Rick Jackson, candidate for Georgia governor, visited Greene College & Career Academy in August. The purpose was twofold – tour the facility and learn more about the one-of-a-kind career coaching program that was a key factor in GCCA becoming last year’s number-one College & Career Academy in the state.
Mariana Soca-Harrison escortedJackson and many attendees on a tour of three pathway classes: Culinary, Audio/Visual and Healthcare. Jackson had great interaction with the students including recognizing culinary students for the treats they prepared, observing a student film being created in the A/V classroom and giving some insight to the Healthcare students.
Jackson’s main business is in healthcare, so he complimented the students on trying the healthcare pathway during high school to see if it is really what they want to pursue.He let them know that if it is their preference, it will be in a career path recognized around the world as the most appreciated profession and is at no risk of going away.
Following the tour, Dave Thillen presented the highlights of the career coaching program that is now in its ninth year, involving over 300 volunteer coaches working directly with over 1,000 Greene County High School students. Most GCHS students (exceeding 75%) participate in the program that is dramatically increasing parental engagement and has awarded more than $1 million in financial assistance to graduating seniors over the past five years.
Jackson learned during the presentation that students earn their financial assistance during their four years of high school in the form of “Dave Dollars” that become real dollars at graduation. A fun conclusion to the day took place when Thillen presented Jackson with $100 Dave Dollars.
As a follow up, a two-minute video was posted to the Greene College & Career Academy Facebook Page and the Thillen Education Foundation Facebook Page highlighting Jackson’s visit. It also can be viewed through the QR code above.
— Contributed