By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Pioneer Career and Technology Center School in Shelby opened their doors to the public Thursday afternoon for Community Day.
Buses shuttled attendees from the parking lot to the event which featured a classic car show, music from performing arts students as well as sidewalk chalk, a duck pond, and bouncing ball races for the kids.
Pioneer Communications and Job Leads Coordinator Katie Stone helped organize the event.
“It is our community and alumni appreciation day. We haven’t been able to do one in a couple of years, they haven’t done one since 2011, 2012,” Stone said. “So we really wanted to get the community out here, see what Pioneer does, and what better way than to offer a car show, dinner, tours, and kids’ activities.”
“Of course we have our levy (which) is going to be on the ballot in November, and when people realize what kids are learning and what they are doing in school and after school they are more inclined to support us,” Stone continued. “Being a career technical school we don’t have sports, we don’t have your typical things that parents come for. So we want to make sure that they could come and see what we are doing. Our labs are open, demonstrations are going on, and services are provided.”
Activities weren’t just confined to the outside of Pioneer. As visitors went indoors on the campus they were greeted with open labs and displays of what the students do on a daily basis.
Students in the Cosmetology Department provided styling, manicures, and pedicures. Food Science had meats on sale for the event
During the program the horticulture lab and greenhouse were open later than normal with bouquets of flowers for sale. Student Charlotte Linger was putting together a corsage.
The Media Department had students’ photographs and digital artwork on display. Also on display was the video production studio that is used for the student-run Pioneer Rocks program.