On September 21, Walker County Superintendent Melissa Mathis with representatives from both LaFayette High and Ridgeland attended the Georgia Appalachian Center Grants for Higher Education Awards ceremony at North Georgia College and State University.

The Georgia Appalachian Center for Higher Education (GACHE) awards competitive grants to eligible high schools to increase student awareness and opportunities to pursue postsecondary education.  This year, GACHE awarded over $72,000 to ten area high schools.

Among other efforts to improve the high school graduation rate and increase the number of graduates continuing with postsecondary diplomas and degrees, these schools will implement individualized programs designed to assist and encourage their students to finish high school and attend college or vocational school.

"We are excited that so many school principals, faculties and staff were willing to step up to the challenge of ensuring that their students graduate ready for college with real postsecondary choices," said Shirley Davis, GACHE Director.  "The economic consequences of leaving high school without a diploma are severe," she continued, "We want every student to have college as a viable option."

LaFayette High began utilizing the GACHE grant last year, according to LHS Graduation Coach Donna James.  They painted murals of favorite colleges and vocational school choices on walls in hallways that students pass daily in addition to hosting college campus visits and speakers from postsecondary institutions, intensifying guidance counseling and increasing the availability of pertinent information, she said.

With its first grant award, Ridgeland will construct a college wall for school banners, scholarship information, and college and postsecondary school brochures, said RHS Graduation Coach Jason McKinney.  He also plans multiple visits to area postsecondary schools and colleges, a newsletter devoted to GACHE and college information for students and parents, a comprehensive ACT Study Seminar to increase test scores, college application and fee assistance, and a college tracking system through the National Student Clearinghouse, he said.

"Increasing our graduation rate is the mission of Walker County Schools K-12," said Superintendent Melissa Mathis.  "Participating with GACHE to encourage students to graduate and continue with postsecondary education is another effective method for achieving our goal," she said.

The Georgia Appalachian Center for Higher Education is housed on the campus of North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU) and is funded by both NGCSU and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).  Presidents of twenty-one area colleges, universities, and technical colleges comprise GACHE's Advisory Board.Superintendent Melissa Mathis, Guidance Counselor Sara Ange and Graduation Coach Donna James (center) accept a $9,000 grant check from ARC Program Manager James Thompson, GACHE Directory Shirley Davis (left), Bob Michael, Dean of the NGCSU School of Education, and Mike Beatty, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (right) for LaFayette High.

For Ridgeland, Graduation Coach Jason McKinney, Superintendent Melissa Mathis and Principal Robert Smith (center) accept a $7,000 check from ARC Program Manager James Thompson, GACHE Directory Shirley Davis (left), Bob Michael, Dean of the NGCSU School of Education, and Mike Beatty, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (right).