Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School and Middle School students will have a day of hearing inspirational speakers and exploring career opportunities during Career Explorations Day on Friday, December 19.

In an effort to inspire a new level of student achievement that will lead to career achievement, the Wilkes County Community Partnership (WCCP) will host "Career Explorations Day: Fields of Opportunity" for grades 6-9 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Washington-Wilkes Middle/ High School gymnasium. Gift bags and door prizes will be available for the students.

"The purpose of this event is to inspire a new level of academia and scholarship among our students, and to combat the problems of school failure and increased dropout rates," said Amethyst Wynn, Executive Director of WCCP. "The students of Washington-Wilkes will be prosperous and have good success."

Two keynote speakers, Dr. Ralph D. Simpson, Assistant Superintendent for DeKalb County Schools and author of "From Remedial to Remarkable;" and Michael Bright, a motivational speaker and writer/ founder of Pure Potential, will be addressing the youth all day.

Several other "homegrown" professionals to speak during Career Explorations Day include:

Ashley Brannon Sheffield: 2000 graduate of W-WCHS and Mary Kay Consultant.

Melody Gartrell Jones: 1998 graduate of W-WCHS and Emergency Management Coordinator Supervisor for KPMG.

Charleeta Richardson Binns: 1997 graduate of W-WCHS and Licensed Master Cosmetologist at Alre's Salon in Atlanta. Binns has a B.A. in Business Marketing from Savannah State University.

Cedrick Binns: 1997 graduate of W-WCHS and loan officer with Nationwide Mortgage. Binns is also a private real estate investor and has a B.A. in Business Finance from Clark Atlanta University.

Cassandra Campbell: 1997 graduate of W-WCHS and Director of Ombudmen (Alternative Education). Campbell has an A.A.T. in Early Childhood Education from Augusta Technical College as well as a B.A. in Psychology from Troy University. She also plays a part in M.S.C.P. Community Counseling.

Christina Rainey: 2003 graduate of W-WCHS and owner/CEO of Instant Fame Photography. Rainey is also the founder of smalltownfame. com.

Debargia Cofer: 2002 graduate of W-WCHS and a Support Coordinator for Columbus Community Services. Cofer has a Bachelor of Social Work from Fort Valley State University.

Sanchez Graves: 1997 graduate of W-WCHS and E7-Seargent First Class in the US Army. Graves is also an Information Systems Analyst and Recruitment Officer.

Sarah Jane Stover Gaither: 1998 graduate of W-WCHS and Assistant Vice President of Buckhead Community Bank. Gaither has an Associates Degree in Business from Young Harris College as well as a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Georgia College and State University.

Various events are scheduled throughout the day. There will be a Middle School assembly with keynote speakers and others from 8:30-9:30 a.m. From 10-11:30 a.m. Middle School students will be able to view exhibits in the gym. There will be a lunch break from 11:30 a.m.-noon. From 12:30-1 p.m. ninth grade High School students will view exhibits followed immediately by an assembly.

"The career event has been a community effort," Wynn said. "Middle and high school counselors, graduation coaches, career explorations teachers, vocational supervisors, and the WCCP Executive Director form the planning committee, along with assistance from other community partners such as W-W Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Director Ashley Barnett and a student advisory committee."

WCCP received a $5,000 Communities in Schools of Georgia (GISGA) Bridgebuilder Grant to make the event possible.

Students in grades 6-9 are encouraged to enter an essay contest by writing a 1-3 page essay entitled, "My Life, As I See It." In the essay, students will be asked to include who they are, where they are going in life, and how they plan to get there. The essay contest participants will be given the opportunity to visit a college and technical school. They will also get to attend the annual Morehouse-Spelman Christmas Carol Concert on the Morehouse College campus in Atlanta. Other prizes and incentives will be given to the participants, such as t-shirts, MP3s, and DVD players. Winners of essay contests will be announced during assemblies.