In Touch Melanie Barnett F orehand received a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in Reading Education during the University of Georgia's 2009 Summer Semester Commencement Ceremony.

The commencement was held Saturday, August 1, in the Stegeman Coliseum in Athens. Melanie graduated with a 3.88 Grade Point Average.

She is a 2001 graduate of Washington Wilkes Comprehensive High School and a 2006 graduate of Augusta State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. While at Augusta State she was a member of Kappa Delta Epsilon, an honor society for educators. She also became a member of the National Honors Scholar Society during her studies at the University of Georgia.

Melanie is the daughter of Melvin and Patsy Forehand of Crawfordville. She is currently a first grade teacher in the Taliaferro County School System and was named Taliaferro County Teacher of the Year for the 2008-2009 school year.

Celebrating this event with Melanie were Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Forehand, Tionne Rhodes and Dana Danner, all of Crawfordville; and Mrs. Ethel Tyson and Antonio Tyson of Washington-Wilkes. Following the commencement exercises, guests enjoyed a steak dinner arranged by Mr. Forehand.