by John Dills and Emma Marti
-
Vice President of Habersham Broadcasting Company Clayton Foster shakes hands with a student before they discuss what Foster does in his position. Students at the College and Career Day were met with a variety of colleges and companies in nearby areas to discover opportunities for post high school life. EMMA MARTI/Staff -
Jeffrey Parker with Habersham Fire & EMS greets students at the beginning of the College and Career Day Wednesday. During the event, students at the Ninth Grade Academy were given BINGO sheets with various questions to ask the organizations and colleges to further their knowledge on the groups. EMMA MARTI/Staff -
Jon Williams of Fieldale Farms discussing with students the role of Fieldale in the community, as well as what the group can offer potential employees. EMMA MARTI/Staff -
Many organizations and colleges brought free goodies to hand out to the students, and Habersham Metal Products is no different. Heather Thieme and Collin Miller handed out candy, Koozies and water for students to remember their organization. EMMA MARTI/Staff
Habersham County’s Ninth Grade Academy hosted College and Career Day in conjunction with Partnership Habersham on Wednesday afternoon. The event brought ninth graders to local businesses to further educate those students on potential jobs and career paths within the local community.
Charlie Fiveash, Executive Director of Partnership Habersham, said, “It’s important to note that we put the event together in 2020, and the day before the event is when the world shut down, and the pandemic hit. It was unsafe, so we were unable to host that event. We came back strong these last three years. Two, in particular, were very successful with students and businesses … This is a signature event for the Ninth Grade Academy and Partnership Habersham. There was a lot of energy there in the room.”
According to Fiveash, between 50 and 60 businesses were in attendance.
The Habersham Ninth Grade Academy has almost 600 students, all of which participated in the event Wednesday. Before the event, students took a career assessment test and were given a “bingo card” with questions based on their results. In addition to community business members, Ninth Grade Academy faculty and staff also made an appearance, getting the same experience as their students.
According to HNGA Principal David Leenman, “We invite businesses based on the results for our students. When each student receives their potential career options, we attempt to make sure each student has at least one business that matches their results.”
For some students, they dream of going far from their hometown post-graduation, this event seeks to make sure the students know of their options located right in their hometown of Habersham.
“Every student I spoke with did not know that you can have an at-home business set up in Habersham County and get paid to move yachts in the Caribbean! Getting to speak with local professionals, many of whom walked these same halls in high school, shows our current students what goals are attainable with hard work and perseverance,” Leenman said.
After all was said and done, Leenman spoke of the success of the event.
“I could not be more proud of my students and the community in which I live. My students have learned how to look an adult in the eyes with a firm handshake, use appropriate manners when speaking to an adult and dress professionally. I truly believe this event helped my students to begin to narrow their career choices to a few options, and now they know tangible steps to take in order to reach their goals,” Leenman said.