Students get a NASCAR experience on trip to NC

any CNC project they might come across. That gives them a chance to get into shops that will provide tuition reimbursement, or companies who need the practical technical skills of students over the longer course of academic work taken by engineers.

Especially since firms need skilled workers now.

“Over at Rome Plow, I know they have openings for CNC machinists, and I know of manufacturing facilities in Rome that have jobs they need filled right now,” Smith said. “It’s a necessity right now that’s needed, not just in the state but across the nation.”

Smith also added that students who apply for the program are evaluated and given a full rundown of what is expected of participants, including the up-front cost.

With the incentives of potentially finding a job with tuition reimbursement, Smith hopes that schools like this can give his College and Career Academy students a different option other than a four-year degree if they want to move forward, one that he might have taken himself had the opportunity been available when he was getting his engineering degree.

Smith will have Allen Ivie, Mike Lester and Christy Leatherwood along on the trip with the 39 students who he said are committed to finding educational opportunities like this as they get ready to move out of high school and onto their future careers.

“These students are an amazing and intelligent group that show a great interest in the career pathway represented by this school,” Smith said.

The field trip for CCA students was one of five that the Board of Education approved last week.

Upcoming trips will also be taken by the Rockmart High School Future Farmers of America for the national conference for students in Indianapolis, Indiana in October, along with Eastside Elementary students’ trip to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville in November to participate in the Surveyor program.

At the beginning of December, Cherokee Elementary School’s student choir in the Nashville, Tennessee, Christmas parade, which Superintendent Laurie Atkins said will be televised.

Also approved was Cedartown High School’s Theatre group trip as they to the annual Georg i a St at e Thespian Conference held in Columbus upcoming in February 2018.