Class Notes
Mandy Dale, BU ’05
Mandy Dale, BU ‘05, is the new principal of Banks County Primary School in Homer, Georgia. She previously served as the assistant principal of Lula Elementary School in Hall County. She began her education career in 2005 as a teacher at Sugar Hill Elementary School in Gainesville and in 2012 became the school’s instructional coach. Prior to serving as assistant principal at Lula, she was assistant principal at Oakwood Elementary School.
Telia Rooks, BU ’04
Teila Rooks, BU ’04, graduated with a master’s degree in human services with a concentration in child and family advocacy from Kaplan University.
Marlow Leatherwood, BU ’04, ’07
Marlow Leatherwood, BU ’04, ’07, was selected as the NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year for middle-level administrators in Georgia.
Christina Owens, WC ’03
Christina Owens, WC ’03, performed with 42nd Street Moon in the Bay Area regional premiere of the Tony Award-winning Once the Musical. Owens played the role of the Ex-Girlfriend and performed violin.
Heather Schlesinger, BU ’01
Heather Schlesinger, BU ’01, received the Marketer for Good Award from the Atlanta Chapter of the American Marketing Association for her outstanding efforts in the not-for-profit arena. Schlesinger is the chief marketing officer for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the Southeast’s largest hunger relief organization.
Mikki Daughtry, WC ’01
Mikki Daughtry, WC ‘01, is the co-writer of two films released in 2019: Five Feet Apart and The Curse of La Llorona. The novelized version of Five Feet Apart was adapted directly from Daughtry’s screenplay, one of the rare times that a movie has been adapted into a book and not vice versa. The book version made it to the No. 1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List for Young Adult books. Daughtry is currently writing Esther the Wonder Pig for CBS Films, which is based on a true story and produced by The Donners’ Company.
Scott Kersh, BU ’01
Scott Kersh, BU ’01, was selected by the Worth County School Board to serve as the new principal for Worth County High School in Sylvester, Georgia. He previously served as principal at Stephens County High School since 2016 and was a teacher and coach in Hall and Banks counties with 19 years of experience as an educator.
Dawn Marie Bernhard, WC ’00
Dawn Marie Bernhard, WC ’00, accepted a job with Brenau University’s Office of External Relations as the director of development programs in March. She relocated from Las Vegas with her partner, Eric, and their daughter, Ruby, now almost 3. Bernhard is filled with unerring pride to be back in Gainesville serving her alma mater, fellow alumni and this community, all of whom she adores.
Michael Foor, BU ’98
Michael Foor, BU ’98, was recently named vice president of state government affairs in Georgia by Windstream Holdings Inc. Prior to working with Windstream, Foor was the vice president of market and member services for North Georgia Network and president of Georgia Communications Corp.
Marsha Stringer, WC ’96, BU ’03, ’05 and Amanda Stringer Butts, WC ’99
Marsha Stringer, WC ’96, BU ’03, ’05, and Amanda Stringer Butts, WC ’99, both served as volunteers during Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3 in Atlanta.
