Cartersville Student Becomes Published Illustrator at 18

This May, 322 seniors became the first full graduating class of Georgia Connections Academy, the state’s highest academic performing completely online K-12 public charter school which opened a high school in 2011.

These seniors racked up $746,000 in scholarships and now they have one other distinction: Their classmate Jacob Satterfield, now a freshman at Georgia Highlands College’s Cartersville campus, is a professional published book illustrator.

Jacob’s first book, titled “Be Kind Shouted the Mime” by Otter, published by Yawn in Canton, teaches a message important to many students. “The book is about being kind, even when it’s not easy to be kind,” said Jacob. “I think words really match the illustrations.”

The endeavor took lots of illustrations, many which didn’t make it into the book. It wasn’t something Jacob sought out but accepted as a challenge because “I like taking risks,” he said.

“When opportunity comes my way, I’m not hesitant to open the door,” Jacob told Donna Harris at the Daily Tribune News.

“We are very proud of our graduates. Any student from any county in our state can attend Georgia Connections Academy, a free virtual K-12 charter school,” said Executive Director Heather Robinson.

The book’s subject ties in with October, a month students concentrate on preventing bullying of classmates.

“Many parents and students explore online virtual schooling to seek an alternative environment for learning. They find a place to excel and explore, with all the benefits of a traditional school, like field trips and proms. But the individualized learning and the virtual setting helps many blossom,” said Executive Director Robinson.

Obviously, it clearly worked well for Jacob Satterfield. More can be found out about GACA at www.GeorgiaConnectionsAcademy....