ALBEMARLE — Stanly County Schools has revealed its annual presentation on the highlights and accomplishments of the school district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) department.

At the Stanly County Board of Education meeting on May 6, CTE Director Mandy Melton provided an update on the career pathway program that adds up to 67 different course offerings within the county.

“A total of 1,518 students — 68.8% of our students — have taken or enrolled in a high school CTE course, filling 3,120 seats,” Melton said. “Also, 671 students, or 45.9%, have taken a middle school CTE exploration class. In the fall of 2024, students earned 2,563 workplace credentials. That was 75% of our credential potential for that semester.”

Additionally, 46 students are participating in the internship program, while seven students are participating in the pre-apprenticeship program.

As of this past year, SCS has introduced a new program where it advertises CTE by sending every eighth-grade student in the county a book explaining the department, complete with a list of courses offered at their high schools, descriptions of the classes, and pictures and names of instructors.

“I think that’s really helping kids go ahead and get a head start of what they like, and that’s awesome,” Board Member Meghan Almond said.

SCS also introduced three new CTE courses during the 2024-25 academic calendar year: Interior Design Studio at Albemarle High School, Electrical Trades II at North Stanly High School, and Natural Resources at South Stanley High School.

Along with classes and skills competitions, the county’s CTE department has been involved in numerous events for students, including Be Pro Be Proud (BPBP) — a national workforce development initiative focused on technical careers — and Manufacturing Day, where students were able to tour American Racing Headers, Pre-Form Line Products, Stanly Community College, and the NC Farm Bureau Livestock Arena.

Melton and the school board began the night by recognizing the county’s SkillsUSA state champions who will be heading to Atlanta, Georgia, on June 23-27 for the SkillsUSA’s National Leadership and Skills Conference.

Over 60 students represented Stanly County Schools at the SkillsUSA North Carolina Games on April 14.

West Stanly High School’s Ethan Kesegich (Auto Maintenance and Light Repair), Jaxon Kimrey (Masonry Estimating) and Hadley Herrin (Baking and Pastry) will join the school’s five Quiz Bowl winners: Erin Bigford, Raula Chenuna, Gloris Robert, Claire Sherrill and Natalie Smith.

Jasmine Brown (Firefighting Intermediate) and Michelle Starnes (Poster Design) are Albemarle High School’s two winners, while North Stanly High School’s Henry Smith (Masonry I) was also victorious in his field.

The Stanly County School Board will hold its next regular meeting on June 3 at 6:15 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.