Georgia United Credit Union Awards Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy 2026 School Crashers Grant
DALTON, GA (March 17, 2026) – When you talk about impactful schools in our community, it would be hard to find one school that does more for so many in our community – like the Northwest Georgia Collee and Career Academy does. NWGCCA serves students from all Whitfield County School System high schools to build skills for a career and successful life after graduation. In addition to the Career Academy, Phoenix High operates in the facility, the Compass Academy (for disabled students) and the Newcomers Language Learning program are housed there. Summer School sessions, Summer Camps, New Teacher Orientation/Onboarding for Whitfield County Schools, and professional development sessions are also hosted there.
NWGA College and Career Academy advisory board member Brian Cooksey, nominated the school for a makeover grant with a 250-word story and a photo of rows of the well-worn wooden tables and chairs – earning one of five coveted Georgia United School Crashers projects scheduled for this summer.
Principal Sherri Travisano wrote, "We propose updates to seating and flooring in the Media Center and Commons to transform these high-traffic areas into welcoming, flexible, and engaging learning environments that serve the entire campus community. Modern, comfortable seating and durable, visually inviting flooring will support collaboration, independent study, small-group instruction, and community-building activities. By redesigning these spaces, we will create inclusive environments that promote student engagement, accessibility, and a sense of belonging for all learners while also providing staff with functional spaces for collaboration and professional growth.”
Georgia United Credit Union CEO Laura King agrees, “We are looking forward to serving our communities and strengthening our school systems through our thirteenth annual School Crashers program. This program is made possible by the Georgia United Foundation, credit union team members, generous donors, community partners and volunteers. We are especially excited about the Shoal Creek Elementary project as it is close to our Conyers Branch location, so we anticipate good volunteer support to transform this empty room into an important mental health resource.”
“Whenever members use Georgia United for a car loan, home loan or checking account, a part of those funds are given back to the community through scholarships, financial education or through programs like School Crashers that deliver inspiring learning spaces that strengthen schools. By the end of the summer, School Crashers improvements will have impacted a total of 86 schools with improvement estimated at over $3.2 million since 2014.”
Following this morning’s announcement at the school, Georgia United’s community development representatives will meet with the school to begin setting priorities and planning everything from paint and flooring to comfortable and collaborative seating options. All facility upgrades to the space will be administered during summer break to ensure that regular instruction is not impacted. The media center is scheduled to be ready for students and faculty to use by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
Funding for the School Crashers program is provided by the Georgia United Credit Union, their 501c3 charitable Foundation, and generous donations made by community partners, with labor provided by volunteers. If you or your organization would like to contribute to this summer’s makeover program, visit www.gucufoundation.org/donate. To learn more about the School Crashers program and view photos of past School Crashers recipients, visit gucufoundation.org/schoolcrashers, where additional 2026 grant recipients will be listed as they are announced during the month of March.