Columbia Middle School eighth-grader Chris Mosley would like to become a criminal investigator one day.

He got interested in the career from a computer program he learned about from graduation coach Deborah Domenico.

"I think she's really helpful to us," he said. "She gave us a program that looks at careers. I really use it a lot."

Introducing adolescents to employment opportunities is one goal of Columbia County's seven middle school graduation coaches.

The county hired the coaches for its middle schools this year as part of a statewide initiative to keep pupils in grades six through 12 on track to graduate on time and to prepare them for secondary education or the work force. The school system put graduation coaches in its four high schools last year.

Ms. Domenico organized a recent career day, which featured 24 people from various fields, for the Columbia Middle eighth-graders.

"This gives us a great experience because we're getting to talk to a variety of people," eighth-grader Taylor Thompson said.

Sandra Thompson, Riverside Middle School's graduation coach, said the coaches emphasized career goals because some rising ninth-graders might concentrate on vocational rather than college-preparatory classes.

"We want to expose them to all of these things so they can make an informed decision when they get to high school," she said.

The coaches brought in mentors from the community, established peer study groups, invited motivational speakers and helped pupils with study skills and setting goals.

Columbia Middle eighth-grader Kayla Bruce said she has benefited from these initiatives. She struggled in school last year, but this year Ms. Domenico helped her stay on track.

"She helped me learn how to keep up with my stuff and organize myself," Kayla said. "She helped me, and she was there whenever I needed her, and I could go to her with any question."

Greenbrier Middle School graduation coach Dolly Morris recently held a leadership luncheon for nine eighth-graders who tutored their peers in math during weekly study sessions.

The middle school graduation coaches also have worked with elementary schools to ease fifth-graders' transition to middle school and started preparing eighth-graders for high school.

"One of our main focuses this year was to start the year off with our eighth-graders and work with them and build that relationship and help them change their perspective about the importance of graduation," Ms. Domenico said.

Next year, the graduation coaches plan to devote more time to sixth- and seventh-graders.

Reach Betsy Gilliland at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.

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