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Blue Jackets, Big Dreams: One Senior’s Life-Changing Trip to Indianapolis
Tilly Anderson had never been to Indianapolis before. She'd never experienced anything quite like walking into the FFA National Convention and seeing thousands of blue FFA jackets filling the massive space. "It was like this overwhelming feeling of brotherhood and love," said the Madison County High School senior. "I always hear about these experiences, and…
Taking Flight: HireSmart Grant Helps Cedar Shoals JROTC Students Build Discipline and Drone Skills
Cedar Shoals High School JROTC instructors see the success stories. There’s Zachary Van Hessen, who entered high school out of shape, but joined the Raider team and transformed himself into a fit athlete, earning a full scholarship to West Point. There’s Logan Rounsaville who worked full-time while attending school, living in an apartment with no…
Grant Helps East Jackson STEM Students Engineer Sustainability Solutions
Students in East Jackson High School’s sustainability program, part of the school’s broader STEM initiative, are tackling real environmental challenges. They are designing composting systems, analyzing air quality, and experimenting with solar energy to understand how sustainable solutions take shape in the real world. With the help of a $1,849 grant from HireSmart Cares, the…
From Crayons to Career Paths: Madison County Students Learn What Work Means
The Ila Elementary School second graders wear capes, wave wands, hold action figures, speak of superpowers and talk of favorite animals. They laugh and are eager to speak up as Melissa Yarbrough blends these topics with another big idea: jobs. Madison County's work-based learning coordinator, "Mrs. Y" as many call her, has launched "Building Blocks…
Auto-Darkening Helmets Transform Student Welding Experience
HireSmart Cares Grant Equips Madison County Welding Program with Industry-Standard Equipment Madison County high school welding students are experiencing a significant improvement in their learning environment this year, thanks to a HireSmart Cares grant that brought professional-grade equipment into the classroom. The nonprofit awarded funds to purchase 36 Lincoln Electric Viking 1740 auto-darkening welding helmets…
Professional Workbenches Transform Learning Environment for Madison County Trades Students
Josh Daniel's ag mechanics shop doesn't have a classroom feel. It's a work environment where kids hammer and saw and learn hands-on skills that will help them find trades careers — or just be more handy around the house. And now, even Daniel's separate teaching room at the Broad River College and Career Academy in…
Real Bodies, Real Skills: HireSmart Grant Opened Doors to Hands-On Healthcare Training
When Catie Lees’ Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) students stepped into the Georgia Emergency Medical Services Association’s Cadaver Lab, they weren’t just observing healthcare; they were practicing it on real human bodies. Thanks to a $600 grant from HireSmart Cares, students at Jackson County’s Empower College & Career Center received hands-on emergency medicine training that mirrored…