Dalton Public Schools -

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton Academy senior Guadalupe Mena!

During her time at the Dalton Academy, Guadalupe Mena took advantage of every opportunity in front of her, becoming an influential leader and an integral part of her community. Guadalupe participated in many aspects of her school community, including soccer, flag football, student council, and multiple service clubs. Throughout these varied activities, she consistently demonstrated strong leadership skills. Guadalupe served as both Vice President and President of the National Honor Society, as well as Publicist for Student Council. She was also captain of the soccer program throughout all four years of high school. While balancing these many responsibilities, Guadalupe continued to excel academically, remaining in the top ten of her class. Guadalupe Mena is an exemplary student who not only served her school community but also consistently pursued excellence in all she did. We are confident that, with her determination and leadership, she will continue to achieve many impressive accomplishments in the future.

Way to go!

Meet the DPS Cabinet ✨

Our cabinet members play an important role in supporting our schools and helping ensure students and staff have what they need to succeed.

Today, we’re highlighting Kendra Pannell, Executive Director of Communications.

We asked Ms. Pannell a few questions about her role, what she enjoys most about Dalton Public Schools, and a little about who she is outside of work. Here’s what she had to say 👇

"I serve Dalton Public Schools by leading a team responsible for strategic communications, public relations, and community engagement, ensuring our families, staff, and stakeholders stay informed and connected. Our work includes managing crisis and districtwide communications, as well as sharing the stories of our students and staff through our website and app, photography, videography, and graphic design, all while maintaining a strong and consistent brand. I also collaborate with school and district leaders to ensure messaging is clear, timely, and aligned with our mission and priorities."

"What I enjoy most about working in Dalton Public Schools is the opportunity to tell the stories of our students, staff, and community while capturing the magical moments that happen in and because of our schools each day. As a team, we take pride in streamlining communication processes and coordinating events so our schools can focus on what matters most—teaching and learning. We also value the strong relationships across our schools and departments—it’s truly a team effort, with a shared commitment to doing what’s best for our students."

"Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my kiddos—Charleigh, Keaton, and Ben. We spend a lot of our time outdoors fishing, hunting, and just being together, and those are some of my favorite moments. I love watching them grow and stay involved in their activities, and you can often find me in the backyard with my bow when I have a little downtime. I also really value spending time with the people I care about most—whether that’s family or close friends—and try to be intentional about making time for them."

Ms. Pannell has served in education for 8 years.

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton High School senior Shanya Washington!

During her time at Dalton High School, Shanya excelled in every area she committed to and brightened every room she entered, no matter the responsibility in front of her. Shanya is a high-achieving athlete who participated in competition and football sideline varsity cheerleading, as well as varsity track and field. She states that one of her greatest achievements was balancing school, work, and athletics while earning recognition for her leadership and communication skills. These experiences helped her develop strong time management, responsibility, and teamwork skills. In 2023, Shanya was also selected as a GHSA Inspiration Award winner, an honor that highlights her ability to consistently exceed expectations and positively impact her community. In the fall, Shanya will continue her education at Savannah State University, where she plans to major in Early Childhood Education and has already secured a spot on the university’s cheerleading team. We are immensely proud of Shanya and everything she has accomplished, and we cannot wait to see where she chooses to excel next.

Way to go!

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton Academy High School senior Fatima Pimentel!

During her time at the Dalton Academy, Fatima has become an integral part of the school community, taking part in numerous organizations and activities while excelling academically and remaining true to herself. Fatima is a member of the National Honor Society and HOSA, an organization for future health professionals. She also serves as Student Council President, a role she considers one of her greatest achievements. In addition to her leadership in school organizations, Fatima has been involved in several athletic programs, including flag football and volleyball, and serves as the social media manager for the boys soccer team. She has also contributed to her school community as the school photographer, capturing meaningful moments and helping tell the story of Dalton Academy. While balancing these many responsibilities, Fatima has continued to excel in the classroom, consistently maintaining A’s in her courses. However, beyond her accomplishments and involvement, Fatima is most proud of her ability to keep pushing herself through every obstacle while staying true to who she is. In the fall, Fatima will continue her education at Dalton State College as she works toward becoming a radiologic technician. Fatima has poured her energy into every aspect of her school community and has worked to be a positive influence in each area she takes part in. We are confident that her perseverance, dedication, and commitment to success will continue to take her far.

Way to go!

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton Academy senior Miguel Angel Huerta!

During his time at the Dalton Academy, Miguel Angel Huerta enthusiastically participated in multiple school activities while centering his journey on self-improvement. In addition to playing soccer, he was a member of DECA, a global student organization that prepares high school students for careers in high-demand fields by transforming classroom learning into real-world business skills. Despite his involvement in key aspects of the Dalton Academy community, Miguel shares that his greatest achievement has been making his parents proud and overcoming past challenges to become a better person. He is currently undecided on which college he will attend in the fall but plans to major in welding and automotive mechanics. Ultimately, we are excited to see where Miguel’s journey takes him and are confident that he will make a positive impact wherever he goes.

Way to go!

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton High School senior Hiam Maldonado!

During his time at Dalton High School, Hiam has gone above and beyond in every aspect of his educational journey. He held leadership positions in organizations such as HoPe, where he served as Vice President. He also participated in multiple service-based organizations, including Interact Club, National Beta Club, and the National Honor Society. Hiam’s community involvement also extended beyond the classroom, as he served on the Youth United Council of United Way, an organization focused on creating lasting community change throughout the North Georgia area. While dedicating himself to these organizations, Hiam also excelled academically, ranking in the top ten of his class and earning fives on nearly all of his AP exams. Among his many accomplishments, Hiam considers being named a STAR Student one of his greatest achievements. STAR, which stands for Student Teacher Achievement Recognition, honors Georgia’s highest-achieving high school seniors and their teachers. To receive this recognition, Hiam had to earn the highest SAT score in his senior class while also ranking among the top ten students in his class based on grade point average. In the fall, Hiam will continue his academic journey at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he plans to study electrical engineering because of his interest in the invisible and abstract aspects of electricity. Hiam has stood as a beacon of student excellence within our community, and we are eager to see where his passion and unwavering drive will take him next.

Way to go!

It’s officially Senior Spotlight season, and we couldn’t be more proud to shine a light on some of our upcoming graduates!

Today we’re featuring Dalton High School senior Leslie Garcia!

During her time in high school, Leslie Garcia has gone above and beyond in every aspect of her academic journey. From band, to the classroom, to leadership opportunities, Leslie brings passion and hard work to DHS every day. She participated in marching band throughout all four years of high school and served as the flute section leader for two years. Leslie also expanded her leadership school-wide as a representative on student council, Vice President of the National Honor Society, and Treasurer of Beta Club during her senior year. In addition, she participated in several service-based organizations, including Interact Club, HOSA, Key Club, and the Buddy Program. Leslie also excelled academically, earning recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction and a Georgia Scholar, an honor awarded to exceptional high school students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, and strong SAT performance. She has remained in the top ten of her class throughout all four years of high school, an accomplishment she states she is extremely proud of. In the fall, Leslie will continue her education at the University of Georgia, where she plans to study psychology on the pre-med track with a focus on the neurological side of the medical field. Leslie is grateful to everyone who has supported her throughout her journey and is excited to begin a new chapter in her life. We are eager to see where her passion and dedication take her next, and we are incredibly thankful to have had her as such an active member of the Dalton Public Schools community.

Way to go!

Meet the DPS Cabinet ✨

Our cabinet members play an important role in supporting our schools and helping ensure students and staff have what they need to succeed.

Today, we’re highlighting Pam Wiles, Assistant Superintendent of Exceptional Student Services.

We asked Mrs. Wiles a few questions about her role, what she enjoys most about Dalton Public Schools, and a little about who she is outside of work. Here’s what she had to say 👇

"I am honored to serve as the Assistant Superintendent of Exceptional Student Services for Dalton Public Schools. Leading a dedicated team, I facilitate the coordination of special education services and 504 supports, working to remove barriers to learning and championing equitable access for all students across the district."

"What I enjoy most is the unwavering commitment to a 'students-first' philosophy. From district leadership to the classroom, decisions are guided by the simple question: 'What is best for the student?' This mission is brought to life by our incredible ESS team—from our dedicated teachers and paraprofessionals to our school psychologists, therapists, and support staff. It is a privilege to work alongside such a diverse group of professionals pulling in the same direction."

"Outside of the office, my life is centered around my family and my faith. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for almost 36 years, and we have two amazing sons in the Christian music industry, along with a precious daughter-in-love. For the majority of our marriage, my husband and I served together in ministry, and today we are also honored to serve as caretakers for his parents. To recharge, I head outdoors—I love almost anything that involves fresh air and nature."

"Though my career started in preschool, private school, and business education, I found my true calling in special education. I have since dedicated the last 24 years to serving in public schools, working to ensure that every student has the support and resources they need to thrive."