Kim Subacz, biology instructor, volunteers at the career center. Photo by Shelby Hogland

Cartersville students can now get career counseling at the new career center located just inside the main entrance of the academic building.

Run by both career counselors and faculty volunteers, the center helps students figure out their next step in their career process, offers help with resumes and gives students easier access to drop-in advising.

There are two computers in the career center so students can find local job opportunities and important dates and deadlines.

The center is also a convenient place for new students to ask basic questions.

Leslie Johnson, Cartersville dean, said, “Students can easily find someone to help them with career counseling or direct them to needed resources on our campus.”

According to Johnson, the new center was the brain-child of Georgia Highlands Career Counselor Dorothy Morgan and Disability Specialist Kim Linek.

The center is equipped with a mannequin to show students the proper attire for job interviews and other professional events.

The career center is also equipped with a professional clothes closet where students can borrow the proper attire for interviews, class presentations or other occasions.

Kim Subacz, biology instructor and faculty volunteer at the career center, said, “Before, there wasn’t a whole lot here, and the center helps students get pointed in the right direction.”

The center is open on Thursdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. until noon.

GHC Chargers softball team played Georgia Perimeter College Thursday April 23, losing the game 2-0 in seven innings.

The first inning is where all the runs in the game were made.

The Chargers went on to play East Georgia the following day at Strong Rock, losing the game 2-1. This final loss marked the end of the season for the Chargers softball team.

Out of the thirty players chosen throughout the region, seven Chargers were picked to play on the All-Region Team, including Lindsey Miles, Kayleigh Medlin, Karlie Jarrett, Brandi Hughes, Sierra Cagle, Grayson West and Ashley Jordan.

The GHC softball team defeated Georgia Military College, 6-2, in the second game of a doubleheader at Stars Field April 4.

The Lady Chargers made three runs in the first inning. Georgia Military would not score until the third inning, making the score 3-1.

Kayleigh Medlin sprints to second at Stars Field on April 4. Photo by Shelby Hogland.

GHC scored three more runs in the fifth inning. Georgia Military made its last attempt at a comeback in the seventh inning, with one last run.

GHC was not as successful in the first game of the day at 1 p.m. losing 11-7.

“This game showed us exactly what we need to improve to get ready for post-season, and now it’s up to us to make the proper adjustments so we can compete and try to make it to the national tournament” said Melissa Wood, GHC softball head coach.

At the April 4 game, the GHC softball team raised $560 for Stomp Out Cancer. GHC jerseys and raffle tickets were sold to raise the money. This cause was especially important to the GHC softball team because Jerrica Medlin, former GHC player, lost her father, Andy Littlejohn, to cancer last summer. In honor of Littlejohn, the GHC softball team wore his name on their jerseys during the game.

“All in all, it was a very emotional day, and I am glad we could a get a win after the start we had in the first game,” said Liz Prance, GHC softball third basemen.

Prance continued, “It was an honor to have the Littlejohn family there in the stands.”

On Feb. 28, the Georgia Highlands’ softball team defeated Darton State 5-2.

The game was played at F. Carter Davis Memorial Field instead of Stars Field due to the inclement weather across the region. With the snow still melting, the team was forced to move the game.

Kayleigh Medlin catches the ball for an out, Feb. 28. Photo by Shelby Hogland.

The snowy weather also prohibited the team from being able to practice in preparation for the conference game.

The Lady Chargers took the lead in the first inning and managed to hold the lead without any opposition until the fifth inning when Darton finally put some points on the board, ending the fifth inning with Chargers in the lead 3-2. GHC went on to score another two points in the sixth inning and finished the game in the seventh inning.

Sierra Cagle, GHC sophomore and catcher for the Lady Chargers, hit a homerun in the sixth inning, helping three teammates make it home.

“It was tough not being on a field for an entire week before our conference opener, but the girls found a way to get us two big time wins” stated Melissa Wood, softball head coach.

She continued, “Liz Prance and Karlie Jarrett played unbelievable defense and Kayleigh Medlin continues to crush the ball.”

The Lady Chargers went on to beat Darton State again that day with a score of 5-1.

The second game started out slow with no points on the board until the fourth inning when Medlin hit a homerun, putting three points on the board.

Prance, sophomore and corner for the Lady Chargers stated, “They weren’t necessarily pretty wins, but considering we haven’t been on the field in over a week, our defense did well, and we got the key hits when needed.”

Liz Prance, GHC softball player and sophomore, has big expectations for her team in this upcoming season.

Prance said, “We should be able to make conference tournament and make it to Vegas in the spring.”

The team placed third in conference and region last season, missing the championship by two runs. Prance said that one of the team goals this spring is to win as many conference games as possible.

Prance stated, “The sophomores have to play every game like it’s our last because it is our last season at GHC before we all transfer on.”

She said that the sophomores will be an important factor because they have played all the teams before and are familiar with the opponents’ key players.

Prance added, “This year we have way more depth having nine freshmen that are very athletic and have caught on quick, so we should be able to make it even further than we did last year, which is what we are hoping for.”

She continued, “Our biggest rival will be ABAC because they put us out in the region tournament in two very close games,”

Prance knows her teammates “are ready to get back on the field,” and she can’t wait to see what they accomplish this spring.

Freddie Beamon, GHC baseball player and sophomore, is also optimistic about his team in the upcoming season.

Beamon expects the team to be successful. “We have a great group of guys that know how to win and will do whatever it takes to do so,” he said.

Beamon’s goals are to be a good leader and do whatever he can to help the team win.

The team’s goal for the season is to win a championship. Beamon stated, “Everybody knows we’re not just trying to get to the playoffs. Coach Marra set a high bar in the fall to win a championship.”

Beamon continued, “The difference from last year is the team as a whole. You wouldn’t even recognize this team from last year’s. We have so many new guys from all over the country. It’s great because they all have the same mind-set and that’s to win.”

The annual Turkey Trot 5k, a fundraising event that is hosted by the United Way of Bartow County, took place on Nov. 22 at 8 a.m. at the Carterville Soccer Complex.

All proceeds go to United Way of Bartow County, an organization that assists individuals in the community with things such as educational and emotional support and helps disabled individuals in the community become self-supporting. Participants contribute by paying the $20 registration fee required to participate in the Turkey Trot.

Five participants finished this year’s event, three of which are students. Each participant who finished the marathon received a turkey to take home for Thanksgiving.

Scott Flynn, assistant professor of physical education and director of the Turkey Trot, stated “I think everyone who did it was glad they did. The hardest thing to do with many behaviors, especially health related, is to get off the couch and get going. Once you get going, most people are glad they did.”