Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan made his way around Troup County on Monday. 

Duncan attended Wellroot Family Services’ ribbon cutting and visited both Long Cane Middle School and THINC College & Career Academy. 

He was followed by an entourage of other officials including Rep. Randy Nix, Troup County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Shumate, Callaway Foundation President Tripp Penn and others.  

During his time at LCMS, Duncan was greeted by a classroom full of guests and student members of the Men in Distinction program. According to a press release from the Troup County School System, sixth through eighth graders shared with Duncan their aspirations and what they enjoy about Long Cane. Additionally, Duncan spoke on the foster care population in Troup County.

After Long Cane, Duncan celebrated with Wellroot, a leading child welfare agency in Georgia, for the opening of its new office location at the Western Heights Baptist Church Youth Building. 

“We are here because the difference we can make in these lives, in these kids, in these families,” said Duncan at the ribbon cutting. “You understand the trajectory of this community by being involved and engaged.” 

The group then went on to visit THINC to take a tour of the facility and observe classes taking place in the industry-certified healthcare lab and other classrooms. Duncan got to hear first-hand experiences from students who are enrolled in different pathways at the academy. 

“It was fantastic,” said THINC CEO Kathy Carlisle. “We wanted him to see the public, private partnership [with the academy.] Lt. Gov. Duncan was able to communicate with us back and forth on how we did this.” 

The group finished the day off discussing the future of college and career academies in Georgia.