rotary Club, and the Gamma Tau chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. As a member of Gamma Tau, she has helped to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to children in Oglethorpe County since 2022.
Jennifer Yauck graduated from Oglethorpe County High School, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, and a Masters in Science Education from the University of Georgia. Yauck began her teaching career in environmental education at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center, and this year, she has completed 22 years in public education. She taught at Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School, Oconee County High School, and has served as the director of 6-12 Science at Northeast Georgia Regional Education Service Agency (RESA).
Currently, she is a science instructional coach and science teacher at Oglethorpe County High School in Lexington, Georgia. She teaches Honors Biology and Advanced Placement (AP) Biology to students in grades 9-12. During my teaching career, Yauck has worked to develop more effective methods for reaching rural students, lower socioeconomic students, and English language learners in science.
Yauck believes that community involvement is one of the most important aspects of being a teacher and a citizen. Currently, she advises the National Honor Society at Oglethorpe County High School and the Science Olympiad team. She is a member of the Oglethorpe County Friends of the Library, Oglethorpe County Rotary Club, and the Gamma Tau chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. As a member of Gamma Tau, she has helped to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to children in Oglethorpe County since 2022.
PATRIOTS VOLLEYBALL WIN in a nail biting 5th set! Congrats to the players and coaches! Thanks la to the fans for your AMAZING SUPPORT!
💙❤️
