North Gwinnett's Diya Patel Graduates From Kennesaw State At Age 19

Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast

GDP Script/ Top Stories for December 11th

Publish Date: December 11th

From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.

Today is Wednesday, December 11th and Happy birthday to Nikki Six

***12.11.24 - BIRTHDAY – NIKKI SIX***

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia.

1. North Gwinnett's Diya Patel Graduates From Kennesaw State At Age 19
2. Okefenokee Swamp supporters urge aggressive refuge expansion to stop mining
3. Gwinnett DA's Office sets national trend with FBI training award

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on picky toddlers.

All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe!

Break 1: 07.14.22 KIA MOG

STORY 1: Early Graduate: North Gwinnett's Diya Patel Graduates From Kennesaw State At Age 19

Diya Patel, a 19-year-old graduate of Kennesaw State University, earned her psychology degree with honors while balancing a packed schedule of coursework, community contributions, and research. Driven by her dream of becoming a physician, Patel accelerated her studies, taking full course loads year-round to graduate early. She was an active leader on campus, serving as president of the Honors Advisory Leadership Council and founding organizations like the KSU chapter of It’s On Us to combat sexual assault. Patel also engaged in undergraduate research, volunteered with social service groups aiding refugees and unhoused people, and worked at an urgent care facility while honing her multilingual skills. Passionate about education, healthcare, and sustainable development, she aims to continue her global volunteer efforts alongside her medical career, inspired by the diverse, supportive community she found at KSU.

STORY 2: Okefenokee Swamp supporters urge aggressive refuge expansion to stop mining

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed a 22,000-acre expansion of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to protect the area through land purchases or conservation easements with willing landowners. The plan has garnered strong support from environmental advocates, who are urging the FWS to expand even further to permanently block mining projects near the refuge, including a controversial titanium mine by Twin Pines Mineral. Opponents of the mine argue it could harm water levels, wildlife, and the ecosystem, while Twin Pines claims the project would have no negative impact. While the expansion won't directly influence Georgia's permitting decisions, it reflects a broader effort to ensure long-term protection of this vital blackwater swamp. Local and state officials have also rallied in opposition to the mine, calling for stronger safeguards for the swamp's unique environment.

STORY 3: Gwinnett DA's Office sets national trend with FBI training award

This week, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office became the first DA's office in the U.S. to receive the Agency Trilogy Award from FBI-LEEDA, recognizing their entire command staff's completion of leadership courses. While many law enforcement agencies have earned this award, Gwinnett's achievement is unique among DA offices. The award highlights their commitment to professional development and leadership, aligning with DA Patsy Austin-Gatson's vision for serving the community. The training, which can be completed in about a month, enhances leadership skills and ethics, benefiting the office and its investigators.

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We’ll be right back

Break 2: 08.05.24 OBITS_FINAL

STORY 4: Second Chance Champion: GGC grad overcame debilitating accident to earn degree

After surviving a devastating car crash in 2017, Jessica Rantamaki, an avid runner, faced a long recovery from severe injuries. Determined to reclaim her life, she not only returned to running, completing the Peachtree Road Race a year later, but also pursued a college degree at 47. Inspired by her experience and the young man responsible for the crash, she enrolled in political science to understand and potentially reform the justice system. Rantamaki's journey highlights the importance of community support and her desire to contribute positively, aiming to work with nonprofits aiding young or incarcerated individuals.

STORY 5: Seckinger High School A State Finalist In Samsung's National STEM Competition

Seckinger High School is among 300 U.S. public schools, and one of seven in Georgia, competing for the $100,000 grand prize in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition. As a state finalist, Seckinger received a $2,500 technology prize pack. Their project, EWSEEAI, uses AI to enhance school safety by analyzing security video and audio in real time. The competition encourages students in grades 6-12 to use STEM for innovative solutions to local issues, with this year's focus on school safety, climate crisis, and mental health. Samsung will award over $2 million in prizes.

Break 3:

And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on picky toddlers

*** INGLES 1 (PICKY TODDLER) ***

We’ll have final thoughts after this.

Break 4: Ingles Markets 1

Signoff –

Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com

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