Holcomb Bridge Named 2010 Georgia School of Excellence

Holcomb Bridge Middle School received an award as a 2010 “Georgia School of Excellence” for the greatest gains category in the entire 6th Congressional District during a ceremony on Friday.

"You don't become a school of excellence by pulling a name out of a hat," Principal Joy Schroerlucke told students during the assembly.

She was quick not to claim the credit by praising students and teachers for their hard work.

According to the Fulton County School System, the Georgia Schools of Excellence Program honors a school for their academic superiority or dramatic gains from each of the state’s 13 congressional districts.

State Superintendent John Barge urged students to continue their pursuit of academic excellence and insisted education was the "great equalizer." In his praise of the school, he shared his own difficult childhood with students and encouraged them to make good decisions for their life by pursuing education.

The decisions you make right now "will affect you for many, many years to come," he said.

Congressman Tom Price sent his congratulations to the school through a representative and State Senator John Albers told students he believed they were "going to be somebody" and leave their marks as "great Georgians."

To honor Holcomb Bridge's faculty and staff, United Healthcare was on hand to present them with a promise of a "Stress Free Day," during which massage therapists will come to the school. And the Georgia Natural Gas Company gave the school a $1,000 check.