Our alumni are an essential part of our Raider family. Whether you walked our halls decades ago or just recently graduated, you carry forward the traditions, values, and spirit that make our school special. The friendships formed here, the lessons learned, and the experiences shared create a bond that lasts a lifetime.

We are proud of the many ways our Raider alumni continue to make an impact in their communities and professions, and we love celebrating your successes. Staying connected allows us to share your stories with current students, preserve our history, and strengthen the legacy of our school for future generations.

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Southland Academy Alumni Spotlight: Class of 2006 Jimmy Whaley

Jimmy is a 2006 graduate of Southland Academy. After graduation, Jimmy went to
Valdosta State University. After graduating from VSU with a BA in Legal Assistant Studies he went on to get Real Estate Salesperson license and Real Estate Appraisal License. He went right to work selling real estate and in 2019 he opened his own company in Americus called Whaley Realty, Inc. He has been very blessed to have the opportunity to work with 2 agents who are also Southland graduates (Mary Kathryn Davis ‘78 & John Wojnar ‘15) and also his Office Manager is a Southland graduate (Kerry Smith ‘85). While in High School Jimmy was the SGA Class President and he learned many leadership skills that he believes still help him to this day running his own business.

Jimmy has been very involved in the Americus community serving as Chairman of the
Chamber of Commerce (2020), President of the Americus Rotary Club (2018-19), President of the Smarr Smith Foundation (2017-18), President of the Americus Board of Realtors (2016-17), Chairman of the Phoebe Sumter Foundation Board (2024-Pres.), Ignite CCA Board of Directors, and serving on several other committees. Jimmy loves Americus and Sumter County and believes that it is a wonderful place to live and to raise a family. He believes that the love of community started while at Southland because of the family atmosphere that was built there.

Jimmy might not have married a Southland Graduate but it was because a Southland
Graduate that Jimmy met his wife Morgan. Alex Riccardi Turner (‘06) and Jimmy’s wife Morgan played college softball together at Reinhart University and Alex knew that Morgan and Jimmy would hit it off (she was right!) Morgan and Jimmy got married in 2016 and now have two amazing little boys JW (Hopefully 2038 Grad) & Finley (Hopefully 2040 Grad). Morgan works at Georgia Southwestern as a lecturer in the College of Education.

Jimmy believes that Southland helped mold him in many ways but being a cheerleader for our community is vitally important for the success of our small community and it all started while in high school where he won Mr. School Spirit. Teachers like Mrs. Webb, Mrs. Renee R. Moore, Mrs. Jeter pushed him to be the best he could be because they saw something in him, and he will forever be grateful for them believing in him. Southland will always hold a special place in his heart because of the relationships and the lifelong friendships that were built during his 14 years at Southland.