On May 6, Southwire leaders and local school officials joined 12 for Life® students to celebrate 46 Carrollton-area graduates from the program. Since the program's inception in 2007, more than 3,300 students in Georgia and Alabama have received diplomas with support from this public-private partnership that builds better lives through education, employment and opportunity.
This year, eight graduating seniors received the Southwire 12 for Life SKILLED Scholarship, a scholarship that helps students take the next step toward meaningful careers in the skilled trades.
Two years ago, Southwire partnered with SKILLED Nation, formerly SkillPointe Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to innovative scholarship solutions, to create a scholarship for 12 for Life® students graduating from high school.
“We are here to honor these students who have worked so hard, and in many cases, overcome extreme adversity to achieve this honor," said Joel Grubbs, 12 for Life Principal. "We are showing how proud we are of you."
12 for Life – a collaborative partnership between Southwire and local school systems in Carrollton, Ga., and Florence, Ala., – provides classroom instruction, on-the-job training, key work and life skills, mentoring and employment opportunities.
Through the program, students are motivated to stay in school, graduate and move ahead to become successful, productive members of the communities in which they live. The goal for all students is to graduate from the program with a path to becoming employed, enrolled or enlisted.
“Southwire has been so instrumental in the 12 for Life program through the years. We can't thank Southwire enough, not just for your investment in the community, but in making our world a better place,” said Carroll County Schools Superintendent Scott Cowart.
All 46 seniors honored have completed diploma requirements through the support of the Carrollton program.
Two-sport professional athlete and Former Braves baseball and Falcons player Brian Jordan was this year’s keynote speaker. He spoke on the importance of dreaming big and education.
“You have to keep going. I often talk about how my dreams were big,” said Jordan. “One of my first dreams was education. Education was number one. How could I pursue my goals or make it if I didn't have the education?"
To learn more about the 12 for Life program, click here. To learn more about Southwire's partnership with SKILLED Nation, visit here.
