By Denise Etheridge
White County High School’s welding program got a boost from a $67,500 grant this week.
Jennifer Wood, assistant principal and Director of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education, told the News Tuesday that WCHS faced stiff competition for the grant award.
“I spoke to someone at the Georgia DOE this morning and he told me that for the Top State for Talent Grant there were 248 submissions and over $20 million in requests, and White County was one of 17 schools that received the grant,” Wood said. “The state awarded $1.25 million in funds for the grant. I’m so proud of Mr. Adams’ welding program, and I’m so thankful we were able to apply for the grant.”
Mark Adams, a metals instructor, has been teaching welding at WCHS for 17 years. There are 141 students in the welding program this school year, according to Wood.
Aside from teaching, Adams co-owns a cabin rental business and a sub-contracting business. He is also a WCHS graduate.
“He provides students with the technical skills, industry knowledge and a strong work ethic to pursue a career in welding,” Wood said. “He continues to mentor former students well after they leave his program.”
“I am very fortunate to work with such a wonderful saff of people...Miss Collier my principal, Miss Woods my CTAE director and our School Superintendent Miss Burkett,” Adams said. “We understand that when an educator receives such a wonderful gift to enhance our students’ education we all win.”
The grant will allow the school to acquire state-of- the- art welding equipment and replace aging machines.
Investments in CTAE ensure students gain marketable skills and a competitive edge as they enter the workforce, according to Wood.