Education

Byhalia students tour Georgia Pacific plant

By CHARLES JOHNSON

Byhalia students and teachers traveled to Oxford last week to tour the Georgia Pacific Plant. They were met by Mike Reardon, plant manager, and escorted to the board room for orientation. They were first told about what goes on at the facility, afterwhich, they were shown a video of plant operations. Teachers and students asked several questions before taking the tour. Reardon answered all questions before the tour began.

He stated that Georgia Pacific has 400 plants nationwide. They make plywood, paper, bathroom tissue, paper plates and all tops for tables, desk and other furniture. He stated that they used to employ 300 people, but now that they have so much technology, they only employ 105 people.

Most of the work is now done by computer, so they no longer needed the other 195 people. This industry has been in business since 1930 and has grown by leaps and bounds. Anyone wanting to work at this facility must have good computer skills and be able to follow directions, Reardon said. They have three shifts and the facility runs 24 hours a day.

He showed us how the materials are bar coded and labeled for shipping.

The tour was very exciting and the students observed things they have not seen before.

Many objectives were met for the Occupational Diploma on this trip. Johnson would like to thank Reardon on behalf of Brian Taylor, principal of Byhalia High, Marvia Kilgore, director of Special Services, Don Randolph, Superintendent of Marshall County Schools and Reardon for allowing such an informative tour.

Honored
During a recent awards ceremony held at Olive Branch High School, Allie McClatchy, daughter of John and Courtney McClatchy of Red Banks, received several academic, athletic and school honors. She was in the senior class top ten with a final class rank of third in a class of 353 students. She was also voted Most Athletic Girl, inducted into the OBHS Hall of Fame, and received Miss OBHS honors. After graduation in May, Allie plans to attend Mississippi State University in the fall.

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