2025 IMPACT Award Recipients
Caleb Freeman
Caleb Freeman serves as an Assistant Principal for Cartersville Primary School, where his leadership, heart for service, and deep commitment to students have made a lasting impact on the culture of the district and the community it serves.
Caleb earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Berry College, his Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of West Georgia, and an Associate of Science in Special Education from Georgia Highlands College. He is a two-time Region Assistant Coach of the Year and a proud graduate of the Wesley C. Walraven, Sr. Academic Scholarship program.
Caleb’s journey in education began in special education, where he learned the importance of meeting every child exactly where they are. He later transitioned to physical education, connecting with students through teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, before moving into school administration—a role that allows him to pour into an entire school community. Each stage of his career has shaped his leadership philosophy: that true leadership is service, and service is love.
His first year in administration tested his resilience—transitioning from the gym to the office came with challenges and uncertainty. But Caleb’s willingness to embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth became a defining moment in his leadership. Through persistence and humility, he emerged as a stronger, more reflective leader who now uses those lessons to mentor others and foster an environment rooted in compassion, grace, and growth.
Over nearly a decade with Cartersville City Schools, Caleb has left an indelible mark through his work as both a coach and mentor. He has coached multiple sports impacting thousands of student-athletes by teaching lessons that extend far beyond the scoreboard. Many of his former players still reach out years later to share their successes—graduating from college, starting careers, or beginning families—and credit him as a steady influence in their lives.
In his daily work at Cartersville Primary School, Caleb is especially intentional about mentoring young men who may not have consistent positive role models. Whether through a hallway conversation, a listening ear, or a quiet moment of encouragement, he consistently demonstrates the values of integrity, respect, and character.
Yet for Caleb, the greatest measure of success is not found in awards or titles—it’s in the lives of the students he’s served. His legacy is one of purpose, heart, and service. Through his unwavering dedication to the Cartersville community, Caleb Freeman continues to remind others that leadership is not about position—it’s about people.
Brad Gilmore
Brad Gilmore is the Director of College and Community Engagement at Georgia Highlands College, where he has transformed the college into a vibrant hub for education, youth development, and community collaboration across Northwest Georgia.
Brad earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Georgia Highlands College, following an Associate of Science in Business Administration from the same institution. He has built a career focused on connecting students, families, and community partners to educational opportunities, youth programs, and community resources.
Since beginning his career, Brad has grown from a part-time administrative assistant to a leadership role that bridges higher education and community engagement. He has strengthened existing partnerships, developed new initiatives, and worked to make Georgia Highlands College a welcoming space for collaboration, innovation, and civic involvement.
Brad has played a central role in creating signature community events, including the 10,000 Egg Hunt, the annual Youth Fishing Rodeo, and Boofest, which together draw thousands of participants and foster family engagement throughout the region. He also coordinates robotics and technology competitions, as well as Teen Maze programs on both the Cartersville and Floyd campuses, reaching over 4,000 ninth-grade students annually with immersive life-skills education. His athletic outreach programs in basketball, baseball, softball, cross country, tennis, and volleyball bring students, families, and fans together, strengthening school spirit and community connections.
Beyond event planning, Brad has facilitated the use of campus spaces for nonprofit and business meetings, served as an adult advisor for the Bartow and Floyd Youth Action Teams, and actively contributes to numerous boards and civic organizations, including Rotary and the Bartow County Education Foundation. His leadership roles have also included chairing Youth Leadership Bartow and serving on the planning committee for the NWGA Lead regional leadership initiative.
Brad’s work reflects a commitment to fostering collaboration, empowering youth, and strengthening community ties. He believes that creating opportunities for connection and engagement can spark meaningful change, leaving a lasting impact on the students, families, and communities he serves.
Christa Gilmore
Christa Gilmore is a public health professional dedicated to youth development, prevention, and community engagement throughout Bartow County and the surrounding region. She currently serves as the Adolescent Health & Youth Development Coordinator for the Northwest Public Health District, leading a 10-county prevention education team and expanding programming to thousands of students and educators.
Christa earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Behavior from the University of Georgia, and recently completed her Master of Education in Learning, Leadership, and Organizational Change from the University of Georgia, while working full-time and raising two young children.
Since beginning her career in 2011, Christa has worked tirelessly to bring innovative public health and prevention programs to her home community of Bartow County. She founded Bartow Teen Maze, an interactive program serving over 1,500 students annually to help them navigate real-life choices within a safe environment. She also introduced the Sources of Strength program at Cartersville High School, training dozens of student peer leaders each year to serve as connectors to help and agents of positive change.
Christa’s collaborative efforts extend across more than 20 local organizations, schools, and coalitions. She has served as Board President for the Bartow Collaborative and Bartow Against Drugs, Committee Chair of Adult Leadership Bartow, Chair of the Etowah Foundation Personnel Committee, and as an original member of the SKORE Board, helping to build comprehensive youth and family support services. Through these efforts, she has strengthened the infrastructure of community programs, ensuring youth and families have access to mental health services, mentoring, tutoring, and other critical resources.
Christa has been recognized with numerous professional honors, including a state award for highest achieving health district within the Adolescent Health and Youth Development program, a CADCA Academy award, and certification as one of only three Sources of Strength Regional Trainers in Georgia. Her work reflects a deep commitment to empowering youth and supporting families, shaping a healthier and more connected community.
Christa believes that by equipping young people with knowledge, skills, and support, every small action can create a ripple effect of positive change—leaving a lasting impact on the next generation of leaders in Bartow County.
Jarvis S. McAfee
Jarvis McAfee is a public safety, law enforcement, and security professional whose career spans ministry, law enforcement, corporate risk management, and business ownership. Throughout his journey, Jarvis has exemplified service, leadership, and integrity, demonstrating that true impact comes from showing up consistently and giving one’s best to others.
Jarvis began his professional path in ministry, where he served as a corpsman and armorbearer, learning the importance of humility, discipline, and serving others before himself. These foundational lessons shaped his transition into security in 2013 and later law enforcement at both the local and state levels. In these roles, he developed expertise in protection, crisis management, and community engagement, always emphasizing integrity and relationship-building alongside operational excellence.
Jarvis also gained critical corporate experience as a safety and risk specialist within the insurance industry, mastering the principles of accountability, documentation, and operational efficiency. These lessons, combined with his ministry and law enforcement experience, laid the groundwork for Jarvis to found and lead his own security firm, InArms Protection Agency. As a business owner, he integrates discipline, consistency, and service-focused leadership into both his team and the broader community.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jarvis is deeply committed to community service. He actively participates in initiatives such as Shop with a Hero, Ice Cream with a Hero, the United Way Golf Tournament, and the Rotary Club Clay Shooting Tournament. Through these programs, Jarvis has provided mentorship, inspiration, and support to children, families, and community members, demonstrating that leadership is as much about accessibility, compassion, and presence as it is about authority.
Jarvis’s dedication extends to family and faith. He is a devoted husband, father, son, and ordained minister at New Life Cathedral International Family Church. He is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Bartow County, the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber, Leadership Bartow Class of 2026, and the International Foundation for Protection Officers.
Across every stage of his career, Jarvis has embodied the principle that success begins with showing up. Whether serving in ministry, responding as a law enforcement officer, managing corporate risk, or leading a team of security professionals, Jarvis McAfee has built a legacy rooted in service, integrity, and positive impact on both his community and the lives of those he protects.
Mallory Scoggins Whorton
Mallory is the Director of School Nutrition for Cartersville City Schools, where she leads innovative programs to ensure that every student has access to healthy meals while addressing food insecurity across the community.
Mallory earned her Master of Science in Community Nutrition from the University of Georgia, completing her graduate studies while balancing a full-time career and raising two children. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University, with a concentration in Human Resource Management.
Since beginning her career, Mallory has grown from bookkeeper to coordinator, and now director, developing a deep understanding of every level of school nutrition operations. Under her leadership, Cartersville City Schools has expanded its mission beyond the cafeteria, creating programs that directly support students and families in need. She founded the Annual Back-to-School Community Luncheon, raising monies for the Random Acts of Kindness fund to help cover gaps in food access, and launched a monthly Drive-Thru Pantry in partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, distributing over 80,000 pounds of food to more than 2,100 households in just nine months.
Mallory’s work extends beyond direct service. She partners with local businesses and nonprofits, coordinates holiday meal programs for families facing housing insecurity, and serves on the Red Door Food Pantry Board as Secretary. She has also shared her expertise at Georgia School Nutrition events, empowering other leaders to address food insecurity in their own communities.
Her dedication has earned her multiple honors, including Classified Employee of the Year at Cartersville City Schools, the General Mills Tray Blazer Award, and the USDA Gold Turnip the Beet Award—recognitions that reflect not only her leadership but also the impact of her team and community partners.
Mallory believes that service is a calling, and through her work, she demonstrates how thoughtful, community-driven initiatives can relieve burdens, inspire others to give back, and foster a stronger, healthier community.
