COURTLAND—Numerous students at Southampton High School seeking career advice got to meet established professionals during the recent business social at the Technical Career Center in Courtland.

This second annual event culminated the school’s observation of National Career Technical Education Month.

The students involved in SkillsUSA helped organize the afternoon program. Shelby Livingston, president, said she’d like to go into the Army and also become a pharmacist.

Since the program was a social one, culinary students Skylar Cutchin, Jamal Hurt, Jeffrey Allen, Brionna Boone and Charles “CT” Branch prepared hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the kids,” Superintendent Alvera Parrish said at the gathering. “It allows students to talk about career goals…This is a step in that direction.

“My priority and the school board’s priority are to expose students to as many experiences, opportunities and resources as possible.”

At one table, seniors Bryce Steele, Kody Childress and Clifton Cole spoke with Yamika Bennett, district conservationist with the USDA-NRCS and Amanda Jarratt, president and chief executive officer of Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Inc. Steele said he’s thinking about going into the Army as a commissioned officer. Cole said he’s looking to go to George Mason University or Hampden-Sydney after graduating.

Rita Yeary, who teaches in the trade and industrial department Southampton High, said the social is a good way for the students to learn from community stakeholders and how they got educated for the careers they have now.

First Sgt. Greg Jackson of the Highway Patrol for the Virginia State Police is quite familiar with attending such programs.

“We visit schools on a regular basis,” he said.

Danzel Jenkins and Shane Austin, both seniors, are each involved in the career service program at the school’s technical center. Shane said he also would like to go into the Army after graduating.

A few of the many other professionals who participated were: Jamie Weist, a civil engineer with Kimley-Horn and Associates; Mark Drumheller, chief codes compliance inspector for Isle of Wight County; Carol Wright, associate professor of nursing at Paul D. Camp Community College; and Donna Taylor, president of Mid-Atlantic Health Solutions.

Jamaal Tillery, a senior, said he’s interested in a career in information technology or engineering. East Carolina University, Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University are three of his choices for higher education.