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.

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!

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

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

SECCA is proud to partner with Robin Builders. Robin Builders manufactures quality storage buildings, greenhouses, screen rooms, and playhouses. Owners Wayne Hartley and Chris Hartley will be partnering with SECCA to provide part-time employment opportunities for students. Pictured are Don Betts, SECCA board member, David Avery, SECCA Principal, Wayne Hartley, Shelly Smith, SECCA CEO, and Chris Hartley.

GPP Regional Coordinators Devaki Gordan and Marvin Stafford met with Donna Collins, SECCA Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and visited local businesses in Toombs County. The purpose of the visits was to share information about WBL and the mission of GPP.

Chuck Easley, Program Manager/Instructor for the Georgia Tech Supply Chain And Logistics Institute, visited SECCA and made a presentation to business leaders and school personnel. Georgia Tech is offering a pilot program in online learning for high school students who want to study logistics.

SECCA Board of Directors participate in board training throughout the year. Pictured on front row: Henry Price, Don Betts, Superintendent of Montgomery County Schools Hugh Kight, Superintendent of Treutlen County Schools Dr. Bradley Anderson, Superintendent of Toombs County Schools Barry Waller, and SECCA CEO Shelly Smith. Back row: STC President Larry Calhoun, Fred Godbee, Superintendent of Vidalia City Schools Dr. Garrett Wilcox, Allen Rice, Tommy Smith, and SECCA Principal David Avery.

Georgia Future Educators Signing Day was held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at Montgomery County High School for Zachary Barrow who has completed Southeastern Early College and Career Academy’s Teaching as a Profession Pathway (TAP). Zachary also passed the TAP End of Pathway Assessment (EOPA). Zachary has been accepted to Georgia Southern University and will major in education. By completing the pathway and passing the EOPA, Zachary will receive college credit for his first education course at Georgia Southern.
This endeavor is supported by the State School Superintendent’s Office, Division of Career and Technical Education (CTAE), Georgia Early Childhood Education Foundation (GECEF), and Georgia’s colleges and universities.
On hand to witness the signing of Zachary’s letter of commitment were his parents, Dr. Scott and Melissa Barrow, Superintendent Hugh Kight, Montgomery County High School School Counselor Malinda Meadows, SECCA’s Teaching as a Profession Instructor, Sabrina Campbell, and Montgomery County Middle School Mentor Classroom Teacher Lee Burkett.

Cosmetology students in Mrs. Amelia Moore's class have completed and passed their end of pathway assessment in Cosmetology or Nail Care. The pathway assessment is a subject-specific exam that provides a path to other professional certifications and paves the way for our future workforce. Students who complete and pass three courses in cosmetology or nail care are eligible to take the exam.

Pictured left to right are: Mariah Campbell- VHS; Logan Simpkins- VHS; Aariana Watson-VHS; Shaynia Vann-VHS; Destiny Hayes-VHS; Marybeth Maddox-VHS; Liyzza Minor-VHS; Destiny Yeomans-TCHS; Seated Ny'Asia Wilson-VHS; Not pictured: Megan White and Evelyn Moran

SECCA’s Work-Based Learning Program hosted the Business Partner Recognition Ceremony on May 2nd at STC. The WBL students, under the direction of Coordinator Donna Collins, led the ceremony. Those participating included Ethan Morrison, Christopher Phillips, Dusty Meeks, Logan Disher, Kayijeah Victoria, Jordan Griffin, Shamericus Clemons, Kei’veyon Demery, and Abigail Allmond. WBL students, their bosses, and parents attended the ceremony. SECCA would like to thank all of the business partners who employ our students.

The 2019 Thunderbolts JROTC Awards and Change of Command Ceremony was held at Southeastern Technical College on May 1st. Certificates were given for LET Service, Raider Team, Drill Team, Physical Fitness, Academic Success, Distinguished Cadet, Most Improved, SAI Leadership, and Superior Cadet. Principal and National Awards were also given. LTC Sydney Edge and CSM Eric Outler are the outgoing officers. Incoming officers are LTC Chayton Tippett and CSM Tytenna Johnson. Congratulations to all of the cadets, Captain Ware, and Sgt. Jones!

Toombs County High School senior Dilan Flowers was given the Award of Excellence at the Georgia Department of Education on May 1st. The GADOE recognizes high school seniors with disabilities who have had outstanding academic, employment, and/or extracurricular accomplishments.
One outstanding senior from each congressional district was invited to attend an awards ceremony in Atlanta. Dilan is enrolled in the work-study program at SECCA. He was nominated by his CTI Coordinator, Sabrina Campbell, and received a certificate of excellence presented by Mr. Richard Woods, Georgia’s Superintendent of Schools.