On the evening of September 26th, Kossuth High School hosted its very first Community and Career Involvement meeting in the school's library at 5:30 PM. This inaugural event lasted for about half an hour and featured information on vocational classes and organizations that are available at KHS and KMS. KMS Cyber Foundations II instructor, Whitney Callahan, gave everyone a preview into what her 7th graders learn throughout her class. From coding and typing to other technical skills and communications that lay the groundwork for future career opportunities. KHS Keystone instructor, Julie Mitchell, gives 9th graders a better look into the 16 career clusters through hands-on and project-based learning. Mr. Brad Gillmore continued the conversation with a look into his Agriculture classes and what students gain from enrolling in 1 of his 4 courses. When Gillmore’s students aren’t in the classroom receiving face-to-face instruction, they’re spending class time on the farm where they’re gaining hands-on, real-life experience. Wrapping up our CTE class offerings was Mrs. Cindy Killingsworth who teaches Family Dynamics. By enrolling in Mrs. K’s class, students gain knowledge and skills that they can use throughout their entire life. From communication skills all the way to cooking skills, students are able to use these skills throughout life, on into a career.
To kick us off with organizations, KHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) president, Michael Acceturra, shared about the amazing opportunities offered through FBLA. Future Farmers of America (FFA) president, Ali Newman, shared about her experience in FFA, as well as how participating in this organization has given her more confidence and prepares her for the future through competitions. Before moving on, Mr. Gillmore introduced KHS alumni, Sayde Potts. Sayde is a KHS graduate and was an active member of the FFA. Sayde continued her agricultural career in the world of education. She is an instructor at Northeast Mississippi Community College. Sayde spoke about her time in FFA and spent a few minutes talking about the agricultural programs offered at NEMCC. She mentioned that President Ford and the staff at NEMCC is working to increase ag opportunities. She is very excited to serve as a committee member on the KHS Community and Career Involvement team as we work together to increase student and community opportunities.
To wrap us up, we had two very special guests from the community. First, Mrs. Traci Johnson, representing the Magnolia Regional Health Center (MRHC), delivered an informative presentation on the concept of "job shadowing." Job shadowing provides students with a unique opportunity to gain practical insights into various professions by observing and interacting with experienced professionals. It's a way to explore potential career paths. Following Mrs. Johnson's presentation, Landon Hudson, a former Kossuth student, shared his personal experiences as an apprentice at Hago Automotive. An apprenticeship, he explained, is a hands-on learning experience that allows students to acquire skills and knowledge while working in a real-world setting.
The event was organized by ASD Career Coach Taylor Johnson with the aim of helping the Kossuth community and families understand the diverse opportunities available to high school students. If you missed this event, rest assured that there will be more opportunities in the future to explore and learn about career options.
If you would like more information on joining the Kossuth Community and Career Involvement Committee, please reach out to Mrs. Taylor Johnson via email at taylorjohnson@alcornschools.org