The Kosciusko-Attala Career Technical Center offers programs for “nontraditional students” —students who have interest in working outside of fields primarily dominated by their gender.
In fact, individuals in these programs comprise less than 25 percent of those employed in that particular field of work from their gender. For example, female students are studying automotive service technology, construction technology, welding, and agriculture. Nontraditional male students can enroll in the CTC teacher academy, often more popular with female students.
This year, nine female nontraditional students — Jailynn Riley, Mason Kyzer, Makyla Greenwood, Tayler Stewart, Karmen Cockrell, Jaterika Merritt, Jersey Reed, Shawnessey Martin, and Kabrea Riley — have been learning about their fields of interest and getting plenty of hands-on experience.
Riley, a McAdams student going into 11th grade, completed the two-year agriculture program under instructor Kenneth Georgia. She said she originally signed up as a way to receive her high-school science credits but ended up falling in love with the program. Her favorite part has been studying horticulture, the practice of garden cultivation and management. Actively involved in Future Farmers of America at McAdams, Riley said her knowledge of agriculture has greatly improved through growing plants in the CTC greenhouse and assisting at the local farmers’ market. She also gained connections through networking and sharing her interests.
“This program offers more of a hands-on experience, not just in the classroom, but also in the community,” she said. “I've been offered different opportunities when it comes to networking and meeting new people in the agriculture field.”
Riley said her favorite memory was seeing how agriculture impacted the community.
“I’m thankful for the amount of people I've met and the opportunities that have been provided to me. I saw how the things I do make an impact in my community. For example, each year we went to the local elementary schools and taught kids about animals and plants. Just seeing how they learned and found it to be interesting was very nice,” she told The Star-Herald.
Other students in Georgia’s agriculture program include Tayler Stewart, Kabrea Riley, Shawnessey Martin, Jersey Reed, and Mason Kyzer.
Stewart, a McAdams graduate attending Holmes Community College in the fall, said she was able to plant produce in the greenhouse such as greens, squash, and watermelons, but one of the most important things she learned was confidence.
“I was able to gain more communication skills because I really didn't talk a lot at school. While we're here, we get more involved with other students. With my new confidence level, I'm able to talk in front of people a lot more and I'm not as shy as I once was,” she said.
Kabrea Riley, a Kosciusko High School student going into the 10th grade, joined the agriculture program because of her love for animals and her interest in animal science. Riley completed her first year of the program and has another remaining. She also credited herself as being naturally shy, but said Georgia was able to help her break out of her shell.
“I used to be a shy butterfly and get nervous when it came to talking to people. Mr. Georgia helps me with my public speaking, and he is the best teacher,” she said.
Shawnessey Martin completed Georgia’s two-year agriculture program and will enter 11th grade this upcoming school year. In the program, she dealt with many plants and animals. Specifically, she recited the names of many plants, learned how to plant and grow produce, attended livestock shows, and even executed a dissection. In her future, she would like to study law or join the Air Force.
Mason Kyzer, a future 10th grader at KHS, said that the agriculture program helped her build confidence and gain a lot of friends. She learned a lot about animals but discovered that she was interested in anatomy. Throughout the program, she decided that she wanted to study anatomy further and become a registered nurse or surgeon in her future.
Jersey Reed, another future 10th grader at KHS, said that she joined the program to get more valuable, hands-on experience. She encourages younger students who may be interested in nontraditional learning to follow their dreams.
Jaterika Merritt, going into 11th grade at Ethel High School, has been a part of the construction technology program under instructor James Hodges. Growing up, she was inspired watching her father build new decks amongst other things around the house. With interest in construction, she knew she’d found the right program. In the construction science program, she built chairs, benches, birdhouses, and a Christmas tree stand.
Construction science student Jaterika Merritt poses with her circular saw.
Landon Gibson / The Star-Herald
Karmen Cockrell, an entering senior at KHS, is going into her second year in the automotive service technology program. Like Merritt, she was inspired by her father when she used to watch him work on small engines for lawn mowers and four-wheelers.
“As I was growing up, I used to go to my dad’s shop to sit and watch him, so when it came time to go back to school, I saw there was an automotive program. I always knew that was what I've always wanted to do, so I decided to give it a try,” she said.
Cockrell said she replaced a truck motor, aligned and balanced tires, changed oil, and put a transmission back together while learning all of its parts.
“I actually fell in love with it. I love working with my hands and tools, getting into vehicles, and helping people. You might find people on the roads that need help. Instead of seeing somebody pulled over on the side of the road and not knowing how to help them, you can know exactly what to do and what's wrong,” she said.
CTC counselor Tracy Hardy said that nontraditional students are usually the ones who come in and work the hardest because they know they have to work a little harder to get ahead. In her 29th year, her favorite part of the experience is watching the students’ growth.
“Watching them grow is really the biggest thing for me; that's why I'm here. This is my 29th year, and I'm not planning on going anywhere because I love to see them prosper,” Hardy told The Star-Herald.
Hardy said she has even run into former nontraditional students around town years later and they tell her they are in their current careers due to their involvement at the career center.
“I don't think there's anything more rewarding as an educator than seeing your students do well,” she said.
