HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Over 1,100 10th-grade students descended on the campus of Wallace State Community College for the annual Spring Showcase this week. The event gave sophomores from eight area high schools the opportunity to explore the various Liberal Arts, Applied Technology, Health and STEM programs available at the college.
“We are delighted to host area students for this event each year, and to provide them an introduction to our campus and the many opportunities Wallace State offers,” said Kristen Holmes, Vice President for Students.
Stacey Sivley, Director of Dual Enrollment and Recruiting at Wallace State, said the event plays an important role in helping high school students explore the different career opportunities available to them.
“The Spring Showcase is a chance for high school students in our area to discover various paths they might not have considered before,” said Sivley. “This event plays an important role in getting students excited about the opportunities available in our area, and we are always grateful to host them here at Wallace State.”
Cold Springs, Hanceville, Vinemont, Holly Pond, Good Hope, Fairview, West Point and Hayden High Schools visited the Showcase.
R.J. Means from West Point said he enjoyed meeting with instructors in the Wallace State Horticulture program.
“I am thinking about going into landscaping, so it was really interesting to hear from the instructors here about what they do,” said Means. “The event today was good, and I enjoyed it.”
To begin the day, students arrived at the Garlan Gudger, Sr. Student Center where entertainment was provided by groups from the Wallace State Fine and Performing Arts program.
Students learn to move an X-Ray table from Diagnostic Imaging students. (Wallace State)
Students then toured the Simulation Center in the School of Nursing and Center for Science to visit with each of the Health Science programs offered by the college. Inside the building’s Peinhardt Conference Center, students got the chance to style mannequins’ hair with the Salon and Spa Management program, draw on a large posterboard provided by the Graphic Arts and Design program, eat snacks prepared by the Culinary Arts program and meet with instructors from the Computer Science, Paralegal and Business programs. Instructors from the Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Industrial Electronic Technology and Criminal Justice programs also gave presentations in adjoining classrooms.
In the Center for Welding Technology and Innovation Center, students learned the difference between TIG and MIG welds, saw plants grown by the Wallace State Horticulture program, checked out refrigeration schematics from the HVAC program, felt parts fabricated by the Machine Tool Technology program and saw an excavator, skid steer and racecar provided by the Advanced Automotive Technology and Diesel Technology programs.
Priority registration for summer and fall semesters will begin April 1. Summer 2024 classes begin May 22. For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu, call 256-352-8000 or come by Lion Central in the lobby of the James C. Bailey Center Monday-Wednesday 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursdays 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or Fridays 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Students look at a racecar engine and hear from Adam Frazar, chair of the Advanced Automotive Technology program. (Wallace State)
Students learn about the Occupational Therapy Assistant program from instructor Rachel Gooch. (Wallace State)
A student looks at a mechanical piece manufactured by the Machine Tool Technology program. (Wallace State)
