Career Technical Education is worth your attention

By Guest Columnist 
Voncille Anderson, Principal, Pelahatchie High School

Pelahatchie High School is  proud to offer opportunities for students to gain experiences that will prepare them for the workforce. Our Career Technical Education (CTE) Programs expose students to job-related skills in technology, business, and industry while also preparing them for college. PHS offers the following programs:

●  Health Science Academy
●  Engineering Academy
●  Family and Consumer Sciences 
●  Resource Management
●  Computer Sciences
●  Agricultural and Natural Resources

These areas expose students to job-related skills, real-world scenarios, job shadowing experiences, and field trips to help them explore life beyond high school. 

This year, because of CTE, our seniors experienced a Reality Fair. During this time, members from business and industry conducted a real-world scenario for our students. They were provided a career with a salary, monthly expenditures based on their appointed lifestyle, and emergency expenses. Students were expected to budget their money and determine how much they would have left over for savings. This experience demonstrated to our students the importance of choosing the right career for the type of lifestyle they wish to live.

The Resource Management class at PHS, another CTE course, took top prize in the fall 2022 Mississippi Stock Market Game. This competition, hosted by the Mississippi Council for Economic Education (MCEE), is an innovative virtual program implemented by teachers across the state in their classrooms. The simulation is an effective learning tool about the free enterprise system for students in grades four through twelve. The program enables teams to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in the stock market over a thirteen-week period. Winners are determined on the percentage return above or below S&P 500 growth. 

Mrs. Mandy Herrington coached her students to Region 3 recognition in several areas. They were named Region 3 fist place and second place winners. The 1st place team consisted of Macey Bowman, Brayden Greene, Jabari Hodges, and Savannah Whiddon. The second place team consisted of Maggi Gilliam, Zion Jennings, and J.J. Henson. The MCEE will recognize the first and second place teams during a Stock Market Game awards ceremony on May 10 at Jackson State University. We are so proud of our students and Mrs. Herrington for achieving these top honors.

Finally, as we near the end of year one of the Engineering Academy, we reflect on the progress Mrs. Nikki Nutt and her students have made. The Engineering I course challenged our students to brainstorm, problem-solve, collaborate, think critically, and create projects throughout the year. They have explored types of engineers, constructed bridges, created 3D models, developed a prosthetic hand and built a robot. The Engineering I group will end the year with a visit to Raytheon Intelligence and Space in Forest.

If your child is interested in designing, building, problem-solving or creating, please have them consider opportunities in our CTE programs. Feel free to contact the school for more information.
Have a wonderful summer! We look forward to seeing you in August! Go Chiefs!