Alex Wilkins was awarded the Successful Youth Apprenticeship Program Completer Award by the Georgia Department of Education at the annual conference of the Georgia Association of Career and Technical Education on July 13, 2013. The award is given each year to one student in the state who has demonstrated an exemplary record in high school, the workplace, and postsecondary education as part of Georgia's Youth Apprenticeship Program.

Ms. Wilkins is a 2009 Villa Rica High School graduate who was enrolled in 12 for Life, the partnership between Southwireand Carroll County Schools. While at 12 for Life, she received the Highest Grade Point Average Award and was the first student selected to work as an intern in the 12 for Life office. Since graduating, she has received her associate degree in business from West Georgia Technical College, and is currently working on her bachelor degree in business administration and management at the University of West Georgia. In December, she became a full-time employee of Southwire.

Dr. Douglas Wright, 12 for Life Coordinator, nominated Ms. Wilkins for the award and said, "Alex’s story is one of the most powerful I have seen take place at 12 for Life. To know that she moved from being a 12 for Life student, to finishing one degree and starting another, and now has her own office in the place where her high school journey began, shows what students can achieve when they are given opportunities and have the drive to succeed."