THOMASVILLE — A new year brings fresh faces to Thomas County Central High School. And not all of these belong to students.

TCCHS welcomes secretarial position hires Alisha Wiggins and Bobbie Barlow. Wiggins is the guidance office secretary. Barlow is secretary to the athletic director.

Wiggins has a diploma in computer information systems. She began her Yellow Jacket career as a Thomas County Board of Education receptionist in 2017. From there, she transferred to TCCHS.

“When offered the position as guidance secretary at my alma mater, I felt that it would be a great fit for me with endless opportunity for personal growth,” Wiggins said.

Wiggins graduated from TCCHS in 1996. Her son Chris graduated from the school in 2018. TCCHS is in her family’s DNA.

“Not only did my son and I graduate from TCCHS, but also my sisters, three nephews, and one niece,” Wiggins said. “I also have a niece who will graduate in 2021 and a nephew who will graduate in 2024. Our family has always been proud to be Yellow Jackets, and I am honored to now be a part of the Yellow Jacket family.”

Her job entails various daily tasks such as assisting counselors, administrators, teachers, parents and students with requests for items like transcripts and records.

“I most look forward to working with the students, as I have always enjoyed being involved with my son’s schools as he progressed through the Thomas County Schools system over the years,” she said.

TCCHS Junior Counselor Richard Gainey calls Wiggins a great asset to the guidance office.

“She has jumped right in to help us in every way possible as well as learning everything she needs to know about the ins and outs of the guidance office,” he said. “Having someone like Ms. Wiggins definitely makes the guidance office’s everyday tasks run as smoothly as possible.”

Wiggins’ mantra is from 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

“I have always believed that we were put here to love and support one another,” Wiggins said. “I believe that if we truly love one another, we can overcome any obstacles we are faced with and help others to overcome as well. I have witnessed and been a part of this all of my life.”

Barlow transferred from Hand-In-Hand Primary School, where she worked as a support teacher. Also a TCCHS alumna – she graduated in 2000 – Barlow’s been an employee of Thomas County Schools since 2013.

“I am excited to return to my roots and be part of a wonderful and inviting atmosphere,” she said.

Barlow is married to husband Billy, and they have three daughters: Hannah, 19, who graduated TCCHS in 2019; Alyssa, 16, a junior at TCCHS; and Brae, an 11-year-old seventh-grader at Thomas County Middle School. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family, camping and fishing.

She reports directly to TCCHS Athletic Director Sam Holland. He said Barlow helps keep him straight.

“She is a huge help to me in solving all the everyday problems that arise,” Holland said. “Just keeping me straight is a full-time job! Our athletic programs would not and could not survive without all that she does!”

Some of Barlow’s other responsibilities include maintaining all athletic teams’ rosters, ensuring eligibility for student-athletes, assigning workers for home athletic events, handling requests from the Georgia High School Association, documenting and updating athlete physicals, emailing faculty and staff regarding athletic travel and information, and verifying and submitting GHSA hardship applications.

“I enjoy working behind the scenes and making sure everything comes together and that our athletes get to do what they love,” Barlow said.

Inside the classrooms are other fresh faces, including DaFanee Hill, a special education paraprofessional. She earned degrees in phlebotomy, criminal justice and CNA from Southern Regional Technical College (then Southwest Georgia Technical College). Currently, she’s working toward a degree in special education.

The oldest of seven siblings, Hill is a single mother of two children: son Christian and daughter Cheyenne.

“I first started volunteering when my son was in preschool, and I fell in love with the children,” Hill said of her shift to education. “I knew then that I wanted to teach, so I became a substitute, then a paraprofessional.”

Hill’s worked with Thomas County Schools since 2015 and transferred to TCCHS from Hand-In-Hand Primary School, where she worked in inclusion and self-contained classrooms.

“I am very grateful and excited to have the opportunity to work with older children,” she said. “My duties consist of assisting with teaching, assignments and anything that needs attention. I take data, support students who need help and assist the teacher in maintaining classroom order.” 

Her goal is for students to leave her care with a good education, knowing someone cares about them and realizing they can do anything to which they set their minds. 

One teacher Hill assists is Mary Guy.

“She is a great asset to my math class with reviewing student data, helping students with completing work, and she has a kind heart to help any student who is in need of help…,” she said. “I’m enjoying her help within my classroom, and I can see my students enjoying the idea of having an extra person to go to when in need!”

In her spare time, Hill is a self-professed bookworm.

“I enjoy reading very much,” she said. “It comforts me when I’m sad, happy, tired, or just want to escape.”

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Another new face in a supporting role around the TCCHS campus is Chris Wright, a father and a U.S. Air Force veteran. A 2004 graduate of Cairo High School who currently attends Albany State University, he previously worked at Chattahoochee County High School. At TCCHS, Wright works as a girls’ basketball coach and in the In-School Suspension room.