Dewar and VMS earn Military Flagship Awards
Published 4:41 pm Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Valdosta High School’s color guard presents the colors during the Military Flagship Award ceremony held at Valdosta Middle School.
Rachale LaVoie, Military Student & Family Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education, presents the Military Flagship Award to Dewar Elementary School, joined by Lowndes County Board of Education members, staff, and military families.
Melanie Johnson, principal of Dewar Elementary School, speaks on the importance of supporting military families during the Military Flagship Award ceremony.
Andy Gibbs, chairman of the Flagship Committee, welcomes guests and explains how Valdosta Middle earned the Military Flagship Award through dedicated support of military-connected students.
Rachale LaVoie, Military Student & Family Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education, presents the Military Flagship Award to Valdosta Middle School during Wednesday morning’s ceremony.
VALDOSTA— Two local schools were recognized Wednesday morning for their work in supporting military-connected students and families.
Dewar Elementary School and Valdosta Middle School (VMS) were named among the Georgia Department of Education’s (GaDOE) 25 winners of the 2024-2025 Military Flagship School Award, announced by State School Superintendent Richard Woods.
The Military Flagship School Award celebrates Georgia K-12 public schools that go above and beyond to create a supportive environment for students from military families. A panel of judges with experience working with military-connected youth reviewed each school’s application, evaluating programs, outreach efforts, and services tailored specifically for military families.
Valdosta Middle School Ceremony
Valdosta Middle School hosted a powerful dedication ceremony in celebration of their selection. The event opened with music by the VMS Band, followed by a presentation of colors by the Valdosta High School ROTC and the national anthem performed by the VMS Chorus.
During the ceremony, Andy Gibbs, chairman of the Flagship Committee, welcomed attendees and described how the schools received the award. Rachale LaVoie, the Military Student & Family Specialist for the GaDOE, presented the Military Flagship Award.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Tret Witherspoon emphasized the importance of creating inclusive and resilient school communities for students whose families serve in the armed forces. He acknowledged the challenges military children face and praised the educators, administrators, and community partners who work to ease those transitions.
“Our recognition affirms that Valdosta City Schools has gone above and beyond to address these challenges and create an environment where military children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally,” stated Dr. Witherspoon.
Among the audience were key figures who spoke on the honor, such as Dr. Lucy Greene, who co-founded the Moody support committee. City and County officials joined the celebration with Mayor Scott James Matheson and Lowndes County Commissioner Scottie Orienstein, who said a few words.
VMS was selected for the award for its support systems for military students, including a Breakfast Buddies Program, personalized enrollment assistance, and community-building events such as Military Appreciation Night at football games and a 9/11 remembrance ceremony.
Dewar Elementary School Celebration
Earlier that morning, Dewar Elementary welcomed guests with heartfelt speeches and student tributes. Melanie Johnson, principal of Dewar Elementary School, highlighted their communication with Moody Air Force Base and their array of student support programs, like the Deployment Breakfast Club and Military Student Support Club.
“Here at Dewar Elementary, we have always believed that supporting our military families is not just a program—it’s a promise,” stated Johnson. “A promise to be there through the highs and lows, to build a sense of belonging.”
At the center of the tables during the event were dandelions, the symbolic flower for children in military families due to how they grow wherever they land. A few students shared personal reflections about the challenges and pride of growing up in military families.
