Courtney Renshaw and Emma Thomas

Congratulations to Ware County Schools teacher Mrs. Courtney Renshaw and 2022 Ware County High School graduate Miss Emma Thomas, who were recognized at the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education Conference.

Mrs. Renshaw was selected as the Southeast Youth Apprenticeship Completer of the Year. She is a 2017 honor graduate of Ware County High School who completed her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from ABAC. A member of the National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA) all four years in high school, she served in leadership capacities for the local chapter as well as the state officer team.

While a high school student, Mrs. Renshaw earned her Green Hand, Chapter, and State FFA Degree and entered into the Work-Based Learning Program/Youth Apprenticeship Program where she interned as an agricultural intern while completing numerous Agricultural classes. This secondary training provided Courtney with a firm foundation and the tools for pursuing her career goal of becoming an Agricultural Educator. She is currently teaching at Waycross Middle and is heading the AG/FFA program for the Bulldogs.

Courtney exemplifies how WBL/YAP works best and is a true success story of the Georgia Youth Apprenticeship Program! She used the opportunity to connect what she learned in the classroom to the worksite enabling a smooth transition beyond high school into the workforce. Courtney is the daughter of Assistant Superintendent/CTAE Director Dr. Lynn and Lori Barber, a teacher at Waresboro Elementary School.

Emma Thomas was awarded the Southeast Work-Based Learning Student of the Year based on her high achievement of the three interlocking components of WBL which are 1) the student's career goal, 2) related coursework, and 3) structured work experience. Emma was employed during her senior year at Batten's Pharmacy. Prior to WBL, Emma completed the Allied Healthcare Pathway through WCHS CTAE while taking numerous dual enrollment courses. Emma was an honor graduate, 6th in her class of 365 with a GPA of 101.912, and is currently pursuing an Exercise and Sports Science degree at UGA. She was a member of HOSA all four years, the National Honor Society, and BETA. Emma is the daughter of Cecil and Waresboro Elementary School teacher Heather Thomas.

Both Emma and Mrs. Renshaw received a plaque from the Work-Based Learning Program/Youth Apprenticeship Program State Executive Board. Additionally, Emma received a $250 scholarship from the WBL/YAP State Executive Board. Both Emma and Mrs. Renshaw will receive a certificate and $250 each from the WCHS WBL/YAP Program.

We are so proud of both of these former Ware County High School Gators and wish them the best in their future endeavors!