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School program helps students dress for success as they enter the workforce

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — Lumpkin County High School has a program that provides formal clothes to students for job interviews. The students are given brand-new clothes free of charge when needed for an interview for a prospective job.

“You know, I came into school today in jeans and a T-shirt. I would not go to an interview like that because that would not be a good first impression. Right?” Jackson Knepper, high school senior, said.

Lumpkin County High School aims to make sure its students are “dressed for success.”

The school has even converted a classroom to resemble the showroom of a department store. Their students are able to peruse through clothing items before making a selection.

“I love it. I think if anybody needed anything, our school has always been good at setting us up for any opportunities we’re handed. To be able to come into a room and have an outfit — head to toe — is really good,” Makayla Caldwell, high school senior, said.

The “store” is filled with clothes that were bought with donations from area businesses and residents. The groups chipped in nearly $20,000, which was used to purchase clothing for the students.

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This is the first stop for many students at Lumpkin High when preparing for an interview for a job or internship.

The staff at Lumpkin High is aware of the needs filled by a place like this on campus.

“You’ve got to make sure you have the correct uniform, the correct clothing, the correct tools even. We had a student who got a job at a car dealership in the service department. At a dealership, most mechanics are required to have your own tools that you bring to work,” school administrator Jason Lemley said.

The school stepped up to help the student and bought the tools needed for the job.

The center is called the “Triple A Center.” It stands for aim, achieve and arrive.