A veteran educator has been named the drone instructor for Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA). Amy Gillies, a Vidalia City Schools teacher for the last fourteen years, will be taking over the drone program in August. Mrs. Gillies brings a wealth of knowledge from the public-school setting and aerospace industry. She holds an education specialist degree in teacher leadership from Valdosta State University and is FAA Remote Pilot sUAS certified.

McDonald's of Vidalia has been selected as a SECCA Business Partner. McDonald's has been one of the longest, dedicated business partners with the SECCA Work-Based Learning Program (WBL). They have been successfully employing and mentoring high school WBL students for many years.

Vidalia 10-Minute Lube is a part-time employer for SECCA Work-Based Learning (WBL) students. Owners Vince and Charlotte Meadows and their mechanics offer students hands-on opportunities to learn about automobile service.

Dennard Drugs of Soperton has been selected as a SECCA Business Partner! Dennard Drugs is a major supporter of our Treutlen High School Work-Based Learning Program. Mr. Dennard and his staff serve as strong, professional role models for Viking students enrolled in WBL. Dennard Drugs offers students valuable work opportunities and experiences that will better prepare them for their future. Pictured: Mr. Richard Dennard and Logan Powell

Students in the Energy Pathway at Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA) now have a transformer for closer study thanks to the recent donation of local Georgia Power and manager Greg Hudgins. The transformer includes a cutaway window to study the interior structure. Students are transitioning from the study of electrical generation to transmission and distribution. Pictured are students from Toombs County High School and Vidalia High School, and Georgia Power Employees. Left to right: Mason Moxley (VHS), RIken Patel (VHS), Chad Rogers (GPC), Scott Branch (GPC), Eli Bridges (TCHS), and Cristina Tinoco (TCHS)

Twenty representatives of local manufacturing and logistics companies along with Toombs-Montgomery Chamber executives met recently at Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA) to launch a new program, Make It - Move It, a high school pathway on designing and shipping goods. By partnering with local businesses, SECCA can provide work-ready graduates who will be motivated team members in local industries. SECCA Board of Directors initiated the program and is working with Shelly Smith, SECCA CEO, and SECCA staff to make it happen.

Pictured: SECCA Board Member Don Betts and SECCA CEO Shelly Smith

Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan celebrated College and Career Academies across Georgia by hosting the 12th Annual Business and Education Summit. The event was held on December 9th at Lanier Technical College in Gainesville. Surrounded by educators, students, and business leaders, Duncan congratulated the award winners and recognized the significant impact College and Career Academies are having throughout Georgia. During the Summit, Lt. Governor Duncan made a presentation for College and Career Academy Approved Certification for Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA). Sabrina Campbell accepted the award on behalf of SECCA.

SECCA's Energy Program recently supported an event hosted by Southern Nuclear and Georgia Power to expose area girls to careers in energy. Students from are high schools traveled to Plant Hatch to learn more about 'Women in STEM' and career opportunities in the energy industry. The group heard from energy industry female professionals, participated in activities on electricity, toured the plant site, and enjoyed lunch.

Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA) has selected Harry Moses Construction as the November Business Partner of the Month. Deanna Glisson, a senior at Vidalia High School, has been employed with HMC for two and a half years while enrolled in the Work-Based Learning Program. Deanna has learned valuable work ethics as well as forming long-lasting relationships with her mentors, Mrs. Elaine Deloach and Mr. Carol Williams.

Former Navy Seal, Fred Godbee, was the guest speaker at the annual Veteran’s Day Luncheon sponsored by the Downtown Vidalia Association. Fred serves on our SECCA Board of Directors. Awesome job!

The JROTC Thunderbolts participated in the Downtown Vidalia Association Veteran’s Day Program on November 11th.

Welcome to our new board member, Chris Hartley. Chris works in the family business, Robin Builders. We appreciate you!

Michelle Johnson and Debbie Evans are two of our newest board members. Both work at the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce. We appreciate you!

Meet our newest board member, Kelly Tippett. She is our parent representative from Vidalia High School and is the mother of Chayton Tippett, the JROTC Regimental Commander Cadet. She is an employee of Southeastern Technical College. We appreciate you!

Two students from SECCA’s Energy Pathway participated in a job-shadowing day with a Georgia Power line crew. Austin Beck and Breyson Gladden, Treutlen County High School students, expressed strong interests in working with electrical distribution systems. The students spent the entire day with Georgia Power and experienced a safety briefing, job briefings, and a day out with the crew. The job-shadow experience gave them a greater insight into industry careers and a typical day in the energy workforce.

Greg Hudgins, local manager for Georgia Power, coordinated with Dr. Hart’s Energy Pathway students to bring a day of learning from line workers. Casey Woods and Heidi Wease are line crew employees with Georgia Power. They provided students with experiences and information related to their line worker careers, safety issues, and employability. The students were actively engaged in asking questions to better understand the importance and challenges of line work and the benefits of a career in the energy industry with Georgia Power. Pictured are Austin Beck from Treutlen High School and Heidi Wease, line worker.

SECCA’s Thunderbolt regiment held an area Raider competition on the campus of the Southeastern Early College and Career Academy. The event was held on Saturday, September 28th, with nine teams from eight different area schools competed in the competition. The participants were Bryan County, Jenkins County, Metter, Southeast Bulloch, Statesboro, two teams from Ware County, and the local Thunderbolts. Statesboro won the overall competition and following closely behind was the local Thunderbolt regiment. Metter finished third, Bryan County fourth, and the Ware County A Team fifth.

Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA) is proud to recognize Chick-fil-A as the October 2019 Business Partner of the Month. Students from area schools have the opportunity to learn valuable work ethics in an environment they love. Mrs. Donna Collins, SECCA WBL Coordinator, states, "It is easy to recognize WBL students working at Chick-fil-A. From 'It's my pleasure' to 'How may I serve you?' students are learning valuable customer service skills needed in the workplace." SECCA is thankful to Chick-fil-A for their dedication to train a strong, productive workforce in our community!

Pictured left to right (front row): Marissa Brown, Senior Director; Hannah Sikes, WBL Student/Employee; Mindy Morrison, Senior Director
Pictured left to right (back row): Britt McDade, Owner/Operator; Ethan Wright, Carson Smith, Walker Wheeler, and Reagan McDonald, WBL Students/Employees

Altamaha EMC’s Operation Round Up program provides assistance to charitable organizations and agencies in the seven counties served by Altamaha EMC. SECCA received a $5,000 grant to help create an Energy Industry Pathway to prepare students for careers in the energy industry. Pictured L-R: George McLendon, Altamaha EMC Assistant Manager; Romanous Dotson, Altamaha EMC General Manager; Mack Griffin, Altamaha EMC Foundation Board Chairman; Kip Hart, SECCA Energy Pathways Instructor; David Avery, SECCA Director of High School Programs; and Tammye Vaughn, Altamaha EMC Foundation Coordinator.

The Toombs County Fire Department and SECCA Instructors organized a firefighter certification training program for the SECCA JROTC cadets. The Toombs County Fire Chief and Captain are teaching the course along with the JROTC instructors. The goal is to provide the cadets with training that is nationally recognized and can transfer into work with a fire department once they are graduated and turn 18 years of age.
Pictured left to right are Chief Johnny Moser, Captain Leon Hayes, and Lt. Jonas Blackwell.