Gatewood School

New Gatewood Head of School Jon Fadely takes a turn behind the wheel of the Gators’ football-themed golf cart, a fitting ride for the avid golfer who lives with his wife at Reynolds in Greene County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

New Gatewood Head of School Jon Fadely takes a turn behind the wheel of the Gators’ football-themed golf cart, a fitting ride for the avid golfer who lives with his wife at Reynolds in Greene County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gatewood’s new leader makes purpose his priority

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Growing up in Maryland, Jon Fadely, 55, said he spent a lot of his youth in St. Michaels on Chesapeake Bay, “just doing a lot of fishing and crabbing and having a lot of great experiences living in a rural area.
Gatewood players pose with their fourth consecutive state championship trophy last Friday in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood players pose with their fourth consecutive state championship trophy last Friday in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

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Gatewood athletics succeeds in 2025-26 campaign

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Gatewood School’s athletic programs continued their tradition of excellence during the 2025-26 school year, producing state championships, deep postseason runs, and strong finishes across multiple sports.“I thought we had a really good year athletically,” Gatewood Athletic Director Troy Burner said.
Gatewood’s Jeff Decker stands beside a large aerial photograph of the school’s 30-acre complex, much of which he had a hand in helping to develop over his nearly 13 years in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood’s Jeff Decker stands beside a large aerial photograph of the school’s 30-acre complex, much of which he had a hand in helping to develop over his nearly 13 years in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gatewood’s Decker prepares for retirement

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Jeff Decker never planned to become head of school at Gatewood in Eatonton.In fact, because he was more comfortable on the sidelines of a football field, Decker said he never intended to lead from the front office of any school.
Homecoming Queen Presley Elizabeth Moss with her father Jay Moss. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Homecoming Queen Presley Elizabeth Moss with her father Jay Moss. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Photos: Gatewood 2025 Homecoming Court

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Gatewood recently held its annual Homecoming Week, culminating in a football game against Augusta Prep last Friday. At halftime of the game, those nominated for Homecoming Queen were escorted to midfield by their guests. Presley Elizabeth Moss was named to 2025 Homecoming Queen.
Gatewood music and drama teacher Beth Mappes (standing, second from left) led a sizable crew and cast in presenting the classic “Wizard of Oz” to sold-out crowds last week at the Eatonton-based school. CONTRIBUTED

Gatewood music and drama teacher Beth Mappes (standing, second from left) led a sizable crew and cast in presenting the classic “Wizard of Oz” to sold-out crowds last week at the Eatonton-based school. CONTRIBUTED

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Gatewood presents ‘Wizard of Oz’ to appreciative audience

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
With a cast of nearly 50, the Gatewood Players presented “The Wizard of Oz” last week as the inaugural production on Gatewood’s new stage in the auditorium that doubles as the lunchroom on school days.
Gatewood wrestler and football team member Blake Daniel was escorted by his parents Lorraine and Roger, with K-5 buddy Averly Smith. Blake plans to attend Emmanuel College to earn a degree in business management. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood wrestler and football team member Blake Daniel was escorted by his parents Lorraine and Roger, with K-5 buddy Averly Smith. Blake plans to attend Emmanuel College to earn a degree in business management. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Photos: Gatewood honors senior fall athletes

Ian Tocher
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Gatewood’s senior athletes from fall sports, including the basketball, shotgun, and wrestling teams, were recognized alongside parents and K-5 buddies from the Gatewood grade school on Jan. 24 between the girls’ and boys’ basketball games that night.
Seven Gatewood shooters made the All-State list, including Lawrey Benner, Carson Courchaine, Blake Daniel, Bryson Elwer, Carson Fried, Carson Lingle, and Wyatt Wojtas. CONTRIBUTED

Seven Gatewood shooters made the All-State list, including Lawrey Benner, Carson Courchaine, Blake Daniel, Bryson Elwer, Carson Fried, Carson Lingle, and Wyatt Wojtas. CONTRIBUTED

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Gatewood wins 9th state shotgun title

Staff Reports
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Led by Carson Lingle and Bryson Elwer, who finished first and second overall, the Gatewood Varsity Shotgun Team secured its ninth GIAA AA state championship in the past 11 years this past weekend at the Forest City Gun Club in Savannah.
Gatewood’s Colton Cheek fires during the skeet portion of the event on Saturday at Old Hudson Plantation in Sparta. CONTRIBUTED

Gatewood’s Colton Cheek fires during the skeet portion of the event on Saturday at Old Hudson Plantation in Sparta. CONTRIBUTED

Lingle leads Gatewood shooters to victory

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Gatewood’s Carson Lingle shot a rare, perfect 150 to lead the Gators’ varsity shotgun team to victory Saturday over five visiting school teams at Old Hudson Plantation.
Head of Gatewood Schools Jeff Decker (center with bow) made the cut to officially open Gatewood’s new high school, though the building has been in use since school resumed early last month. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Head of Gatewood Schools Jeff Decker (center with bow) made the cut to officially open Gatewood’s new high school, though the building has been in use since school resumed early last month. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Gatewood officially opens new high school building

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Though it’s been in use since school resumed Aug. 12, Gatewood Schools hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Friday night to officially open its new high school building.
Eatonton’s Vincent Hancock competes at the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. FILE PHOTO

Eatonton’s Vincent Hancock competes at the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. FILE PHOTO

Gatewood alum chasing history at Paris Olympics

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Gatewood alum Vincent Hancock will compete in the men’s skeet shooting competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics.Hancock is a three-time gold medalist, claiming victories in Beijing (2008), London (2012), and Tokyo (2021).
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