Career in Technical Education (CTE) programs are intended to give students new ways to follow their interests and prepare for careers. In February, CTE Month put a spotlight on the program and the 188 students involved in it, bringing awareness to Milton’s seven programs and their benefits.
In Milton, the seven CTE programs allow students who are pursuing a degree in a post-secondary school or working straight after high school to get hands on experience in those careers, according to Cooperative Coordinator Ms. Amanda Smith.
CTE Month at Milton included Check It Out Day, a Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, Fourth Grade CTE Day, “What’s for Lunch” and the CTE Olympics as well as the induction program for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).
Sophomore Alexis Reigel has been in the Agriculture CTE program for two years and said CTE Month activities are beneficial. “It shows different events to a future career leader,” she explained.
Business and industry representatives visited the high school on Feb. 7 to learn about the CTE programs for Check It Out Day, said Ms. Smith. She added that Check It Out Day allowed students to connect with potential local employers.
On Feb. 9, the Chamber of Commerce Breakfast included students and staff inviting community members to a breakfast in the Lit Cafe, said Ms. Smith. She added the Chamber of Commerce helps to “spread the greatness” of the Milton CTE Program by having a presentation about the programs. Ms. Smith said she presented the presentation to the business individuals form the community.
The CTE students went to both White Deer Elementary and Baugher Elementary for Fourth Grade CTE Day on Feb. 13, according to Ms. Smith. She added that the district’s fourth graders are introduced to jobs they might want in the future, and the high school students were able to showcase their work.
“What’s for Lunch” allowed students to invite their parents/guardians to a lunch on Feb. 21, followed by a tour of the CTE programs, said Ms. Smith.
CTE Month activities ended on Feb. 28 with the CTE Olympics, according to Ms. Smith. All CTE students competed in various tasks relating to each program, she added.
For example, hammering nails was one of the activities relating to the Construction Trades program, said Ms. Smith.
The CTE Olympics was a reward for the students for all their hard work, added Ms. Smith
Criminal Justice placed first in the Olympics, with Diversified Occupations and Entrepreneurship tied for second. Construction Trades and Early Childhood tied for third, Automotive Technology placed in fourth and Agriculture was fifth, according to CTE Paraprofessional Ms. Jennifer Mabus.
The NTHS induction ceremony took place on Feb. 5 at the high school auditorium. At that time 42 students were inducted, added Ms. Mabus.
“I think this is important because it recognizes the academic achievements of the CTE students who are doing well, not only in their CTE courses but in their other courses as well,” said Ms. Mabus.
