Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 17, 1994 TAG: 9406180004
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By BETTY HAYDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Jackson's description may not fit all 38 vocational classes taught at Pulaski High, but it comes close.
"You learn how to think for yourself," said a shy Jackson who plans to become an electrician. "You learn there's not always going to be someone there to tell you what to do."
Jackson, one of 349 seniors who will graduate today, plans to enter the work force.
However, not all 1,112 students who take vocational courses schoolwide plan to work immediately after graduation.
Anthony Wood, president of Pulaski's Future Business Leaders of America for the past two years, took academic and vocational courses.
He will graduate second in his class, with a 4.5 grade point average - 0.009 behind the valedictorian, Phyllis Conway Leary.
Wood values the hands-on experience he's received in his business classes.
"It definitely helps to get your hands on what you're learning," he said. "You learn how to apply your education.
Kelly Simmers, for instance, plans to be an architect. He said his high school drafting courses will help him in college, and later, when he enters the profession full time.
The students said their vocational teachers provide a good learning environment.
"You're not so tense," said Charlie Ousley, a senior who has studied agricultural education. "You've got to feel at ease [to learn]."
"You're more apt to ask questions," Jackson said. "Vocational teachers amaze you with what they can do."
Vocational courses allow some students to follow their dreams.
"I've wanted to be a teacher since I was 4 years old," said senior Lori Akers.
She has taken child care classes and plans to study elementary school education at New River Valley Community College and then Radford University.
She works with 3- and 4-year-olds at the high school's day-care center, which accepts teachers' children and toddlers from the community.
"Children are people, too," Akers said. "They need the same things we do."
In addition to classes, many of the students are members of vocational clubs.
Akers is a member of the Home Economics Related Occupations and the Future Educators of America clubs.
Ousley is president of the school's FFA chapter.
Jackson, a member of Vocational and Industrial Clubs of America, has won the state competition in residential wiring and finished in the top 2 percent at the national competition last year.
He hopes to finish in the top 10 at this year's national contest in Kansas City, Mo.
Wood has also competed in national business competitions for FBLA.
The experience of traveling has been good for the students.
"It makes you able to go out on your own," Ousley said.
Some of the students have sought practical experience away from school as well.
Wood has worked in the office of Berkeley Tool. His computer experience might come in handy; Wood plans to major in computer science at Virginia Tech, with a minor in business.
Ousley does landscaping work and plans to study landscape architecture at Virginia Tech, after two years at NRCC.
Students at Pulaski received $300,000 in scholarships this year. Approximately 150 students will attend college. Ten seniors will join the military.
Pulaski County High
School Class of '94
Graduates: 349
Valedictorian: Phyllis Conway Leary
Salutatorian: Anthony David Wood
Number of scholarships: 25
by CNB