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performance, teaching and learning," said Cindy Gibson, superintendent of the Academy. Like students in other Georgia schools, students at GAB excel in team sports such as wrestling, track and field, cheerleading and goalball. Goalball is a team sport designed specifically for athletes with vision impairments. Participants compete in teams of three, and try to throw a ball that has bells embedded in it, into the opponent's goal. Gibson encourages sighted individuals to put on a blindfold and "give it a try! We would love to teach you!" Committed to serving the whole child, GAB offers wrap-around services, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, orientation and mobility, Expanded Core Curriculum, parent mentors and personalized transition services such as Project SEARCH, which stands for "Self-directed Exploration of Attainable, Realistic Careers and Happiness." "Project SEARCH is a business-led, one-year, school-to-work program that takes place entirely at the business," said Assistant Principal Alicia Jackson. "Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration and hands-on training through worksite rotations." Project SEARCH was founded in 1996 in Cincinnati, Ohio. In the GAB program, Navicent Health is the business partner providing work-readiness training for eligible students. "Students must have completed all requirements for graduation prior to beginning the Project SEARCH transition program," Jackson said. "Students rotate in three work assignment positions at Navicent during the school year, so that upon completion of the year, students have resumes of experience and references." Additionally, the school boasts a "stellar school nutrition program" provided by state and federal funds. "The focus is on nutrition and fresh fruits and vegetables daily," said Dierra Sullivan of GAB food services. The dining hall personnel "serve up a grand helping of hospitality as they customize for students with special dietary needs, too," Sullivan said. The kitchen at GAB has been updated, and the dining hall itself is the next renovation goal. A continued commitment to the expansion and improvement of the GAB campus included two renovations completed in spring 2019: the Watkins Natatorium and Reynolds Auditorium. "We all should be proud of how much the school has evolved to support students in our state with vision loss," Moore said. "The school is a true asset to our state and most importantly to the students that benefit from the services the Georgia Academy for the Blind provides." The Academy's previous pool was installed in 1958 and became defunct three years ago. The new natatorium is named for an outstanding leader and coach who retired last year, Ivan Glynn Watkins, who coached and taught physical education at the Academy for 11 years, after working with special needs children at the Bibb County School District's Butler Early Learning Center. The pool helps students in more ways than just exercise. "Some of our students have the FROM FAR LEFT: GAB STUDENTS USE THE WATKINS NATATORIUM FOR AQUATIC THERAPY AND EXERCISE. ACTIVITIES AT THE ACADEMY INCLUDE HELPING IN THE GREENHOUSE AND CHORAL PERFORMANCES. D E C E M B E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0 | MACONMAGAZINE.COM 6 3