Around 220 graduating seniors of Newton College and Career Academy took a bold step toward adulthood recently by participating in the “Navigating Through Life” program—a dynamic, hands-on event designed to equip students with essential life skills on May 9.

Organized by the UGA Archway Partnership’s education and workforce development work group, the event brought together a coalition of community partners, including Newton County 4-H, Newton Community Partnership, Emory at Oxford College, Georgia State University Perimeter College, Georgia Piedmont Technical College and Newton County School System. The initiative was born from a community-identified need to better prepare students for life beyond high school.

Throughout the day, students rotated through interactive sessions covering a wide range of practical topics such as cooking, first aid, banking, insurance, household maintenance, and more. These sessions were led by local volunteers, business owners, and professionals who shared their expertise and real-world insights.

The impact of the “Navigating Through Life” event was both immediate and measurable.

An impressive 82% of participating students reported a noticeable increase in their confidence when it came to handling everyday tasks. Additionally, 78% of attendees found the sessions they participated in to be very or extremely useful, highlighting the relevance and practicality of the topics covered. Perhaps most telling of the program’s success, 98% of students said they would recommend the event to future participants, underscoring its value as a meaningful and empowering experience for graduating seniors.

Among the most popular sessions were those focused on insurance, mental health and wellbeing, self-defense and personal safety, and vehicle maintenance, highlighting the students’ desire to be prepared for both practical and personal challenges.

“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and I hope to come back one day to do the same for the younger  generation,” one student shared.

Others suggested adding more sessions or allowing more time to attend different topics.

As the program continues to evolve, organizers hope to expand its reach and impact, ensuring that every young person in Newton County is prepared with the confidence and skills to be beyond ready for the real world.