THIS IS THE REAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 16, 1993                   TAG: 9302160162
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
THIS IS THE REAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK
Some schools jumped the gun and observed Vocational Education Week last week, but this is the real week.
Wednesday, Blacksburg Mayor Roger Hedgepeth will sign a proclamation to that effect, declaring this week as the week of the vocational education student.

In Blacksburg, the high school students have several activities going. The main goal is "to promote vocational education and get more involvement," said Kevin Early, president of Future Homemakers of America. "We want to get the teachers behind vocational education, and want them to know about all the wonderful things going on."
To make businesses and the public aware of vocational education week, students have called different businesses and shops to put advertisements on their marquees, said Karey Bishop, co-president of Vocational Industrial Clubs of America.
"Without the community support, vocational education wouldn't be as successful as it has been," said Melissa Parcell, also a co-president in VICA.

At Blacksburg Middle School, vocational teachers are hoping to increase awareness of the vocational programs at the school.
"Vocational education is changing even as we speak," said agriscience teacher Posey Jones. "The workplace is forcing a lot of change because of the technologies of today - the students need to keep up."
Blacksburg Middle School students are required to take keyboarding - the modern version of typing. Other vocational courses offered include agriscience, teen living (used to be called home economics), technology education, health occupations and business.
One of the vocational projects under way is the construction of a recirculating aquaculture system, which will enable pupils to learn about fish farming. This is yet another example of businesses and schools working together to help teach young people.
The Montgomery County Farm Bureau paid for the project and Virginia Tech provides student teacher Bryan Ashby to assist with the project.
"Vocational education is very important because it gives the children a sense of worth so they can do well in everything else they try," said teen living instructor Cheryl Mimbs.

Christiansburg Middle School is celebrating vocational education week with the theme, "Skills for a Lifetime." All parents are invited to the school to see what their child does in vocational classes.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB