Over 600 area middle and high school students participated in 3^rd annual Construction and Engineering Fair at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College on the Valdosta campus.  Students from across the region were invited to come to the campus to learn about the college’s technical and industrial programs and meet employers in the construction and engineering fields.  The area schools that participated in this year’s fair includes; Newbern Middle School, Maceo Horne Learning Center, Valdosta High School, Flat Creek Christian Academy, Georgia Christian School, Lowndes High School, Berrien Academy, Coffee County Career Academy, Echols County High School, and the Adult Education Center program at Wiregrass. 

The businesses that participated and brought hands on learning opportunities for the students were;  Associated General Contractors of Georgia (AGC ), Georgia Power, Elkins, IKBI, Society of American Military Engineers, True North Companies, Valdosta Commercial Door, Home Builders, Southern Earth Construction, Inc., TTL, Colquitt Electric, ACE Electric, JCI General Contractors, Department of Transportation, Bridge, Habitat for Humanity, Lowes, Home Depot, Waller Heating and Air, GA Auto Sprinklers, Yancy Brothers, Governor’s Office of Workforce Development, Southwire, DuPont, Langdale Forest Products, and Valdosta City Inspections. Students were able to visit with the businesses and ask questions. Student also enjoyed participating in “hands-on” learning activities related to the career fields. “This events helps introduce career exploration with the middle and high school students, and lets them know about our programs offered at Wiregrass,” shared Brooke Jamarillo, Director of Recruitment, “Also, having the businesses present with activities for the students helps them see the connection between what they are learning in school right now, what they can learn here at Wiregrass, and what kind of careers they could have in the future.”

Middle and High School students were able to compete in various events. The competitions and top winners were; Automotive Collision Repair Refinishing – 1^st place Cade McGeehan from Lowndes Middle School, 2^nd place Mike Sims from Lowndes Middle School, and 3^rd place (tie) Kirk Bacener from Georgia Christian School and Hunter Goghill from Berrien Academy; Automotive Competition– Grand Prize Winner went to Will Sauls of Lowndes High School; Drafting – Grand Prize Winner (Architectural) Joanna Abbott from Lowndes High School, Grand Prize Winner (Mechanical) (tie) Kevin Harper and Keegan Smenk of Lowndes High School; Industrial and Electrical Systems- Grand Prize Winner Hunter Doeppke of Lowndes High School; Horticulture- Grand Prize Winners Miranda Carter and Lonna Carter from Echols County High School; Welding- SMAW  Competition 1G Flat plate – Grand Prize Winner Christopher Manghram of Valdosta High School,  GMAW Competition 1G Flat plate – Grand Prize Winner – William Small of Valdosta High School, and OFC Cutting Competition – Grand Prize Winner Trace Church of Echols County High School.