On Dec. 11, around 250 8th-grade students visited State High as part of the Career and Technical Center (CTC) tour. The event, which included 22 Little Lion Ambassadors, showcased 15 CTC programs, along with visits to the counseling offices and introductions to the high school administrative team.
The tour welcomed students from Mount Nittany Middle School, Park Forest Middle School, Delta, and out-of-district placements such as private charters and homeschool programs. The goal was to introduce students to the wide variety of career-focused electives available.
“I’d love for students to take away that there is something for everybody,” assistant principal Danielle Ambrosia said. “The CTC electives are really fantastic opportunities for students to, before they leave high school, try several things to help them align with their career and college goals and to get their footing beneath them if they choose to pursue that.”
This tour was incredibly useful for eighth graders, especially those who are unsure about what to expect or what to pursue in high school. It’s one thing to hear about courses like Culinary Arts, Auto Technology, or Health Professions, but actually seeing the programs in action makes a huge difference. Programs ranging from culinary arts to auto technology, building construction, and health professions, give students a chance to learn practical skills they can use in the workforce or to pursue higher education.
“I think our school has lots of really excellent resources that you can’t find in any other school nearby and having them know about it is the best way,” senior Sophia Lezhava said. “We can train kids to know what they like and be able to pursue careers and hobbies that are just really good for them and have the materials to do it.” Not every school provides such diverse opportunities, and eighth graders get to experience it firsthand.
The Career and Technical Center (CTC) programs offer something for almost everyone. Students interested in creative fields can explore Culinary Arts, Digital Media, or Fashion Design. Those who enjoy hands-on work can consider Auto Mechanics, Welding, or Building Construction. For students drawn to healthcare, options like Health Professions provide foundational skills, while aspiring entrepreneurs can benefit from the Business Management courses.
“Our school offers so many different opportunities, whether it be building construction or the million different things we have here. Hopefully they’ll find their niche and find something that they love,” Aspire Ed teacher Andrew Merritt said.
Beyond the CTC programs, State High also offers a variety of elective courses that allow students to discover new interests. Classes in art, music, world languages, and technology provide additional ways for students to broaden their horizons and develop skills that could shape their future careers or hobbies.
“I hope the eighth graders took away that they have options,” senior Lorelai St. Sauver said. “Even if they don’t necessarily sign up for a CTC course, I think seeing just how diverse the classes State High offers is really valuable as they start to think about what they want these next few years to look like.”
“I hope that they’ll see that there are so many opportunities to take advantage of. I hope that they will take advantage of those as they make their way into high school, focusing on the things that they’re really interested in,” Student Government president Luca Snyder said.
The tour provided an engaging and educational experience for eighth graders, giving them a chance to envision their future and explore their passions. By giving students a firsthand experience, the tour showed them the possibilities that await.
