A rose to Garrett Torbert, who earlier this month announced he will be resigning from his position as a voice instructor at Mississippi State after 5 ½ years to devote his full attention to his role as founder and director of the Golden Triangle Theatre. Torbert established the GTT in June 2021 to provide a place for area students to discover theater in all its forms. In just three years, Torbert has grown the children’s portion of the organization from 15 kids to a program of 131 that encompasses programs in theater, music and dance for child and adult performers alike. In the first year alone, more than 873 adults and children took the stage, many for the first time. This fall, the GTT has expanded into the Columbus schools with a “All For One” outreach program designed to bring theater education directly to 4th and 5th graders at Fairview Elementary School each week. This season, GTT’s lineup includes five productions. MSU’s loss figures to the GTT’s gain. Given what Torbert has been able to achieve while splitting time between his duties as a voice instructor and developing the GTT, the future looks extremely bright for theater here in Columbus. The best is yet to come.
A rose to Columbus native Chase McGill who, along with Zach Bryan, was named Songwriter of the Year at the 2024 BMI Country Awards Tuesday evening. McGill’s award came following a year in which he co-wrote no fewer than six songs to make the Country Music charts, including Morgan Wallen’s “Ain’t That Some,” Luke Bryan’s “But I Got a Beer in My Hand,” Conner Smith’s “Creek Will Rise,” Russell Dickerson’s “God Gave Me a Girl,” Jordan Davis’ “Next Thing You Know” and Thomas Rhett’s “Mamaw’s House.” McGill, son of Rick and Edna McGill, has been one of the top songwriters in Nashville since signing his first writing contract with Universal Music in 2012, earning numerous Grammy and CMA nominations. We take great vicarious pleasure when “one of our own,” achieves success on such a grand scale. Well-done, Chase!
A rose to the Columbus Veterans of Foreign Wars for its efforts in support of a promising young marksman. Tuesday, the VFG presented Mathiston native Josie Carr with a check for $5,000 toward a custom competition air rifle that she will use to enter the qualification process for the junior Olympics in Colorado next year. Carr, 18, has participated in shooting competitions with 4-H since she was a child, and first began shooting when she was 12. She has competed across multiple events in the Civil Marksmanship Program, National Rifle Association, International Shooting Sport Federation and USA Shooting and hopes to continue shooting at a collegiate level and attain a scholarship to compete in Division I. Her goal is to join the all-female shooting team at Ole Miss. Carr also wants to compete in the Junior Olympics in Colorado, where college scouts and international team scouts will be observing the best competitive shooters in the nation. None of this would be possible without the expensive precision weapon required when competitions are measured by millimeters. Thanks to the generosity of the VFW, Carr will go as far as her talent and determination will take her rather than only as far as her finances would have permitted. Congratulations to Carr and a big thank you to Columbus VFW.
A rose to the Columbus Exchange Club which reached a prominent milestone this week. The Columbus chapter of the national civic organization was founded on Nov. 19, 1924. The club celebrated its 100th anniversary at this week’s luncheon at Lion Hills Center. For a century, the collection of Columbus citizens has been a force for good in our community in a variety of ways – from inviting local candidates for public office to forums to supporting a variety of local charities the group’s fund-raisers, including the popular Cheese sale. Funds raised by the club have previously gone toward the local Boys and Girls Club, Camp Rising Sun, Columbus Arts Council, Main Street Columbus, Hitching Lot Farmers Market, Lowndes County Imagination Library and others. The Exchange Club of Columbus also holds annual recognitions for first responders, along with giving out its annual “Book of Golden Deeds” award to one person who is doing good in the community who may otherwise go unrecognized. We congratulate the Columbus Exchange Club on this important milestone that represents a century of service to the community.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
