This past week, Texas High offered eighth graders a CTE tour to allow kids to see how classes work and what they can offer. The classes visited on the tour were Robotics, Graphic Design, Fashion/Interior Design, Yearbook/Journalism, Health Science, Welding/Construction, Culinary, Ag/Floral/Aviation, Engineering and Tigervision.
“Currently, the eighth graders have their choice sheets right now,” assistant principal Jacquelyn Smith said. “The eighth grade tours give them an opportunity to see the actual different CTE programs that we have on campus to help aid them in making their decision.”
During the tour, each teacher presented what’s included in their class and provided incoming students with information on how they can help them gain college credit or prepare for college life.
“(We introduce) them to what we do and what the class is about first, to get them interested,” aircraft technology teacher Don Broyles said. “Also telling them that they can get up to 15 hours of college credit going through Texarkana College.”
Most freshmen, often chosen to give tours, can communicate better with the eighth graders than juniors or seniors. They know what it feels like to be new to high school, and know the areas these students need more helpful tips in.
“(The) eighth graders that are younger than me, coming to my grade, letting them know what they’re getting themselves into,” freshman Ryland Neeley said. “It also helps with learning what they need to do next year and help them out with what classes they need to choose.”
Providing these tours during school hours helps the students who weren’t able to attend Experience THS. It allows them to still get a feel of the campus while also seeing what the school offers.
“[The tour guides] helped show me around the school,” eighth grader Shylah Sabus said. “It gave me information on the classes I might want to take and a little preview of what they have to offer.”
