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Central High Hosts Early Graduate and Technical Education Fair for All Three HSD High Schools
The Hazelwood School District along with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers worked together to present HSD students an opportunity to learn about post-graduate opportunities at the “Early Graduate and Technical Education Fair.”
The event took place in the small gymnasium at Central High School and was open to all HSD students, with West High and East High students being bussed to the Central High campus.
There were an array of representatives from many different industries, including healthcare, carpenters, firefighters, postal workers, and many more. Among the companies represented were Amazon, Boeing, FedEx, PepsiCo,TotalAccess Urgent Care, and the USPS.
HSD Board Member Sylvester Taylor II attended the event on behalf of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and urged students to utilize this resource because there are companies screaming for them post-graduation. “We really worked hard to bring a diverse group of employers here to HSD,” Mr. Taylor said. “We want to show them that there is life after high school and, hopefully, they can find a job when they are ready.”
For the employers in attendance, it was critical for them to let the students know that they are valuable assets to the community and to the workforce.
“It’s really important that we mold and support local talent that wants to do this, especially as tech becomes a major field in this country but really specifically in this region,” NPower Missouri recruiter, Tia Byrd said. “We want to make sure students have access to these opportunities.” NPower is a company that trains young adults in the world of IT, this includes working with hardware, programming, as well as cybersecurity.
Meanwhile, students across the district were excited to see what opportunities were available and how learning from the presentations could expand their entrepreneurial goals.
“When I first saw a career fair, I was like ‘do I want to go?’ Then I was like, I really need to start planning a future,” Hazelwood East Senior, Uriah Grant said. “Being here today brought me so many decisions, I think differently now. There’s a whole lot in the world you can do. I want to go learn a trade, I want to go be something.”
Uriah and his brother Jeremiah want to start planning a brotherhood business. “We want to go above and beyond, do whatever we can,” Uriah emphasized. “I want to make sure everything is set and prepared for me so I can be successful and take care of my momma.”
Along with the plethora of employers in attendance, St. Louis Community College was also welcomed to present educational opportunities to HSD students. Their representatives highlighted the more than 80 programs they offer, including their dual enrollment college program that allows high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to begin to receive college credits.
The representatives stayed busy during the three-hour event, and there was something for everyone at the “Early Graduate and Technical Education Fair.”