Seeking to learn more about the educational opportunities offered to students, Missouri Governor Mike Parson visited the Four Rivers Career Center on Thursday, March 11.
Some of Gov. Parson’s major initiatives align with what is happening at the Four Rivers Career Center, as far as preparing students to be career ready and workforce ready with innovative course work and technical education.
“It was a tremendous honor for our students and staff for the governor to be here,” said Four Rivers Career Center Director Andy Robinson. “It validates the importance of career and technical education to these students and shows the importance not only to the community, but to our students that someone of his stature is passionate about the skills and education needed to be workforce ready. His visit was about our students and what they are doing here on a daily basis.”
Parson has emphasized the importance of educational opportunities, such as technical skills that are taught at the Four Rivers Career Center, that are waiting for students following high school. He has stated that Missouri has many technology-related jobs that need to be filled.
“We are delighted that Governor Parson joined us to observe some of the innovative opportunities the students have here in the School District of Washington and surrounding area, as we prepare them for college, work and life after high school,” said School District of Washington Superintendent Dr. Lori VanLeer. “Here, we believe there is a home for everyone, with much to explore and learn. Over the past several years, we have worked hard to ignite passion, instill a joy of learning, and provide our students with real world, workforce readiness skills and attributes that position them for their future.”
Gov. Parson visited many of the programs at the Career Center and spoke to students during his visit that lasted nearly an hour. A select few students from each program had the opportunity to tell him about their respective programs. Those students were:
Engineering – Clairese Kluba
Machine Tool – Nate Harbath
Carpentry – Rory Jacquin
Auto Technology – Andrew Edgington
Collision Repair – Matt Strugari
Welding – Seth Ruether
Health Occupations: Grace Trentmann and Madison Wilken
CAPS Business: Davis Gruber and Jesse Boeser
CAPS Teaching Careers: Emily Frick, Raeanne Pecka and Abby Redd
Serving as tour guides for Gov. Parson were FRCC students Emma Duncan, Delaney Seffken, Luke Kroeter and Jack Sullentrup. Grace Hoerstkamp and Abbie Kipp were handling social media responsibilities.
The governor has stressed to students his commitment to workforce development and to not only take advantage of the educational opportunities offered to them facilities such as the Career Center, but also to consider the importance of setting a good example for younger students to emulate.
Gov. Parson was informed about the newly developed Youth Registered Apprenticeship Program at Four Rivers Career Center, which held its inaugural signing day event in late February.
A total of 33 FRCC students in various programs from high schools throughout the area signed on and were hired by local companies in their respective fields of study.
“At the younger levels, beginning in the upper elementary grades and also in grades 7-10, students need a greater opportunity to explore academic content in a way they never have before,” VanLeer said. “Anytime we can provide exposure to relevant learning, teach students the meaning of collaboration, solve problems together, and expose students to concepts and skills that lead to real world opportunities, we create early wins for our students.”
Photos of Gov. Parson’s visit to the Four Rivers Career Center are below.
Click here for additional photos from the visit.
Serving as tour guides of the Four Rivers Career Center during Governor Mike Parson’s visit, from left, were Luke Kroeter, Emma Duncan, Delaney Seffken and Jack Sullentrup.
