LocaL Happenings

Nursing From The Heart Breastfeeding Support Group

This group meets the third Tuesday of each month from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Villa Rica Library located at 869 Dallas Highway, Villa Rica, Ga.

These events are free to pregnant women and moms looking for breastfeeding support. Weight checks for your baby will be available at no cost. Come and share your breastfeeding journey with us. Please check our website for meeting and event updates at www.nursingfromtheheart.com.

Domestic Violence Support Group

There is Hope is a support group for women survivors who have dealt with, or are currently dealing with, domestic violence.

This is a private group where women survivors come together and share their personal stories of experience, strength and hope.

This group meets on the first Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at a private location. A ZOOM option is available.

There will be guidance for help and resources available as needed. At times there will also be guest speakers.

Contact hopefulone807@gmail.com for more information and to obtain the privacy contract with the physical address or ZOOM meeting ID and passcode.

Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Groups

Has your life been impacted by the loss of a friend or loved one to suicide? You are not alone. These groups offer peer support for anyone who has been affected by suicide loss.

There is no cost to attend.

Group meetings in Carrollton are the third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 306A Bradley Street.

For more information, contact Ivey Rollins at iveyrollins@gmail.com or call 470.729.0909.

Group meetings in Douglasville are the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 6167 Priestley Mill Rd., Room 226.

For more information, contact Terri Johnson at chose2live@aol.com or 770.765.2181.

Group meetings in Newnan are the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Crossroads Church, 2564 Hwy 154.

For more information, contact Lynn Bradley at 770.301.4890 or email nbll.bradley170@gmail.com, or contact Nancy Bradley at 770.251.6216.

12 for Life ® Celebrates the Class of 2023

In May, 12 for Life® hosted its annual commencement ceremonies in Carrollton, Ga., and Florence, Ala. Since the program's inception in 2007, more than 3,300 students have graduated through the support of this partnership that is designed to build better lives through education, employment and opportunity.

12 for Life, a collaborative partnership between Southwire and local school systems provides classroom instruction, on-the-job training, key work and life skills, mentoring and employment opportunities. Through 12 for Life, students are motivated to stay in school, graduate and move ahead to become successful, productive members of the communities in which they live.

"The 12 for Life graduation is a special night for our students. By partnering with Southwire, local school systems are able to provide personalized learning experiences that support efforts to students ready to be enrolled, employed or enlisted,” said Scott Cowart, superintendent of Carroll County Schools. “Since 2007, the 12 For Life Program has positively impacted a tremendous number of students."

This year, 59 students were honored at the ceremonies and completed the requirements to receive their high school diplomas through the support of the Carrollton and Florence 12 for Life programs. The keynote speaker at both events was Aimee Copeland, psychotherapist and executive director of the Aimee Copeland Foundation.

“If a picture speaks a thousand words, getting to meet these kids and their supervisors spoke a billion,” said Copeland. “Their interest, participation and work ethic were extremely visible. It was clear that their development was fostered in this warm environment in which they’ve been given a lifechanging opportunity.”

Attendees of the ceremonies included students, teachers, families, school system representatives, Southwire team members, community leaders and friends.

In addition to the recognition of each graduate, several awards and scholarships were granted during each of the ceremonies.

Carrollton Awards/Scholarships:

Academic Achievement Award – Kevin S. of Carrollton High School

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Scholarship –Johani A. of Carrollton High School, Amari N. of Villa Rica High School, Yolany P. of Carrollton High School and Matthew T. of Temple High School

The Golden K Kiwanis Club Scholarships –Justin B. of Bowdon High School, Latravious C. of Carrollton High School and Sayuri E. of Carrollton High School

Florence Awards/Scholarships:

Mr. Southwire – Micah Q.

Mrs. Southwire – Santi W.

Most Improved – Jon E.

Resilience Award – Jeffrey M.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Scholarship – Wyatt S., Adaly R., Brittany R., and Santi W.

The graduates will be pursuing pathways including post-secondary education and/or entering the workforce full-time.

“The 12 for Life program is so valuable to our local community, and it makes me so proud to see our 12 for Life students walk across the stage at graduation,” said Marcus Johnson, Florence 12 for Life manager. “I am so honored to be a part of preparing our students for the next stage of their life journey.”

A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers and an emerging influence in many important electrical markets. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, utility products, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment, electrical components, hand tools and jobsite power and lighting solutions, and the company provides a variety of field and support services to customers around the world. For more information about Southwire’s products, its community involvement and its vision of sustainability, visit www.southwire.com.

WGTC Foundation Awards Over $45,000 in Scholarships for Summer Semester

The West Georgia Technical College Foundation awarded 65 students with over $45,000 in scholarships for the 2023 summer semester. Each scholarship recipient received an award between $500 – $2,500 to help cover the costs associated with attending WGTC.

“On behalf of the WGTC Foundation, we extend our congratulations to the scholarship recipients,” said WGTC Foundation Executive Director Brittney Henderson. “Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to your education have truly paid off. This achievement is a testament to your exceptional abilities and potential, and we know you will continue to excel and make a positive impact in your chosen field."

Karen Sanchez, a dental assisting student and recipient of a Robert D. Tisinger scholarship, thanked her donor in a written note.

“In the past, I had thought that going to college would not have been possible for me. I was concerned about the cost of attendance, and it was holding me back from pursuing higher education,” Reynolds wrote. “Being the first in my family to go to college is an achievement that has been made possible thanks to the help of donors like yourself.”

Scholarships are offered each semester to students in various programs and locations at WGTC. For more information about available scholarship opportunities, please visit www. westgatech.edu/foundation-scholarship.

To learn more about establishing or contributing to a scholarship fund, please contact Brittney Henderson at brittney.henderson@westgatech.edu.

The WGTC Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 1998 to encourage, solicit, receive, and administer gifts and bequests of property and funds for the benefit of the college and its students. Partnerships and gifts enable the foundation to support the best possible learning environment for our students.

WGTC Receives $100,000 from Carroll EMC to Support CDL Program

West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) and Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) recently celebrated the unveiling of the Carroll EMC Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Canopy at the College’s new Carroll Campus. The canopy was funded in part by Carroll EMC’s $100,000 donation to the WGTC Foundation.

"We are extremely grateful for the generous support of Carroll EMC," said WGTC Foundation Executive Director Brittney Henderson. "This donation will have a lasting impact on our CDL program, allowing us to provide enhanced training opportunities and ensure our students receive the best possible education."

The canopy was included in the initial CDL range design but was cut due to a lack of funding. WGTC President, Dr. Julie Post, was adamant that the College’s CDL students have protection from the elements.

"Our job is to provide industry-relevant training opportunities while ensuring the safety of our students,” Post said. "The Carroll EMC CDL Canopy provides a covered training area that allows students to practice and refine their skills regardless of weather conditions, ensuring uninterrupted progress toward their career goals in a safe environment. We are grateful for the support of Carroll EMC in making this canopy a reality."

The partnership between WGTC and Carroll EMC showcases the commitment to education and safety but also serves as a testament to the power of partnerships in advancing the community's educational landscape.

“We are fortunate to have WGTC in our backyard,” said Tim Martin, President and CEO for Carroll EMC. “It is through their training programs that we are able to build up a well-educated and top-quality workforce with a number of technical and administrative skills. We support the continued development of WGTC as it benefits the cooperative and our Members.”

The Commercial Driving - Class A certificate program provides basic training in the principles and skills of commercial truck operation. For more information, contact CDL program director Joe Holvey at Joe.Holvey@westgatech.edu.

West Georgia Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson, and Troup counties and class sites in Heard and Meriwether counties, offers more than 120 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Tech is one of the largest of the state’s 22 technical colleges. For more information, please visit www.westgatech.edu.

Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 54,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk, Floyd and Troup counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at www.carrollemc.com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.

WGTC Concludes 10th Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Course, Equipping Officers with Essential Medical Skills

The Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in cooperation with West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) and the Governor’s Office of

Highway Safety (GOHS) recently completed their 10th Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Course. Since its inception in October 2021, the program has trained 153 law enforcement officers, representing 68 different agencies, to be phlebotomists.

Officers participating in the phlebotomy program undergo 10 hours of online training and 32 hours of classroom training. The Georgia Public Safety Training Center oversees the training program, and Dr. Phyllis Ingham, Program Director for Medical Laboratory Technology and Phlebotomy at WGTC, provides all of the phlebotomy training. Upon successfully completing the training program, the officers have the same qualifications as phlebotomists who work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other licensed medical facilities in Georgia.

“It is an honor to be selected to be a small part of this West Georgia Technical College community partnership assisting the state of Georgia and the law enforcement agencies in keeping our roadways a safer place to travel by removing impaired individuals from driving under the influence,” Ingham said. “We now have over 150 qualified law enforcement phlebotomists in the state with more than 2000 blood draws and a 94% success rate in the field even with the difficult cases and bad veins they encounter.”

Training officers to become qualified phlebotomists assists in the prosecution of DUI cases with the inclusion of critical toxicology evidence at trial. Obtaining the blood evidence sooner in the investigative process provides a more accurate measure of the blood content of a suspected impaired driver, and not having to wait for a blood test to be performed by a third party allows officers to return to their patrol duties, GOHS said.

“No doubt this training has saved countless lives and strengthened impaired driving cases throughout Georgia,” said Michael Blute, Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Program Coordinator and Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Coordinator for GOHS. “The partnerships of the three agencies are vital to continuing the program in the coming years.”

Dill Takes Lead at Carroll Chamber, Carroll Tomorrow Owenby Returns to Chamber as SVP

Brian Dill, who has served as interim president and CEO of Carroll Tomorrow and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, will be stepping into the role full-time.

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce also welcomes back Rhyne Owenby, who will return as senior vice president of operations.

Through the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, Dill and Owenby will lead local efforts to grow businesses and industries in Carroll County. And as president and CEO of Carroll Tomorrow, Dill will be responsible for helping attract new opportunities to the region.

“It takes vision to lead these organizations,” said Jill Duncan, a State Farm Insurance agent and chair of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. “Brian and Rhyne have that, and we’re excited to see where they take us.”

Dill has served in an interim role since the departure of former Chamber and Carroll Tomorrow President and CEO Karen Handel. He previously worked with the Chamber and Carroll Tomorrow and will continue his duties as vice president of external affairs of Healthliant and Tanner Health System.

Dill also serves as chair of the Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission and serves on the board of governors for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Dill spent 16 years in corporate and industrial business development and recruitment as an economic development senior executive in several Georgia communities, including Carroll County, as well as the chief operating officer for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

Dill earned his bachelor’s from the University of Georgia in political science and his master’s in business through UGA’s executive MBA program. He and his family are members of First Baptist Church of Carrollton.

Owenby returns to the Chamber after serving as the director of signature events and traditions at the University of West Georgia. She served in multiple roles with the Chamber from January 2019 to October of last year before taking her role at the university.

As senior vice president, she’ll continue to promote engagement through building relationships with current chamber members, develop marketing and promotional campaigns, work with the county and local cities to enhance relationships and help the region rebuild after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owenby also previously served as president of Tickled Pink Gifts, an online gift boutique, and director of marketing and institutional development for Oak Mountain Academy. She has an associate’s in applied science, fashion merchandising from the Art Institute of Atlanta and is earning her bachelor’s in organizational leadership from the University of West Georgia.

“As president of the Chamber and Carroll Tomorrow – while also serving as vice president of our Healthliant program to enhance innovation and healthcare delivery – Brian is in a unique position to bring insight and experience to his duties,” said Loy Howard, chair and co-founder of Carroll Tomorrow. “With Rhyne, we’re going to see a brighter future in our community and our region.”

Find more on the efforts of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Tomorrow at www.carroll-ga.org.

WGTC’s Dental Hygiene Class of 2023 Achieves 100% Pass Rate on Regional Exam

All 13 members of West Georgia Technical College’s 2023 dental hygiene class earned a 100 percent pass rate on their regional clinical exams. 12 students took the Central Regional Dental Testing Services exam (CRDTS) and one student took the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX).

Jordan Chandler of Bremen; MacKenzie Curtis of LaGrange, Macey Freeman Napier of LaGrange, Laci Fuller of Cumming, Ashley Gann of Temple, Rajveer Kaur of Powder Springs, Madeline Lowther of Powder Springs, Tammy Oberheuser of Newnan, Savannah Porter of Buchanan, Leah Potter of Newnan, Victoria Vasquez Caceres of Newnan, Chloe Weeks of Hiram, and Alexandria "Grace" Williams of Hiram successfully completed the stringent clinical testing requirements in order to pass their certification exam.

“I am extremely proud of our students and their accomplishments,” WGTC Dental Hygiene Program Director Krystal Dell said. “To achieve a 100 percent pass rate on regional exams on the first attempt requires a lot of hard work and dedication."

The students received their associate degrees at WGTC’s spring commencement exercises on May 9. The next step is to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination licensure exam, which will decide if students are able to be accredited and apply for licensure, in Georgia or elsewhere, to become registered dental hygienists.

The Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene is an 83-credit hour program. Upon completion of this highly competitive and challenging program, students are prepared for employment in dental offices, community and educational settings, and public health and insurance industries. For more information about program admission, please contact Dental Hygiene Program Assistant Stephanie Lewis at Stephanie.Lewis@westgatech.edu.

West Georgia Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson, and Troup counties and class sites in Heard and Meriwether counties, offers more than 120 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Tech is one of the largest of the state’s 22 technical colleges. Please visit www.westgatech.edu for more information.

Carroll EMC Blood Drive

Carroll EMC will host a blood drive Tuesday, July 11, in the Robert D. Tisinger Community Center at the Carrollton office from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

If you'd like to sign up for an appointment, please call 770.832.3552 or visit www.redcross.org.

Walk-ins are also welcome. WGW