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.

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

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.

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.

Due to the increase of technology, Tom Meredith and Riley McDonald of Meredith Industries is looking for more skilled workers. They hosted a recent tour of the manufacturing plant to broaden the students’ knowledge of the manufacturing arena. Potential work-based learning students of Mrs. Donna Collins of SECCA will have opportunities to interview for jobs as machine operators, graphic designers, and mechanics. According to Mrs. Collins, “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students. It is manufacturers like Meredith Industries that allow our students to get a first-hand look at opportunities available in our community and hopefully become gainfully employed.”

Pictured are:
Heli Patel, Reagan McDonald, Drake Schnelle, Riley McDonald, Kayla Horne, Jaheim Robinson, Tom Meredith, Emmanuel Hampton, Kaylie Gunter, Shamiya Beauchamp, Dalton Schnelle, Princess Knowles, and India Snell.

Students from Montgomery County High School, Treutlen High School, and Toombs County High School toured the Bodies exhibit in Atlanta on April 9th. Dr. Kip Hart’s Essentials of Healthcare class traveled to Atlanta for the experience. The students were able to see actual specimens of the human anatomy that are central to the healthcare class standards and topics this semester. Within the context of medical careers, the students enhanced their understanding of the complexity of human body systems. Students will benefit from this experience as Dr. Hart will continue to develop their understanding of healthcare and its many career paths.

Front row: Katelyn Herndon (Treutlen), Layla Brantley (Montgomery), Johannah Smith (Treutlen)
Middle Row: Lily Saldana (Toombs), Ceairra Conner (Montgomery), Leslie Venegas (Toombs), Yasmin Salgado (Toombs), Kaylee Phillips (Treutlen), Meagan Hamm (Toombs), Moshay Walker (Montgomery), Pearl Scott (Montgomery), Claudia Piedra (Toombs)
Back Row: Sha’Erica Brown (Toombs), Bailee Jarriel (Toombs), Karrie Williams (Toombs), Zachary Hayes (Treutlen)

Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA) received a $2000.00 donation from Georgia Power for SECCA’s new Energy Pathway. The pathway will be offered in the 2019-2020 school year and offers students the skills necessary for employment and success in the energy industry. The Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Pathway prepares individuals for careers in the designing, planning, maintaining, generating, transmission, and distribution of traditional and alternative energy. “With the monetary help and support of Georgia Power, the Energy Pathway will become a reality,” said David Avery, Director of High School Programs. The donation will be used to purchase equipment, supplies, and other items needed for the program.

Pictured left to right: Greg Hudgins, Manager at Georgia Power, and David Avery, Director of High School Programs at SECCA.

Southeastern Early College and Career Academy Automotive Instructor, Betsy Avellaneda, and WBL Coordinator, Donna Collins, attended the Skills USA Career Expo on Thursday, March 21. In coordination with the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia, known as CEFGA, students were able to link directly to professionals in the areas of construction, utility contracting, highway contracting, electrical contracting, mechanical contracting, automotive, energy, mining and more. Mrs. Avellaneda participated in several of the hands-on activities. She stated, "Skills USA is a great opportunity for students to gain extra hands-on experience and exposure to career opportunities and I look forward to starting a chapter at SECCA." If you are interested in joining Skills USA, please see Mrs. Avellaneda in the automotive department at SECCA.

Pictured welding is Betsy Avellaneda.

The Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Education have developed a rigorous new certification process for accrediting Georgia career academies. A team of eight leaders from across the state spent three days at Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA) on the Southeastern Technical College campus in Vidalia to apply the new criteria to the local school.

The team interviewed parents, students, teachers, administrators, business and industry partners, and community leaders. They also reviewed hundreds of documents to verify program rigor, quality, and impact on workforce development.

At the close of the review, the team presented an oral report to SECCA and school district leaders. The results, according to the team leader, are excellent, and the four local school systems, SECCA staff and board members, students, parents, business partners and the community as a whole were commended for their collaboration to meet the needs of students and employers. SECCA serves four local school systems: Montgomery County Schools, Toombs County Schools, Treutlen County Schools, and Vidalia City Schools.

According to Shelly Smith, SECCA CEO, “ Our school superintendents and school personnel work tirelessly to offer courses through our career academy that will provide students with the credentials and skills needed to make successful transitions to post-secondary education and, eventually, a career. We are proud of the partnership SECCA has with the four school systems.”

Pictured left to right: Dr. Garrett Wilcox, Vidalia City Schools Superintendent; Mr. Hugh Kight, Montgomery County Schools Superintendent; Mr. Barry Waller, Toombs County Schools Superintendent; and Dr. Bradley Anderson, Treutlen County Schools Superintendent.

In December, employees from Southern Nuclear and Southern Company participated in SECCA's Lunch and Learn. SECCA personnel gave a tour of the career academy and made a presentation about the new energy pathway that will start in the 2019-2020 school year. Those participating were left to right in front row: Shelly Smith, SECCA CEO; Cory Foskey, Southern Nuclear Engineer/Preventive Maintenance Coordinator; Billy Ring, Engineer/EFIN Team; Tyler Edenfield, Engineer/EFIN Team; Joey Jordan, Engineer/EFIN Team; Brian Jackson, Engineer/Project Manager; and David Avery, Director of High School Programs at SECCA. Back Row: Greg Hudgins, Manager, Southern Company.

Parent night was held on December 13th for parents to learn more about the YouScience assessment. Teachers discussed results with parents and students.
YouScience provides users with a detailed description of each career including the types of people who do well in the field and their daily job activities. Career profiles outline current and expected job demand as well as the educational and credential requirements of each field. Pictured are JROTC instructor Leona Brooks, her student, Cadet Prado, and Prado's parents.

SECCA is providing better technology to give their students more personalized results. In the fall semester, SECCA administered the YouScience assessment to all of their students. The YouScience assessment gives impactful guidance to get focused on where the students want to be. YouScience combines aptitudes, interests, and 21st century careers to make the highest quality career and educational recommendations. Students in Betsy Avellaneda’s Automotive Program are shown taken the assessment.

The College and Career Readiness Mini Fair was held recently for all students enrolled in SECCA courses. Representatives from colleges and agencies were on hand to discuss college information and career options. Southeastern Technical College, Brewton Parker College, East Georgia College, Georgia Department of Labor, and Job Training Unlimited were a few of the agencies/colleges participating.

On Thursday, October 25, members of the Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA) Board of Directors held a luncheon meeting with Dr. Lynn Plunkett who will lead the academy staff and board through the accreditation process between now and January 2019. Dr. Plunkett explained the evaluation criteria and documentation required for meeting State standards. A team will be on-site January 14-16 to conduct the assessment for accreditation, and members of the team will come from the Technical College System of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Education, the Charter Schools Division, and other career academies across the state.

Pictured are back row, left to right: Dr. Tim Smith, former Vidalia superintendent; Hugh Kight, Montgomery County Superintendent; Henry Price, SECCA Board Chair and member of the Montgomery County Board of Education; David Avery, SECCA High School Director; Dr. Garrett Wilcox, Superintendent Vidalia City Schools; Dr. Brad Anderson, Superintendent Treutlen County Schools; Fred Godbee, SECCA Board member; Don Betts, SECCA Board member.
Front row: Shelly Smith, SECCA CEO; Dr. Lynn Plunkett, Georgia Department of Education.

On Thursday, September 27, students from Toombs County High School, Treutlen High School, and Vidalia High School visited Georgia Southern University for Future Georgia Educators (FGE) Day hosted at the Nessmith Lane Conference Center on the Statesboro Campus.

During the event, students were provided with various opportunities to learn about the teaching profession. Georgia Southern College of Education faculty and students presented workshop sessions on topics such as assistive technology for special education, school counseling, math education, language and cultural diversity in the classroom, and various teaching technologies that enhance classroom learning.

FGE Day is an initiative that is coordinated by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) in conjunction with colleges of education in Georgia institutions to provide professional learning, networking and college visitation for students who are considering teaching as a profession.

The Thunderbolts JROTC Regiment, which consists of students from Vidalia High School, Montgomery County High School, Toombs County High School, and Treutlen High School, hosted a Raider competition on September 8, 2018. The event had 22 teams representing 11 different high schools.

The Raider Competition consists of the following five events: three mile run, Cross Country Rescue Course (CCR), one Rope Bridge, tire flip and fitness challenge. All teams must complete all five events. The Thunderbolt Raider Team A placed second in the mixed category, and Team B placed 6th.

Mixed Category:
1st place- Bryan County JROTC, Pembroke, GA
2nd place - Thunderbolts JROTC, Vidalia, GA
3rd place - Statesboro JROTC, Statesboro, GA

At the Lt. Governor's 11th Annual Business and Education Summit, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle announced that Brooke Morris of Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA) was the winner of the Lt. Governor's 2018 Student Leadership Award. The award is presented to one exceptional College and Career Academy student for outstanding accomplishments. Georgia's College and Career Academies (CCAs) offer students endless opportunities to further their careers and educational pursuits. The students selected as nominees for this prestigious award represent highly-motivated individuals who are actively engaged in their communities. Attending the event on August 27th in Albany, Georgia with her parents and former TAP teacher, Sabrina Campbell, Brooke accepted the award. She completed the Teaching as a Profession Pathway (TAP) through SECCA and is continuing her education at the University of Georgia.

Pictured left to right: Melinda Morris, Rodney Morris, Brooke Morris, Sabrina Campbell, and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle

During the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education Summer Conference, DOT Foods of Vidalia received the 2018 Business Partner of the Year Award for the Southeast Region. The conference was held in July, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. Mr. Robert Hadden, Operations Manager at DOT Foods, was presented the award along with Mr. Eric McDonald, Vidalia High School CTAE Director, Donna Collins, Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Vidalia High School, and Peggy Snow, Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Toombs County High School. Mr. Hadden plans to continue providing high school students with on the job training and future career opportunities at DOT Foods. Tim Truxel, DOT Foods Plant Manager, has spearheaded the partnership for three years and is very supportive of the program. Mrs. Collins stated, “It is partnerships like the one between the school systems and DOT Foods that allow our students the opportunity to learn work-ready skills while still in high school. I cannot say enough good things about DOT Foods.” Mr. McDonald expressed the importance of WBL and encourages other local businesses to become partners in the program.