Breanna Harris grabs a compost pile and sifts it. When the particles fall and begin to separate, she finds it contaminated.
“This little white sticker is going to be a problem,” Harris said.
A senior at Effingham College and Career Academy (ECCA), Harris developed the school’s first compost program. The students are making materials using food scraps and shredder paper from the cafeteria. The goal is to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills.
A Future Farmers of America proficiency finalist, Harris plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College so he can give back to future generations.
“I’m going there to be an agriculture teacher so I can inspire kids like I was inspired in middle school,” Harris said.
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Agricultural Science is one of many career, technical, and agricultural education pathways offered at ECCA. The school also boasts automotive and culinary arts programs, engineering and technology, and health care sciences. The school opened his 2010 and focuses on hands-on learning, but students must meet math, reading and science criteria before applying.
The school has two departments: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and CTAE Pathways.
“Those two things make us special,” said principal Brigid Nesmith. “We call it both sides of the house. When it first opened, it was a higher performing school. I understand that not all kids go to Harvard, but it’s totally worth it.” No problem, some students may want to get a job, we focus on the 3 E’s: hiring, enlisting, and staying in. We want our students to have a great future. , more focused on the skills they need to succeed.”
ECCA CEO Todd Wall says STEM programs may sound intimidating, but they’re another way for students to learn about the world around them.
“Many parents associate STEM with AP and honors courses,” says Wall. “STEM is not. When the word STEM came out, it was not known, but the more we talk about it, the more people can see it, the better it will be understood. will be.”
The Health Care program is the school’s largest track with approximately 600 students. Wall said the program is crucial in preparing students for an industry that is in constant need of dedicated professionals. His role is to maintain relationships with companies and industry so that employers can turn to students who want a job right out of high school or college.
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“Think Savannah and hospitals. Even in Effingham County, Effingham Health is growing,” says Wall. “Our hospital is getting bigger and reaching more areas.”
Students like Harris say schools offer endless possibilities to support academic achievement. “I was hesitant at first, so I’m glad they let me through the composting program,” Harris said. “We’ve overcome some obstacles, but I think it’s a pretty good program now.”
Students are encouraged to bring their own ideas to the table, Nesmith said, and they’ll be ready for board meetings once out into the world.
“Our students are really advocating for themselves, whether they want a schedule change, have concerns about teachers, or want to add clubs,” Nesmith said. “We get more visitation requests from students than parents. We are trying to teach you more about it.
Senior Vrit Patel has been cleared by ECCA to develop leadership skills. Patel has a strong interest in computer science and is also enrolled in an agricultural science program, two of which he says are essential to the healthcare sector.
“As far as agricultural science is concerned, that’s what I’m interested in because it ties into all the other areas like healthcare. Agriculture and healthcare really ties together. And computers. Science is making agriculture more data-driven.”
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Patel said coming to ECCA took shots in the dark. He wasn’t sure if the school was right for him. Four years later, he was accepted into the University of Georgia and serves as Secretary of State for his club Georgia Beta.
“I’ve considered staying in South Effingham,” said Patel. “I thought it would be easier down south. After browsing the ECCA web page, I looked up ECCA clubs and opportunities and became more interested. I can say that I have really grown from my experience here. .”
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. Her contact is her lwilliams6@gannett.com.