Foothills RHS - Walton

Walton Foothills recognized students, Braxton Winegardner and Laura Hogan, for their perfect (in-person) attendance during the February Walton Attendance Blitz.

Braxton is a 12th grader, who also works full-time. Laura is a 10th grader.

"Both students have an amazing work ethic and perfect attendance," states Barbie Kulp, office manager. "They come to school and are shining examples to everyone."

A $500 Attendance Award will be offered to one Foothills student. Students will be given an opportunity to win this award every day that they attend school either in person or virtually between Feb. 14 - March 2. The more days a student attends, the more opportunities they have to win! Thank you to Heyward Allen for sponsoring this award!

Voices of Foothills: Destiny Evans
Barrow site & WeldReady graduate

The Foothills Education Charter High School website features The Voices of Foothills, which highlights students speaking on their journey at Foothills. One of the students featured is Destiny Evans, a Barrow site and WeldReady graduate. Read her story below and check out our website or youtube to hear her speak.

Destiny Evans leveraged the WeldReady program to complete her high school education, gain an array of professional credentials, and get a high-paying job with Caterpillar. Check out Destiny’s full story at at https://youtu.be/sU-srn7awqU

Destiny Evans is one of Foothills’ great success stories. Speaking in her engaging and confident manner, she describes how, despite never having previously considered a career in welding, it intrigued her when she heard about the WeldReady program and she decided to check it out— “Huh, that sounds interesting! I’ll give this a shot. I like doing things I’m good at.”

Her experience at Foothills was a revelation for her. She says, “What I would like to tell other students about Foothills, if you think school isn’t for you, don’t give up... Your teachers will work with you... and you can go and focus in a quiet environment.. and if you need the help there are tutors to help you... really is the change some people need to graduate.”

As Destiny describes in her video message, through the WeldReady program she earned at least fourteen industry-recognized credentials, including Power Actuated Tools, Lasers, and OSHA-10. With these skills and credentials in hand, and with the “soft skills” she was able to develop—job interviewing, handshakes, eye contact—she graduated with more than seven job offers from several great, established companies, including Caterpillar where she ultimately settled.

Destiny expresses great pride in succeeding in a field typically dominated by men, and in being able to provide for herself so well, even without a college degree because, as she states, “standard schooling is not for me.” Should she change her mind in the future, she is aware that Caterpillar provides college course reimbursement, in addition to many great benefits: a salary of $18.55/hour; dental, health, and vision coverage, and a 401K match.

Student Spotlight:
Paula Stirb, Walton Foothills

Barbie Kulp from Walton Foothills shares the story of Paula Stirb, a student at Walton Foothills, who is earning college credits through the dual enrollment program.

Walton Foothills student, Paula Stirb, is taking advantage of the wonderful Dual Enrollment opportunities that are available through Foothills, and she LOVES it!

Paula moved to the United States from Romania when she was 13 years old. She finished traditional middle school but started high school in a Michigan Online Program. During her time enrolled in online high school, she missed the personal connection and assistance of face-to-face teachers. When she moved to Georgia, she found Walton Foothills to be the perfect combination of online learning and personal attention. Paula also heard that as a student at Foothills she could take Dual Enrollment college courses.

Paula took English 1101 and Economics last semester at Lanier Tech, and this semester she is taking Psychology and Statistics at Gwinnett Tech.

“It is a little stressful”, she says, “but balancing college classes while taking Foothills classes is helping me grow up.”

When asked why she wanted to take Dual Enrollment classes, she said “I love the ability to gradually prepare to be a full time college student. My two college classes provide a small step into the college life while I can still come to the comfort of high school at Foothills. Also, it is a great way to earn some college credits for free!"

Paula will graduate from Foothills this spring and plans on majoring in Criminal Justice.

In the photo, Paula is meeting about her classes with Walton Foothills counselor, Dr. Elise Johnson.

Walton Foothills Charter Ed.

So proud of Francisca and all of our hard working graduates!!

Student Spotlight
Francisca Gamino, Walton Foothills, submitted by Barbie Kulp

"Walton Foothills 2021 graduate, Francisca Gamino Castro, is an inspiration to the entire faculty and staff at Walton Foothills," Barbie Kulp states. "We are so proud of this 35-year old mother of five children, wife and amazing lady."

Francisca came to the United States when she was 13 years old. She finished high school in Texas in 2012, but could not pass the graduation exam to earn her diploma. After moving to Georgia with her husband, Francisca always planned to study and return to Texas to take the graduation exam, but life as a mother of 5 took all of her time and energy.

She never lost the desire and dream to get her high school diploma. In fact, it was Francisca’s resolution and goal every year to go back to school. She attempted many times to find high school programs in Georgia, but none of them were close in proximity, nor did fit her busy schedule.

Francisca’s father lived in Mexico and always stressed to her the importance of finishing school. Francisca’s father died in 2020 and afterwards, she felt that this was the right time to finally get her diploma.

Nancy Sykes, a mentor at Walton Foothills, attends church with Francisca. Nancy told her about Foothills. Francisca started Walton Foothills on April 12, 2021, with great support from her husband and children. Her husband and children working hard at home allowed Francisca the time and energy to come to school every night.

She was extremely nervous on April 12th, as she had not been in school for approximately 17 years. Francisca says that within a few days, “Mrs. Glass helped me feel comfortable and I knew that I would have someone with me every step of the way.”

When asked “What have you learned from coming back to school and earning your diploma?” Francisca says, “I learned so much from the teachers at Foothills as I watched them work with other students and experienced their care as they helped me. I watched Mr. Dave Gascho help another student finish the last class before their graduation. I saw how much he cared and how important it was to him that the student finish and have a better future by earning a diploma. He was so passionate. All the teachers were so kind and passionate about helping the students meet their goals. They were an example to me. I also feel like God’s timing was perfect and Foothills was the perfect place for me to earn my diploma.”

Francisca graduated on October 28, 2021, and will walk in the Winter Regional Graduation in December.

Faith In Serving Humanity (F.I.S.H.)

Foothills graduate gives back to Foothills

2021 Walton graduate, Rebekah Embry, started at Foothills during her junior year. She had been ill for a year and fell behind in credits. Rebekah and her parents decided that Foothills would be a good option to help her catch up with her school courses.

Rebecca loved the flexibility of Foothills, but even more so, she thrived because of the individual care and attention she received from teachers and the entire staff.

“The staff was so supportive and encouraging, I knew there was always someone I could turn to for help and motivation," she said.

Foothills also allowed Rebekah to start working at The F.I.S.H. in Monroe. Rebekah had always admired the work that FISH does in the community. FISH, (Faith in Serving Humanity), is a Christian outreach ministry sponsored by a number of local churches, volunteers, and generous members of the Walton County community. In 2019, she started volunteering with them and she got to know the Executive Director, Cindy Little. Since that time,
Rebekah was hired on as Cindy’s administrative assistant.

“Working for Cindy Little has to be one of my favorite things about my job," she said. "She has taught me so many things, not just about how to work in an office, but also about how to be a good person. She has had enough life experience for a hundred people, and getting to hear about it and watch her handle the work that she does first hand is an honor. I don’t think there is a better person to learn from about being charitable and willing to do the hard things that many people can’t or aren’t willing to do.”

"Walton Foothills is so blessed by the charitable work of the the FISH," states Barbie Kulp," Walton site office manager. "The FISH provides a snack meal every night for Foothills students. And guess who delivers the food to our school every day?... our own Foothills graduate, Rebekah Embry. She serves the other students of Foothills and her entire community. We are so proud of the hard work and kind heart of Rebekah." Walton Foothills Charter Ed.

It is never too late to get your HS Diploma!

Michigan woman, 70, achieves dream of graduating high school -

We are so proud of our Welding students from Walton!

Foothills Education Charter High School’s Weldready Program to graduate 17 students on March 25 Photo credit: Foothills Charter School [BARROW and WALTON COUNTY, Ga] – From 6 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, Foothills Education Charter High School will celebrate 17 students who have comp…

Congratulations Dylan!!

May your 2021 be your best!!