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Community Corner

Whiz Kid: Mollie Sherman

An enthusiastic runner, this CCHS Senior loves to write!

Each week, Athens Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments.

Name: Mollie Sherman

Age: 17

Grade: 12th

School: Clarke Central High School

Accomplishments: Mollie Sherman has always been active but it wasn’t until the tenth grade that she found her sport. On a recent morning at , Mollie told me that running cross country has turned into something that has changed her life. A senior at , Mollie will actively seek out an organized running group when she goes to college next year.

Cross country competition takes place on trails, but the CCHS team practices on the streets of Athens. You’ve likely seen them running in the neighborhoods adjacent to the high school. The cross country coaching team plays an integral role in the cross country team member's lives. According to Mollie, Coach Dale Autrey is a CCHS cross country fixture.  

Emily Dowd is not only a CCHS French teacher and swim coach, but also the head coach of the girls cross country team. Drew Haro is the third member of the coaching team and a lay coach. While he doesn’t teach at CCHS anymore, he provides invaluable experience drawn from his time running for LSU.

Academically, Mollie’s focus is on something she loves – writing. Deeply involved in the journalism program at CCHS, she has found a creative outlet through the written word. Mollie has tried her hand at many roles in journalism at CCHS including sports writing and photography. Her last year in high school will be spent as the Senior Copy Editor for The Odyssey.

This is more than a class for Mollie, and teacher David Ragsdale has helped her grow as a writer. Mollie has enjoyed the opportunity to lead the younger journalism students along with the managing editor and manager in chief. Because of her work with The Odyssey, Mollie knows what she can do in a classroom and where her writing strengths are. She’s also learned how to be a skillful communicator. Mollie knows the value of clear communication and was articlate beyond her years during our early morning interview.

Mollie is the daughter of Sherrie Gibney-Sherman and Ken Sherman. Mollie’s half-sister, Alexandra, is nine years older and attends law school in Oregon. The college application process has begun for Mollie. While she knows the University of Georgia is a great school, she feels as though she has gotten her whole education on Baxter Street. Having a sister in school out west means that Mollie is applying to schools all over the country as well as to UGA.

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Friday nights and Saturdays during football season are some of Mollie’s favorite days of the year. Athletics are a big part of Clarke Central High School and Mollie loves that everybody comes out to support the Gladiators on Friday nights. The collective spirit of Athens pulling for the Bulldogs on Saturdays means a lot to Mollie and she thrives on this feeling of community.

Smoothies and tostones at are favorites of Mollie's and ’s is one of her top spots downtown. is an annual events that Mollie always looks forward to and attends. Mollie knows that there are perks from living in a vibrant music town and going to hear the Modern Skirts with her friends is one of them.

Key to Awesomeness: Mollie Sherman doesn’t have clear plans for her future career but knows she will definitely continue to be a runner and a writer. With a solid foundation that has been built by the Athens community, family, and friends, Mollie is going to be a success no matter where she uses her talents.

We want to hear about amazing youth in Athens and select one each week as the Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to rebecca.mccarthy@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

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  • Nominator's Name
  • Nominator's E-Mail
  • Whiz Kid's Name
  • Whiz Kid's Age
  • Whiz Kid's School
  • Whiz Kid's Accomplishment
  • Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (What makes him/her successful? Please include a 150-word description)
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