April 22, 2025—South Cobb High School is always full of excitement and activity, thanks to Principal Tommy Perry's desire to make the school a hub for the community. Two recent events highlight a few of the fun and educational opportunities available at South Cobb for both students and families.
The school held its annual International Festival on the Friday before Spring Break in the gymnasium. A tradition that's at least 25 years old, Social Studies teacher Sally Simpson has been organizing the event for the last 20 years.
"It is one of the most anticipated events in the entire school year for South Cobb," Ms. Simpson said. "Some student groups begin planning for the Festival as soon as school begins in August. Teachers also look forward to the event and are on the lookout for the signup email. There is a 'race' to sign up for the opportunity. This year, the spots filled up in less than 4 hours!"
Students choose which countries around the world to highlight. There is music and dances, colorful clothes and decorations, photos and drawings, and food—lots and lots of food—to sample from around the world.
"It is so amazing. Some groups canvas local restaurants and seek donations, but for the most part, it is a group effort with parents, siblings, extended family, and neighbors offering to prepare traditional dishes. Some feature their native country; some use this as an opportunity to learn about another culture. The only restrictions I enforce are that a list of ingredients is prominent on each table in case of allergies. Beyond that, the sky is the limit," Ms. Simpson said as hundreds of students walked by with small plates of samples.
As a social studies teacher, Ms. Simpson loves the real-world applications of the International Festival.
"It offers students valuable cultural awareness, global citizenship, and community collaboration lessons. It also provides an outlet for creative expression and helps students visualize the history and significance of various traditions. Additionally, it fosters a sense of pride and identity, enhancing students' overall well-being and self-esteem," Ms. Simpson concluded proudly about the 2025 South Cobb International Festival.
Another school event was held this past Saturday on the football field in Clay Stadium. The second annual Community Fun Day was a huge success, bringing with it beautiful weather, a live DJ, games, bouncy houses, and many food trucks and vendors. Even though it was the Saturday before Easter, many families came out to enjoy the day, the food, and the fun.
"We had a little over 800 attendees this year, which was a little less than last year, but there were a lot of other events going on this weekend," Principal Perry said. "We had many more vendors, along with a live DJ. The Easter egg hunts were a big hit, too!"
Principal Perry himself dropped hundreds of plastic eggs from a lift on the 50-yard line. Children (and adults) of all ages were separated into groups and allowed to collect as many eggs as possible.
"The kids were so happy, and the teen and adult egg hunt was hilarious! It was my favorite part of the day," Principal Perry said with a smile.
Gale Thomas, a South Cobb student, agreed. "It was really fun, and it brought us all together. I liked how the tables were very diverse. I also liked the jumpy house, and the game truck was cool. So yeah, it was a vibe," he said.
Assistant Principal Angela Hurley attended the Fun Day with her family and had a great time. "The South Cobb Community Day was a great event for the community! Thank you!" she said with appreciation.
Pastor Reggie Fields from Revive Church could be seen everywhere all day long, greeting people and smiling and having a great time. "Community Fun Day was a big success!" Pastor Fields said with enthusiasm. "It was fun, engaging, and a beautiful way to bring everyone together. The DJ was fantastic too. It truly felt like a family reunion with great music and good vibes all around."
Reflecting on the day and the event, Principal Perry was optimistic. "It was an amazing community event! I loved seeing all the smiles, laughter, dancing, eating, and just the mixing and mingling with one another," he said. "I can't wait to do it again next year!"
