Elementary Career Fair Helps Students Focus on Future Goals Covington, VA (March 31, 2025) - A recent career day at Jeter-Watson Elementary School demonstrates Alleghany Highlands Public Schools’ commitment to preparing students for the future.   Jeter-Watson hosted the career day for grades three, four, and five. School counselor Derek White organized the event to help give younger students a jumpstart in exploring career opportunities, including work available in the Alleghany Highlands. “Career fairs, such as the one we had today, are so beneficial for students.  They allow students to see the sorts of career opportunities that exist within their hometown.  I hope today’s career fair has sparked our students’ interest in careers they may one day pursue,” said White of the March 26 event. Students rotated to different stations highlighting careers in education, public safety, trades, health professions, and the performing arts. Principal Josh Craft represented Jackson River Technical Center, which is Alleghany Highlands Public Schools’ cornerstone for career and technical education programs. Career and technical education programs in Virginia’s public schools prepare young people for productive futures while meeting the commonwealth’s need for well-trained technical workers. CTE programs in Virginia serve more than 690,000 students in grades 6-12.    Students at Jeter-Watson benefited from participating in several informative activities, including demonstrations of drone flight and the Covington Division of Police’s K-9 unit.   A healthcare station featured Blue Ridge Partnership for Health Science Careers student ambassador Laken Cantrell, who is a senior at Alleghany High School. As a student ambassador, Cantrell serves as an outreach partner for the Blue Ridge Partnership for Health Science Careers. The student ambassadors share their personal experiences in pursuing a career in healthcare and help raise awareness of the need to improve workforce development, training, outreach and public health.   “At the career fair, I shared how healthcare careers are all about positively impacting people’s lives. Whether through physical health or mental well-being, there are so many ways to help others. It’s exciting to be on this journey, and I hope to inspire others to explore the many opportunities in healthcare,” said Cantrell.   Jeter-Watson students said the event sparked their curiosity about future career opportunities. “It was very inspiring, and the presenters were very nice. I heard about many careers that people do in our area,” said third-grade student Leah Miller. According to Alleghany Highlands Public Schools leaders like Dwayne Ross, the director of secondary education, it is important that students begin to explore career options early.  This helps students with goal setting that allows them to focus on their studies even if their career goals change.  “I was ecstatic when I first heard that Mr. White was putting this project together for Jeter-Watson Elementary school, and he did an amazing job!  This event helps spread the word and increase the interest of students by showing them the opportunities available for their futures,” Ross said.      AHPS offers many options to students as they prepare for a career after high school. These options include:  • Career-technical education programs at Covington Middle School and Alleghany High School • The Jackson River Governor’s School at Mountain Gateway Community College. • Programs at Jackson River Technical Center • Alleghany Highlands Advancement (AHA) pre-professional programs in healthcare and law • MG-TEC, a new laboratory school option at Mountain Gateway Community College for students interested in information technology • Work-based learning options, including internships managed by a dedicated work-based learning coordinator • A Jobs for Virginia Graduates (JVG) program Students with particular career interests should talk to a school counselor to receive customized suggestions for their education.   Since AHPS was formed through the merger of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools and Covington City Schools, career-focused options to students have been expanded. These new options include MG-TEC at Mountain Gateway, increased access to work-based learning, a new AHA program, the JVG program, and a restored program at JRTC (building management). On April 12, AHPS will also host its first career and transition fair at Alleghany High School from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will bring many community partners together to help students prepare for life after high school. About Alleghany Highlands Public Schools With approximately 2,700 students, AHPS was created when Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center merged in July 2022. The school division is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington.   AHPS news and events are regularly updated on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and Instagram at ahpublicschools. Information is also available at www.ahps.k12.va.us.

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