By Kaylie Simmons
Southeastern Community College
In partnership with Columbus County Schools and Whiteville City Schools, Southeastern Community College’s High School Summer Camps Certificate Ceremony recognized 79 students earning completion status on July 29. Camps were divided into eight classes taught across five weeks that included agribusiness, art, automotive, construction, engineering, healthcare exploration, HVAC and welding.
Susan Watson, Career and Technical Education Director for Whiteville City Schools, said the certificate ceremony was “more than just the end of the summer camp program.”
“It’s a celebration of the skills, confidence and determination our students have developed through hands-on learning and real-world experiences,” Watson said. “We are so proud of each student for embracing new challenges, exploring career pathways and investing in their future.”
CCS Superintendent Eddie Beck said the certificates recognized the skills gained over the past five weeks, and they represented something much greater.
“They are symbols of your curiosity, your commitment and your willingness to step out of your comfort zone to prepare for your future,” Beck said. “Someone once said that the future depends on what you do today. Those words remind us that success doesn’t simply happen.”
Beck explained that, over the summer, students took advantage of an opportunity to learn, to grow and to explore careers that have the power to shape people and communities. He told the campers to continue asking questions, working hard and taking advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.
The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Joel Johnson of Bakelite Synthetics. Johnson has worked in the chemical manufacturing business for more than 33 years. He is a Brunswick County native and has been an ordained minister for 23 years. He and his wife, Sandra, have three children.
“I’m just a country boy from Supply who trusted God with his life,” Johnson said. “I grew up like some of you in a divorced home with a single mother in a single-wide trailer. I’ve made over a million dollars in my lifetime. I tell you these things because if I can make it, so can you.”
Johnson reminded the campers that “you got up and showed up” for a five-week summer camp that started at 8:15 in the morning. He told them that someone’s greatest talent is their availability because potential and talent mean nothing while sitting at home staring at a phone screen.
“So, it’s what you give your focus to,” Johnson said. “And for five weeks, you gave your focus to graduate from this program. I want you to leave this world better than you found it.”
After Johnson’s speech, campers received their certificate and folder of credentials from SCC Executive Vice President Dr. Brandon Jenkins. With certificates in hand, Colene Faulk, SCC Dean of Student Services, made one final address to the campers.
“Many students spend their summer simply passing the time,” Faulk said. “But you chose to invest in your future, and you chose to learn, to grow and to challenge yourself. Today is not the finish line. It is the starting line.”
The agribusiness instructor was Dawn Hinshaw, the art instructor was Jeffrey Rudnik, and the automotive instructors were David Higgins, Johnny O’Connell and Mike Shacknuck. Kenny Morris, Timothy Jones and Ronald Carteret taught the construction camp, while Arturo Jones and Reuben Singletary taught the engineering camp. Lisa Hamilton was the healthcare exploration instructor, Billy Chappell was the HVAC instructor, and Alex Edwards and Paul Starnes taught welding.
Automotive campers could earn certifications in Ford ACE and Safety and Pollution Prevention, while welding and construction campers could earn OSHA 10-Hour Construction/General Industry Safety Certification. Construction and engineering campers could earn SnapOn 525F Multimeter Certification, while engineering campers could also earn Tooling-U SME Society of Manufacturing Engineers certification. Healthcare exploration campers had the chance to earn Basic Life Support CPR/AED, Heartsaver First Aid, Stop the Bleed and Wake AHEC Core Orientation certifications.
During the five-week camp, campers toured SCC’s new Black’s Tire and Auto Training Center, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Atlantic Packaging, Council Tool Company, Black’s Tire Service and Columbus County Soil and Water. Every Thursday, the Lunch and Learn series hosted speakers including Scott Simons of Simons Automotive Group, Josh Snyder of Top Tobacco, Cameron Council of Council Tool Company and Megan Sargent of CRHS.
This year’s summer camps were grant-supported by the North Carolina Business Committee for Education and the Golden Leaf Foundation.
High school students who want to continue their college education can contact Students Services at 910.788.6247 to connect with a Career and College Promise advisor.
