Devin Butler and Andrea Wiggins

Taco BellDevin Butler works at Taco Bell as a crew member, under

the supervision of manager, Andrea Wiggins. His responsibilitiesare to prep and cook food. Devin also maintains the drive-thru andfront counter. On a day-to-day basis Taco Bell serves wonderfulfood and gives great service to the community. Devin has stated“I enjoy working with the Work-Base Learning program. I wasvery delighted to know that juniors were now able to be in the pro-gram. Being in the program has allowed me to see the responsibil-ities in having a job. I really appreciate the opportunity and I willalways continue to work very hard.” He also wants customers toremember to think outside the bun!”

Stevi Dickerson and Steve Dickerson

Dickerson Financial GroupMonday through Friday, Stevi Dickerson serves as the per-

sonal secretary for Dickerson Financial Group. Dickerson Finan-cial Group handles all areas of financial planning, including lifeinsurance and healthcare plans. It is a full-service financial planninggroup. The owner of Dickerson Financial Group is Stevi's father,Steve Dickerson. Stevi files client information, transfers documentsinto the computer, organizes the office, and faxes important clientalinformation. “I enjoy working for Dickerson Financial Group be-cause it is giving me the opportunity to learn from my Daddy andwatch him work. I have always wondered what in the world his jobactually was, and now I am getting to learn every day.”

Alisa McCall and Holly Harrell

Cook Primary SchoolAlisa McCall works at Cook Primary School’s extended day

program. Extended day gives children the chance to stay after schoolfor five dollars a day until their parents can conveniently pick themup. Most parents do not get off work until after five and extendedday is a good resource for parents because it is open until 6:00 pm.Holly Harrell, Shari Breeden, Cindy Ensley, and Sargent Chris Pow-ell are the adult workers during the week. There are six differenthigh school workers, two in each room, who chaperon and keep aclose eye on the children until they leave. The high school workersgive out snacks, monitor the children outside, and tend to any otherneeds until 6:00 pm. Alisa states that “the Work-Based Learning pro-gram has ensured that I stay on top of my responsibilities at workand go above and beyond what is asked of me.”

May 1, 2013 – Adel News Tribune – Page 3-B

Debbie Buckholtz and Khandice Moore

Cook Elementary SchoolKhandice Moore works Cook Elementary School through

the Work-Based Learning program under the supervision of Princi-pal Debbie Buckholtz. Upon arriving at work Khandice checks inwith the front desk staff to make sure she is not needed initially. Ifnot, she then goes down to the “Ethel” copy room and begins makingcopies for the teachers. She goes to all the workrooms to check thebaskets if any copies need to be ran. Then she has to go back up tothe front to catch the phone, help parents check in/out students, andfile name-cards back into the system. She always arrives on timeand leaves at five o’clock. Khandice always says, ‘That working atthe Cook Elementary School has been a learning experience.”

Seth Raulerson and Gavin Merwin

eLeadOneeLeadOne is a division of Fresh Beginning’s, based in Valdosta,

Georgia, is the nation’s leading automotive dealerships business de-velopment center. As a company, they make outbound calls for manydifferent services for dealers. Their packages range from surveys onpast service experiences to setting appointments directly with salesmanagers for potential buyers. While performing these calls, their goalis always customer satisfaction. Gavin Merwin, a participant inthe Work-Based Learning program of Cook High School and aneLeadOne customer service representative under the of supervisionSeth Rountree, business manager at eLeadOne. Gavin states, “This po-sition has been a great introduction to the world of sales and can be foryou too because our company is hiring!:

Carrie Revels and Michelle Meadows

Michelle’s Formal WearCarrie Revels works at Michelle’s Formal Wear in Adel,

Georgia through the Work-Based Learning Program of Cook HighSchool. Carrie assists customers by helping them select the perfectdress for prom, pageant, or any other special occasion. Carriestates, “Working at Michelle’s is truly a pleasure”. Her mentorsare Michelle Meadows and Shayla Smith. Carrie feels honored tobe a part of the WBL Program because she explains that it givesher a chance to get one step ahead in her career and have morework experience. She feels this program will benefit her in the fu-ture. Come visit Carrie at Michelle’s Formal Wear and check outtheir amazing selection of formal gowns, as well as boutique cloth-ing. At Michelle’s they are known for being “Simply the Best!”

Melissa Harrison, Damien Morris and Jan Tucker

Cook Middle School LibraryDamien Morris is a student worker at the Cook Middle

School media center. His job includes checking in and outbooks to students, shelving, cataloging, and equipping bookswith the proper coverings and information. “The library’s pur-pose is to help the students of CMS learn responsibility” sayshis mentor, Melissa Harrison. Damien helps Melissa Harrissonand Jan Tucker file books and assist students with the properinformation about the books the students are looking for. Whenasked how has his experience been this year in the Work-BasedLearning program he said this “Its has taught me not to takeany job too lightly.”

Jill Underwood and Austin Pearce

Cook County Elementary School Media CenterAustin Pearce is a student employee at the Cook County El-

ementary School Media Center. The Elementary School Media Cen-ter serves as a place for students and teachers alike to find extraresearch materials to gain more knowledge on a particular subject,or a book for fun and leisurely reading, Austin enjoys working in theMedia Center with his supervisor Jill Underwood and co-worker PamMedley. He helps students and teachers find specific items to suittheir needs. He also helps organize the books and put them back intheir right place in order to prepare the media center for the next day.Austin says, “The Work-Based Learning Program has helped me tolearn how to interact with people on the job site.”

Two CHS students completeYouth Apprenticeship Program

A high school student in the Youth Apprenticeship Program(YAP) is required to have completed at least one unit of credit ina high school class related to his or her career pathway beforebeing placed on the YAP job site. In order to be a “completer” ofthe YAP program, the student must obtain 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and finish a post-secondary certificate, degree,diploma or other industry recognized credential. Pay must alsobe on a progressive scale. The Work-Based Learning Coordinatormust supervise the student while in high school as well as main-tain contact after graduation in order to document the conditionsof completion. This year, Cook High School is proud to announcethat two past graduates have completed the YAP program.

Mary Self and Jamie Ogiba

Waffle HouseMary Self began working as a salesperson with Waffle

House when she turned 16. Then, in her senior year of highschool, she was able to continue working there through the Work-Based Learning Program. She says, “Even though I work at theWaffle House in Tifton, it’s worth the drive.” Her job consists oftaking orders, caring for the customers, and maintaining restau-rant cleanliness, which is the sole purpose of Waffle House. Shehas four main supervisors: the Area Vice President, Lisa Perry;the Division Manager, Jamie Ogiba; the District Manager, Jen-nifer Williams; and the Unit Manager, Mary Gaines.

Tracie Hart and Lexi Pike

Country FinancialTracie Hart Insurance & Financial Services, LLCLexi Pike is a student employee for Tracie Hart Insurance Serv-

ice located at 3350A Noble Way, Valdosta, GA. Tracie Hart Insuranceis an insurance agency that services all insurance needs from life,home, auto and investments. With over 18 years of experience in in-surance, Tracie Hart has given Lexi a great opportunity to learn thebusiness. Lexi is a senior at Cook High School and is graduating inMay. Upon graduation she will continue her apprenticeship withTraci Hart Insurance and attend Valdosta State University. Lexi statesthat while working she has learned that “building trusting relationshipwith clients is the secret to success. I will continue to do this when Iget the opportunity to take over her business one day.”

Courtney Taylor and Corkey Taylor

Corkey’s Triple T Pilot Car ServiceCorkey Taylor is the owner of a pilot car service named

Corkey’s Triple T. The purpose of his company is to make surethat drivers of oversized trucks have a pole car so they can travelto the destination that they need to be. Courtney Taylor isthe secretary allowing Corkey to be the dispatcher and cover theloads. Courtney helps keep the files straight in the office. She in-voices papers, calls in com checks, and answers the phone.Courtney always says, “Do your best every day at work.”

Pepper Wilkes and Jordan Pitts

SunCrest Home HealthJordan Pitts works at SunCrest Home Health in Adel, Geor-

gia through the Work-Based Learning Program of Cook HighSchool. Jordan files papers, breaks down folders, and assiststhe secretaries in the office. Through working at Suncrest, Jor-dan learns about the nurses she works with and the patients theysee every day. She describes her job as “a great environment towork in where I learn a lot about the real world and how it re-ally works.” Her supervisor at Suncrest Home Health is PepperWilkes. Jordan states that she is very blessed to be workingthere, and her working with such great people makes her jobvery enjoyable.

Brittany Barks, daughter of James and Rhonda Barks, is a2012 graduate of Cook High School. She has recently completedthe Youth Apprenticeship Program at Cook High School in thehealthcare science pathway. In December of 2011, Brittanyearned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate whilestill in high school through the dual enrollment program withWiregrass Technical College. She began working at the CookSenior Living Center, part of the Cook Medical Center, in Adelwhile in the YAP program in high school. She is currently a full-time student at ABAC, where she is studying nursing.

SEE MORE WORK-BASED LEARNING ON PAGE 4-B

Cam Phelps, son of Alan and Lisa Phelps, is a 2009 graduateof Cook High School who participated in the Work-Based Learn-ing program supervised by Mrs. Jenny Pitts. He has completedthe Youth Apprenticeship Program at Cook High School in theagricultural pathway. While in high school, Cam worked for theCook School System in the maintenance department. Upon grad-uation from high school, he attended Wiregrass Technical Col-lege in Valdosta where he completed the HVAC program(Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) in December 2011.Cam currently is employed as a Signals Technician with theGeorgia Department of Transportation based in Tifton.