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By  Travis Gupton

The Selma Times-Journal

Wallace Community College Selma honored the veterans of Selma and promoted the school on Monday morning during their Military and Veterans College and Career Workshop.

The goal of the workshop was to give Veterans the opportunity of local services and programs available through WCCS. 

WCCS President Dr. James Mitchell welcomed everyone to the event to kick things off.  He thanked the veterans for their service and said the WCCS was not only the best Community College in the State but in the world. After a moving rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by Dr. Alisa Smiley, the audience participated in a Panel Discussion. Retired Major Tony Richardson of the United States Air Force was the moderator of the panel. Dallas County Sheriff Michael Grantham was joined by Selma Career Center Manager Clifford Hunter and Alabama Power Workforce Development Coordinator Jason Watters on the panel. Grantham said he was honored to be a part of the panel and was thankful for the Veterans in Dallas County.

“Every Veteran is special,” Grantham said. “I don’t say that just because we are here they really are special. If it was not for them we would not have an opportunity to sit here and do what we are doing.”

Hunter echoed the sentiments of Grantham on how important the Veterans are for Dallas County

“I think highly of Veterans,” Hunter said. “We thank you Veterans for what you have done for us. We appreciate your service to our country. I’m just honored to be here.”

During the panel discussion, Watters talked about the relationship that honored to be here.”

During the panel discussion, Watters talked about the relationship that Alabama Power had with the community as well as the school districts in Dallas County.

“One of the best initiatives that has been extremely successful is through our high school system with the internship opportunity that we have.”

Alabama Power partnered with Dallas County High School and Selma High School as part of those internships.

After the Panel Discussion WCCS had a scholarship giveaway for the veterans in the audience. The amount for the scholarship was $2,000. WCCS spent the second half of the day talking about the step-by-step instructions should someone want to enroll and what was offered for military families. Octavia Mason and Jennifer Reynolds spent time talking on the Veteran Services as well as the Disability Services the school had in place. Lonzy Clifton finished the speaking part of the program with talking about College Credits for Past Military Experience. Families then had an opportunity to look around at some of the local agencies that were present for the workshop to see what added assistance they provided for them and their families.