Today, I had a chance to sit down with three GOC students - 10th-graders Kendall and Ajjia and 12th-grader Anna. We talked about dance, music, concerts, travel, reading, sports, peer leaders, and the very exciting possibility of a new podcast hosted by Kendall and Ajjia. Yes - GOC may have a new and better podcast! I’m so excited, and can’t wait to see this podcast get started. Let’s jump right into the conversation. Here is Kendall, Anna, and Ajjia. If you have a question or want to be on the p...
May 01, 2025•28 min•Ep. 88
Earlier this year, I had a chance to sit down and chat with Ansley. Ansley is a 12th-grade student here at GOC. We had an awesome conversation and chatted about interior design and architecture, internships and college, judicial building design - yes sounds weird - not at all - totally fascinating. We talked about GSLT, Student Council, Ansley’s service group that she started, singing - opera specifically, theatre, knitting/sewing/quilting and the differences between them, reading, music, thrift...
Apr 23, 2025•51 min•Ep. 87
Earlier this year, I had a chance to sit down and chat with Colleen. Colleen is an 11th grade student here at GOC. Colleen and I had an awesome conversation - we chatted about friendship and how important good friends are in our lives. We talked about the joy of having multiple friend groups - school, youth group, etc., and the challenges of texting and hanging out with different friend groups - it can be hard to balance. We talk about music - specifically live music and concerts and how excitin...
Apr 23, 2025•57 min•Ep. 86
Today, I had a chance to sit down and chat with Sean, a 6th-grade student here at GOC. Some of you may know Sean from school, and some of you may know Sean from YouTube or Instagram where he is known as Sean the Science Kid (find and follow him HERE ). Let me tell you - Sean knows his science. We talked about Sean’s interest in science education, his experiments, and his current projects and activities. We discussed gravity, thought experiments, engineering, time travel, singing, cooking, the Ol...
Sep 11, 2024•47 min•Ep. 85
Today I had a chance to sit down with Bissette, a 12th-grade student here at GOC. Bissette was one of the very first guests on this Podcast. I sat down with her back in 2019 when she was in 8th grade, and it was so much fun to catch up with Bissette. We talk about school, dual enrollment, her decision to attend UGA, her future interest in Law, Entertainment, and Media studies. We discuss some of her current film projects, auditioning, script writing, and her process. We travel, her role on the G...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 84
Today I had a chance to sit down with Russell, a 12th-grade student here at GOC. We discuss Russell’s awesome 1995 Volvo Green 940 and our dream cars. We talk about our shared musical interests - playing, listening, singing - all of it. We discuss performing and singing and Russell’s interest in voice acting. We discuss video games, design, technology, computers, and web design. We close out our conversation talking about running and races and an interesting idea for a future episode of this pod...
Apr 18, 2024•59 min•Ep. 83
Today I had a chance to sit down with Nicholas, a 6th-grade student here at GOC. We start our chat with the best topic of all - food. We talk Chick-Fil-A, Shake Shack, and The Cheesecake Factory. We discuss Nicholas’s recent trip to New York and his top restaurant recommendations. We dive into the some NBA talk and get into the LeBron vs. Jordan debate. We talk Madden and the NFL and Nicholas’s trip to Germany to watch the Dolphins vs. the Chiefs. Finally, we discuss hip-hop and new and old-scho...
Apr 17, 2024•44 min•Ep. 82
Today I had a chance to sit down with Valentina, an 11th-grade student here at GOC. I’ve been able to see Valentina perform at the GOC Talent Show several times - she’s very very talented. We talk about the talent show and dance - she explains what it’s like to be a company and participate in recitals and competitions. Valentina explains her passion for lyrical and contemporary dance and she shares her plans to work with and dance with Tori (from episode 58) in next year’s talent show. We talk t...
Apr 11, 2024•52 min•Ep. 81
Today I had a chance to sit down with not one, but two of my favorite students here at GOC - Anyse and Sienna. Anyse and Sienna have each been on the podcast in the past, but today they teamed up for a group conversation about The Nest News, GOC’s student-led news program. You get a behind the scenes listen to what it’s like to be a member of the new crew. We also dive deep into iCarly, we talk about future plans and careers, graduation, making lists, the stress of hosting parties, party dress d...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 80
Today I had a chance to sit down with James, a 4th grade student here at GOC. We dive deep into Pokémon. We discuss the origins of Pokémon, games, card collecting, and movies. James shares his Pokémon notebook and we discuss his own drawings and creations. We discuss James' YouTube favorites and ambitions, his favorite movies, his drawing skills and history, Legos, music, his pets, running, video games, and his amazing treehouse. If you have a question or want to be on the podcast, please email ...
Mar 19, 2024•35 min•Ep. 79
Today I had a chance to sit down with Audrey, an 11th-grade student here at GOC. I've known Audrey for a long time, so it was a pleasure to be able to sit and talk with her about her hobbies and interests. We start by talking about running - a favorite hobby of mine and Audrey. She tells me all about the races she likes to run, running with family, shoe choices, medals, trophies, and why her running nickname should be Audrey Crow. We dive into movies and discuss her viewing habits and favorites....
Mar 13, 2024•37 min•Ep. 78
Today I had a chance to sit down with Cayla, a 10th-grade student here at GOC. Kayla has some very interesting hobbies. She is a gamer - and likes playing and watching walkthroughs of games. Kayla is also a musician. She plays viola and piano. She is a singer - she sings in her church choir, and she’s a music lover and gives me some great holiday music suggestions. If you have a question or want to be on the podcast, please email me at dan.lollis@gcpsk12.org . If you’re interested in Gwinnett On...
Nov 07, 2023•24 min•Ep. 77
Today I had a chance to sit down with Alex, a 12th-grade student here at GOC. Alex and I had a great discussion that mainly focused on his passion and talent for gaming, but we also talked about paintball, airsoft, and Alex’s automotive classes at Maxwell. Alex is definitely an expert at Call of Duty, and that’s a game I have a tiny bit of knowledge about, so we dive deep into strategy, maps, weapons, and the teamwork and communication required to be successful at a complex and fast-paced sport....
Oct 31, 2023•44 min•Ep. 76
Welcome back to a new school year and all new podcasts. Today, I had a chance to sit down with Anyse a 12th-grade student here at GOC. We had a great conversation about some of Anyse’s favorite television shows and films. He has vast knowledge and experience with a ton of film and TV. Anyse shares his ideas on why Parks and Rec is his favorite TV show of all time. We talk about our love for the Mission Impossible movies. And Anyse discusses why he would like a career in film or TV as a director....
Oct 10, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 75
Kourtney and Kaitlyn are 8th-grade students at GOC. They are also twins, and they sit down with Mr. Lollis to discuss travel to places like New Orleans, Kentucky, and Florida. Kourtney and Kaitlyn share why the city of New Orleans is important to them. They also talk about music, singing, drawing, painting, cooking, their dog Mimi, Kourtney’s interest in entomology, and Kaitlyn’s interest in working with animals. If you have a question or want to be on the podcast, please email me at dan.lollis@...
May 10, 2023•43 min•Ep. 74
Shelbie is an 8th-grade student at GOC. She's also into acting, singing, and scary movies. Shelbie sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk about acing, singing, her favorite actors, scary movies, softball, editing video and creating on TikTok, cooking healthy meals, writing, and music. Shelbie loves acting and scary movies and shares some great advice on the acting process. Shelbie discusses her plans for the future, how she uses emotion in her writing and acting, and her favorite musical artist. If y...
May 09, 2023•33 min•Ep. 73
Bryson is a 7th-grade student at GOC. He's also a Lego fanatic, soccer player, performer, and artist/creator. Bryson sits down with Mr. Lollis to chat about Lego free builds, sets, and some of his latest projects including a life-size, wearable helmet. Bryson discusses soccer, architecture, and his passion for crafting and designing with cardboard, scraps, and recycled materials. He finishes the podcast talking about painting, drawing, puppets, acting, performing, and his love for Hamilton. If y...
May 04, 2023•45 min•Ep. 72
Dominique is a senior at GOC. She's also into film, TV, and video production, and creating original and creative content. Dominique sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk about her years at GOC and how excited she is for graduation. She also discusses creativity and how that has allowed her to explore different interests and hobbies from graphic design to her current interest in TV and Video Production. Dominiques shares her latest projects and discusses her process - the creation, development, plann...
May 03, 2023•26 min•Ep. 71
Gianni is a 9th-grade student at GOC. He's also into racing, military history, and great conversation. Gianni sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk about all sorts of hobbies and interests - Legends cars, racing strategy, WWII history, video games, family, friends, and the enjoyment he gets from good conversation. If you have a question or want to be on the podcast, please email me at dan.lollis@gcpsk12.org . If you’re interested in Gwinnett Online Campus , you can head over to our website and find ...
Apr 27, 2023•50 min•Ep. 70
Mrs. Michelle Allen is a language arts teacher at GOC. She's also a runner, a reader, and a game show winner. Mrs. Allen sits down with Mr. Lollis talk about what it was like to be on Family Feud. Mrs. Allen shares all the behind the scenes details - the trailer, the stage, the lights, microphones, and cameras, the audience, the host, the nervousness and excitement she felt, and how hard it was to keep her family's performance secret for months. In addition to being on Family Feud, Ms. Allen tal...
Apr 18, 2023•38 min•Ep. 69
August is an 11th-grade student at GOC. They're also a poet, music-lover, and hair dye expert. August sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk about their favorite class, being the stage manager for the talent show, the enjoyment and challenges that come from writing poetry, their love of 90s grunge music and bands like Nirvana and Alice in Chains, listening to music on headphones or boom box, and hair dye - color, process, and history. If you have a question or want to be on the podcast, please email ...
Apr 12, 2023•26 min•Ep. 68
Sienna is a 10th-grade student at GOC. She's also a huge music fan, a creative, and a collector of GOC pins. Sienna sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk about her love of alternative music and bands like Paramore. She talks about the advantages of listening to music on vinyl or CDs, and her musical talents - from her past talent show performances on the piano to her newer interest in ukulele, electric guitar, and violin. She discusses the joys of reading and writing, her interest in psychology, her...
Apr 11, 2023•35 min•Ep. 67
Ms. Kimberly Park is a 3rd-grade teacher at Gwinnett Online Campus. She's also a living historian. And she shares information about the 18th Century Market Faire taking place at Fort Yargo Park from March 31 to April 2nd. She talks about the historical demonstrations, military drills, old-fashioned toys, music, dance, and family fun that marks the Fort Yargo Living History Society's biggest and most exciting event of the year. Click HERE if you would like more information about the event. If you...
Mar 29, 2023•26 min•Ep. 66
Dr. Toledo is a teacher at GOC. She is also a New Yorker, tap dancer, and world traveler. Dr. Toledo sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk about being a teacher and administrator, growing up in Manhattan, her interest in the arts from a young age, tap dancing on Broadway, dancing in general, her time spent abroad in Romania as a director at the University of North Georgia helping ROTC students prepare for life in the military, and teaching and living in Puerto Rico. If you have a question or want to...
Mar 28, 2023•26 min•Ep. 65
Rylie is a 6th-grade student here at GOC. She is also into making bracelets, playing softball, and hanging out with her friends. Rylie sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk about her new business making and selling clay-bead bracelets, her love for sea turtles, and her desire to be a marine biologist. She also talks about hanging out with friends, riding bikes, playing softball, singing, babysitting, the Atlanta Braves, playing tennis, rollerblading, drawing, fashion, and hair. If you have a questio...
Mar 22, 2023•37 min•Ep. 64
Ruth is a 6th grade student here at GOC. She's also a singer, dancer, musician, and martial artist. Ruth sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk about her singing, ballet, piano, Taekwondo, elementary school memories, future career plans, and how she handles stage fright. Ruth shares what it was like to live in Dubai and how she got up the courage to come on the podcast. If you have a question or want to be on the podcast, please email me at dan.lollis@gcpsk12.org . If you’re interested in Gwinnett On...
Mar 21, 2023•59 min•Ep. 63
Sela is a 2nd grade student here at GOC. She's also a singer, Barbie clothes designer, and good friend. Sela sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk about science, designing Barbie clothes, sewing, soccer, making friends through sports and hobbies, singing, Dungeons and Dragons with her brother, making music with her dad, gymnastics, football, her dogs Mugs and Trotro, riding bikes and running, and the enjoyment that comes from playing and hanging out with friends and family. If you have a question or...
Mar 15, 2023•27 min•Ep. 62
Weston is a 9th grade student here at GOC. He's also a basketball player, actor, and shoe collector. Weston sits down with Mr. Lollis to talk all about basketball, the NBA, the top current players, the top-all-time players, Kareem vs. Shaq, Steph vs. Magic, and the ultimate sports argument of Lebron vs. Jordan. Weston talks about football, sports, music, collecting shoes, acting, and performing. West has been in several GOC stage performances and talks about what it’s like to be on stage and how...
Mar 14, 2023•51 min•Ep. 61
Mr. Jackson is a counselor at GOC. He's also into cooking, sports, and music. Mr. Jackson sits down with Mr. Lollis and answers a few questions about dual enrollment before diving deep into their shared interests in cooking, sports and music. Mr. Jackson shares his history, the role his grandmothers played in his love of cooking, and the underlying theme of family and connection in all of his hobbies and interests. Mr. Jackson talks about the similarities between coaching and counseling and his ...
Mar 08, 2023•39 min•Ep. 60
Mx. Wheeler is a teacher at GOC. She's also a into writing poetry, gaming, and cross stitch. Mx. Wheeler sits down with Mr. Lollis to discuss her creative expression through writing poetry. She shares how she got started, her process, why she enjoys writing poetry, and how poetry is a expressive, creative, and artistic way to explore, understand, and share thoughts and experiences - a way to connect. Mx. Wheeler also discusses spoken word, gaming, and her recent foray into cross stitch. If you h...
Mar 07, 2023•39 min•Ep. 59
