It's the season for fall fun around the Millsaps Career and Technical Center at Starkville High School! On Thursday, the Center hosted its annual Fall Festival outdoors on the campus, welcoming the public and Jackets of all ages to enjoy fun games and activities in celebration of Halloween and the autumn season. The project is a yearly fundraiser for Millsaps CTE programs and featured Trunk-or-Treating with several SHS student organizations including National Honor Society, JROTC and Student Council.
Families and a steady stream of children sporting Halloween costumes participated in carnival games created by CTE students and staff. Unmanned Aviation hosted a drone version of the "big claw" where students had a first opportunity to fly a drone by remote control to retrieve their chosen cup of treats. For our younger Jackets, the Millsaps Agriculture and Life Sciences and Horticulture programs offered steer roping and the traditional "fishing" game for treats. Jack-o-lantern faces served as the holes for goofy golf in a short course created by the Construction and Welding programs. Educator Preparation students provided face painting, and the Center also hosted a Cake Walk and Haunted House, which allowed kids a glimpse inside the Millsaps classrooms. The Digital Media Technology and Business and Marketing programs provided a photo booth where CTE students used their skills and equipment to take family photos, print them and provide take-away photo frames to remember the event.
Millsaps CTC offers fourteen two-year pathways for Starkville High School sophomores, juniors and seniors. Programs include career-centered instruction led by professionals that provide hands-on project-based learning designed to help students gain experience in their chosen career pathway. Graduates who complete a two-year program have the opportunity to earn a CTE endorsed diploma provided by the Mississippi Department of Education as well as test to earn national industry certifications. Juniors and seniors in the CTE programs can also participate in the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District's work-based learning program, newly expanded this year to offer paid internships in partnership with local businesses and organizations.
Each year, Millsaps students and faculty host a collection of hands-on learning experiences for younger students to provide early career exploration and an introduction to career and technical programs targeting children as young as preschool. They also host networking opportunities to promote and expand partnership opportunities with local business and give high school students an opportunity to interact with professional partners.
