Georgia Highlands College recently hosted its annual President’s Scholars Day, an event designed to inspire high-achieving high school seniors and strengthen community engagement.
Chattooga High School is recognizing Abbigail Smith for an outstanding achievement after her award-winning welding sculpture was honored at the state level.
Abbigail, along with Superintendent Michelle Helie, CTAE Director Angie Culbert, and Welding Instructor and SkillsUSA Advisor Carter Woodall, attended the State Board of Education meeting on March 26, 2026, where her sculpture was showcased.
Smith earned the silver medal in Welding Sculpture at the SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference, an accomplishment that highlights her talent, creativity, and dedication to welding.
School leaders praised Abbigail’s success and also recognized the educators and administrators who continue to support student achievement and career-focused education at Chattooga High School.
Congratulations to Abbigail Smith on this impressive honor and statewide recognition.
Trion Middle School is calling on the community to help inspire the next generation.
School leaders are currently seeking volunteers to participate in Career Day on May 8th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Participants will have the opportunity to share insights about their careers and help students explore the many paths their futures can take.
Organizers say this is a great way to make a positive impact on local students by giving them real-world perspectives and encouragement.
Anyone interested in volunteering—or who knows someone who may be a good fit—is encouraged to reach out to Christy Brown at 706-734-7433 ext. 1203 or by email at christy.brown@trionschools.org.
Community involvement plays a key role in helping students succeed, and organizers say they would love to see strong local participation.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College has named Rihanna Davis of LaFayette as its 2026 Dual Enrollment Student of the Year.
Sixteen students graduated Wednesday, March 25, from Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker program during a ceremony held at GNTC’s Polk County Campus in Rockmart.
The Georgia Department of Education is modernizing its Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) structure, reducing the number of career clusters from 17 to 14 to better align with today’s workforce needs.
State leaders say the updated framework keeps all 152 state-approved pathways in place while improving connections between high school coursework, college programs, and in-demand careers across Georgia.
Among the key changes is a stronger focus on high-demand industries to help build a more prepared workforce. The state is also introducing the “Construction for Geometry” option starting in the 2025–2026 school year, allowing students to earn math credit through the Carpentry Pathway.
Officials say the updates are part of Georgia’s “Top State for Talent” initiative, aimed at ensuring students graduate ready for enrollment, employment, enlistment, or entrepreneurship.
Chattooga High School is recognizing senior Kasen Elsberry after he was named a recipient of the Dolores Hardison-Hayes Spirit Award.
School officials said Elsberry, who participates in the school’s Work-Based Learning program, was nominated by Work-Based Learning Coordinator Lisa Hughes for his dedication, strong work ethic, and commitment to success both inside and outside the classroom.
The Dolores Hardison-Hayes Spirit Award honors outstanding work-based learning students who reflect the mission of connecting students, schools, and businesses to help build a strong and skilled workforce. Kasen is one of only three students selected to receive the honor.
One of the three award recipients will ultimately be chosen to receive a $5,000 scholarship. Chattooga High School said it is proud of Elsberry’s accomplishment and wished him the best as the final scholarship announcement approaches.
State Rep. Eddie Lumsden of Armuchee says education remains the largest area of state spending in the Georgia House’s proposed FY 2027 budget, with major investments focused on early literacy, student screenings, pre-K expansion, and additional support for economically disadvantaged students.
Young entrepreneurs in Chattooga County are being recognized for their innovation and hard work through the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce’s FLEX program.