On May 14, 2026, 29 students from Southwire’s 12 for Life® program in Florence, Ala., celebrated their high school graduation and completion of the program. The commencement ceremony was attended by officials from both Florence City Schools and Northwest Shoals Community College, students’ loved ones and Southwire leaders.
12 for Life is a collaborative partnership between Southwire and local school systems in Carrollton, Ga., and Florence, Ala. The initiative offers classroom instruction, on-the-job training, essential work and life skills, mentoring and employment opportunities.
Founded in 2007 and expanded to Florence in 2009, the goal of 12 for Life is for all participants to complete the program and graduate high school with a clear path towards employment, higher education or military enlistment.
“I still remember eight years ago when I first joined the company as 12 for Life manager. On just my second day, there was a graduation ceremony. I sat in the audience and thought, this is it. This is the pinnacle of what we do. This is where we truly set our students up for success,” said Marcus Johnson, 12 for Life manager. “Over my eight years with the 12 for Life program, I've had the privilege of watching it grow and evolve in remarkable ways.”
Four graduates were awarded Southwire’s 12 for Life SKILLED Scholarship at the ceremony, valued at up to $10,000 each. Now in its third year, this scholarship program is the result of the ongoing partnership between Southwire and SKILLED NATION, formerly the SkillPointe Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to innovative scholarship solutions.
To be eligible for the award, students must be on track to graduate high school and have plans to enroll in a higher (secondary) education program, community college, technical school or vocational program within one year of graduating.
“This Southwire-sponsored 12 For Life commencement program was well orchestrated and provided an incredible moment for graduates and their families,” said keynote speaker Larry Thornton Sr. “Graduates were heavily engaged and appeared ‘plugged in’ to our Why Not Win commencement messaging. 12 For Life’s educational programming is life altering and changes the thought trajectory for so many young people.”
