The West Carroll Special School District celebrated its second annual EPSO Week Oct. 21-25 with a variety of activities that included all three of its schools.
The week is a statewide Tennessee Department of Education event meant to increase awareness in Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSOs). EPSOs allow students to earn college credit and industry certifications while in high school and show the link between education and career readiness.
West Carroll’s Elementary and Primary Schools participated during the week by dressing in their favorite college shirts and career wear and listening to high school student speakers from occupation related clubs.
West Carroll Jr./Sr. High School’s Manufacturing Day on Oct. 25 featured booths set up by more than 20 local manufacturers and businesses, along with school career-related clubs.
This year’s Manufacturing Day opened with keynote speaker Chad Pinson, project director at the Huntingdon and Franklin plants of Granges Americas Inc., (formerly Norandal), which produces aluminum.
Born and raised in Carroll County, Pinson has been with the plant for 24 years in several different positions, and is currently overseeing the $100 million dollar plant expansion in Huntingdon. He talked with juniors and seniors about his own work experience and skills they can acquire for the job market through educational and personal development.
All of the school’s students toured exhibit booths set up in the gym and spoke with business and industry representatives about what they do and what they consider when hiring employees.
Participating businesses included: Centennial Bank; Stribling Equipment; the UT Martin Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources; S.M. Lawrence; Ace Electric; Bethel University; Carroll County Health Department; UT Martin Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; the National Guard; Tennessee Department of Transportation; Milan Fire Department; Granges Americas Inc.; the University of Tennessee Extension program; Allegion; the U.S. Marines; Carroll County Technical School; Baptist Healthcare; Tennessee College of Technology – McKenzie; NHC of Milan; Leaders Credit Union; and Tennessee Tractor. School clubs that participated included: Future Farmers of America (FFA); Future Health Professionals (HOSA); Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).
