health sciences, nursing, criminal justice, and information technology. Students can participate in job shadowing, paid internships, and unpaid internships, gaining valuable real-world experience. The district’s STAY program (Students Training Alliance for Youth) allows students to spend part of their school day working in local manufacturing facilities, building skills and connections that lead directly to employment. “On our signing day, companies literally offer students contracts,” Stults says proudly.“They can walk across the stage at graduation already knowing they have a career ahead of them.” These programs not only prepare students for jobs but also provide a foundation for further education, certifications, and entrepreneurial ambitions. CELEBRATING ARTS AND ATHLETICS McNairy County Schools also takes pride in its CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION: HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES One of the district’s most exciting strengths is its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, designed to prepare students for high-demand industries. Shane Stults, Director of CTE, outlines the range of pathways available: agriculture, welding, machinery, to answer the everyday studiesweekly.com/science 238 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10
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