Bartow's South Central Middle School Gets A New Name

BARTOW COUNTY, GA -- While teachers and students are busy wrapping up the end of the school year, there have been some exciting planning meetings taking place to prepare for 2019 – 2020. What is currently South Central Middle School will now be called, “Red Top Middle.”

Stakeholders approached Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page in August 2018, looking to change the school name with one that better represents the community it serves. A committee was formed made of students, parents and administrators from the elementary feeder schools and South Central, community members, current Principal Tia Windsor, and incoming Principal Dr. Wes Dickey, along with the leadership team. Each group shared their top two ideas and the reasons for their choices. Kimmora Mahatoo, a seventh grader at South Central, thought “Lakepoint Middle” would be a great name. “Since Lakepoint is right down the road and fun, it makes sense,” she explained. Other ideas were presented and discussed, but the committee decided on Red Top Middle. Dr. Fraker, chief operations officer, said, “This process went surprisingly smoothly. Everyone came prepared with ideas and reasons for their choices, and they were all great. But in the end, the committee agreed that Red Top Middle was the best.”

Before sharing their ideas, Al Pallone, mayor of Emerson, provided information about the city’s history. Pallone explained that the first inhabitants of Emerson were the Cherokee Indians, as evidenced by the artifacts found along the Etowah River and Pumpkinvine Creek. Later, many people migrated to Georgia after the discovery of gold in Dahlonega. One of the first families to settle there was Moses and Elijan Stroup. They noted that this area’s red dirt contained large deposits of iron. Soon, graphite and small deposits of gold were also found. Mining was one of the main industries in Emerson and still exists throughout Bartow County.

Given this information, it was now time to select a mascot. Cardinals, mountaineers and rattlers were suggested, but the final choice was “The miners.” Dickey said he was pleased with the choice and felt, “the process was easier than expected. Everything had a rhyme and a reason for why it was chosen. It was great being a part of this. The students on the committee got to be included in something that most weren’t able to experience. I am very excited to jump on board at Red Top Middle. I look forward to working with the students, teachers, parents, community and business partners.” The school colors will be red, silver and white. The red represents Red Top Mountain and the silver and white are both accent colors of the feeder schools.

Although the committee didn’t select his idea, “Old Alabama Middle School,” sixth grader, Carmello Morris said he was happy with the new name and mascot. “I hope the mascot is intimidating.” His idea for the logo would be an ‘R’ and a ‘T’, intertwined with a stick of dynamite. That is yet to be determined.

Current Principal, Tia Windsor, said, “It is an honor to be the last principal of South Central Middle School. I’m sure the new name will be well-received by the community, but I know that whatever the school is called, it will always be my favorite.”