New Castle Career Center students welcomed community leaders to the annual
Leadership Open House recently. Attendees rotated to each classroom and learned
about the programs through student-led presentations and hands-on demonstrations.
Welding students showed the various projects they are working on and taught guests
how to use the welding simulator. Education students described the experiences they
are gaining in local schools and prompted visitors to teach one another how to tie a
shoe. In the Cosmetology classroom, attendees watched students practicing hair styling
skills and had a chance to try some of the tools used in the program. The Culinary Arts
hosts described the skills they are gaining and invited the visitors to help roll
cheeseballs in a nut mixture. Each program hosted the rotating groups of leaders to
share what they are learning and how they are growing personally and professionally.
“My program is where I feel like I belong,” expressed one student.
“I’ve learned so much more than I would have just sitting at a desk,” noted another.
The community members in attendance came away with a more complete picture of
what’s happening at the New Castle Career Center. In addition to seeing the
experienced-based learning environment, attendees discovered the certifications
students are gaining and the college credits students are earning.
“I’m very familiar with the Career Center but hearing the students share left an impact,”
said business owner Christy Ragle. “We could see firsthand how tomorrow’s workforce
is gaining the skills and confidence needed to succeed in their careers.”
New Castle Career Center Director Mackenzie Jackson and Career Center Counselor
April Williams started planning the annual open house this summer.
“We get to see the students learning and growing every day,” Jackson shared. “It’s
important to us that community members get to experience the excitement and
innovation that happens in the programs here at the Career Center.”
The open house concluded with take-home lunches provided to all the guests, which
were prepared by the Culinary Arts program. For more information about the New
Castle Career Center or to get an invitation to next year's Open House, send an email to