Partners Advancing Student Success

09/02/2026

💙 Meet Makayla.

Every story of growth, resilience, and success matters — and we’re grateful Makayla chose to share hers with us.
In this testimonial, Makayla shares her experience with PASS and the impact it has had on her journey. Her story is a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do: to support, empower, and help create meaningful opportunities for the people we serve.

✨ Thank you, Makayla, for sharing your story and allowing us to be part of your journey!

Empowerment MakingADifference

08/29/2026

Spreading the mission of PASS at JAM in the Park this beautiful Saturday at Temple Rec! 🌳☀️💙
Connecting with our community, sharing our mission, and making an impact, one conversation at a time! 🙌✨

08/28/2026

✨ Board Member Spotlight ✨

We’re proud to spotlight Dr. Lakiesa Rawlinson, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the University of West Georgia and a valued member of the PASS Board! 💙

With 16+ years in higher education, Dr. Rawlinson is passionate about student success, equity, inclusion, engagement, and well-being. She holds a Ph.D. in P-16 Counseling and Social Justice from the University of Georgia and has held leadership roles across the University System of Georgia.

Beyond her professional work, Dr. Rawlinson serves with organizations including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, SACSA, NASPA, and Don’t Be a Bully Foundation. She was also recently appointed to SACSA’s Strategic Planning Committee.

👏🏾 PASS is grateful for Dr. Rawlinson’s leadership, expertise, and commitment to helping others achieve their goals!

08/26/2026

Shoutout to our PASS Board Member, Hannah James, for helping make a meaningful connection for our students! 👏

Hannah secured a guest speaker, Dusty Villatoro, a Tanner ER nurse, to speak with students Mount Zion High School. Dusty took time out of his day off to share the importance of bilingual speakers in today’s workforce and the many opportunities that come with being bilingual. 🌎💙

We are so thankful to Hannah and Dusty for investing in our students and helping prepare them for success beyond the classroom!

CommunityPartner

08/24/2026

08/21/2026

✨ Ladies Night Out was one for the books! ✨

What an incredible evening filled with laughter, connection, generosity, and so much community spirit! 💕 We’re still smiling thinking about all the fun and unforgettable moments from the night.

And trust us—you’re going to want to see the photos! 📸
We’ll be releasing the full Ladies Night Out album on Facebook, so make sure you’re following us there so you don’t miss it! 💗

💃

08/20/2026

✨Thankful Thursday ✨

Today, PASS is taking a moment to celebrate the incredible community members and organizations who continue to show up for our students! 🙌🏽

A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Rosa Gonzales and the MG Foundation for donating two large boxes filled with large and small 3-ring binders and clothing items. These may seem like simple necessities to some, but they make a HUGE difference in the daily teaching and learning experience for our students. Mrs. Ashley Hart was able to provide several of her Biology students with new binders for the school year, and we are so grateful! 📚💙

A special shout-out to the Golden City Cruisers in Villa Rica for their generous fall semester food and snack donation! They have been devoted supporters of VRHS students for many years, and we truly appreciate their continued kindness. 🍎🍿

We are also incredibly thankful for our wonderful community partners who helped us refill our closet and stock up for the new school year, including First Baptist Church of Villa Rica, the Villa Rica & Temple Kiwanis Club, community members of THS, and Journey Fellowship Baptist Church.

First week of school, and Villa Rica First Baptist Church is already making sure our students are not forgotten with their generous snack donation. MZ also received the first snack donation of the year from Journey Fellowship Baptist Church! ❤️

At PASS, we know that strong community relationships create stronger opportunities for our students. Every donation, every act of kindness, and every helping hand matters.

Thank you for believing in our students and supporting their success! 💙

08/19/2026

🌟 PASS Board Member Spotlight: Vanessa Musick 🌟

Meet Vanessa Musick, Marketing and Community Outreach Coordinator for 3:16 Healthcare and a dedicated member of the PASS Board!

A Carrollton native and proud Carrollton High School and University of West Georgia alumna, Vanessa returned to her hometown in 2021 after gaining healthcare experience with Emory Healthcare. Today, she serves her community through PASS, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, and Be The Light Medical Missions.

Vanessa lives in Carrollton with her husband, Adam, and their two children, Charlee and Christian. We’re grateful for her passion for our community and honored to have her serve on the PASS Board! 💙

08/15/2026

Celebrating connection and the future of our Carroll County students! 💙

PASS was proud to be part of the Carroll County Schools Senior Expo, connecting with students, while celebrating the incredible opportunities ahead for our seniors. We’re honored to advocate, support, and help our students take their next steps with confidence.

FutureReady

08/14/2026

💕 “Ladies Night Out is so much more than a fundraiser — it’s a celebration of what our community can accomplish when people come together for a common purpose.”

We’re incredibly grateful to see Partners Advancing Student Success (PASS) of West Georgia and our Ladies Night Out event featured by The City Menus!
Together, our amazing community of supporters helped us raise more than $94,000 to support student advocacy programs serving local schools. With more than 300 guests joining us for an evening of fashion, shopping, fun and philanthropy, it was truly a night to remember! ✨

But the impact goes far beyond one evening. Every dollar raised helps PASS remove barriers for students, provide critical resources and help young people stay on the path to graduation.

And the results speak for themselves: 324 students were served last school year, with 100% of participating seniors graduating. 🎓💙

Thank you to every sponsor, boutique, volunteer, model, donor and guest who made Ladies Night Out possible — and thank you to The City Menus for sharing our story and helping shine a light on the incredible impact our community is making!
This is what happens when a community comes together for our students. 💕✨

PASS Celebrates Another Year of Impact for Local Students https://thecitymenus.com/2026/08/12/pass-celebrates-another-year-of-impact-for-local-students/