95% of students that graduated from Greater Latrobe Senior High School in 2014 left with a plan of action. The Greater Latrobe School District administration actively aids students as they prepare for their futures.
The school offers a number of programs that guide students in specific fields. Some of the programs include the Young Engineers Program through Kennametal and the Allied Health Program through Excela Health. In both programs, students leave the school for the last period class to get hands-on experience in engineering and medicine.
Senior Sara Jo Davis participated the the Young Engineers Program her junior year. She took the initiative and asked about scholarships, which earned her a scholarship toward her associates degree at Westmoreland County Community College. Kennametal also paid for her books and offered a possible internship.
Classes at the high school allow students to experience the job in their everyday classes. For example; wood shop, government, and accounting teach students real life skills that could lead to a career choice.
The school also offers 15 advanced placement classes in english, science, math, history, music, and world languages. With such advanced classes, a student has a better idea of how to think in a certain career.
Dual enrollment classes and college in high school classes offer students to earn credits through seven different higher education institutes. Students can earn credits toward college degrees, while saving both time and money, bringing them one step closer to their desired career.
The guidance department at the senior high school provides a number of opportunities for students to discover options they may not have even considered. College and military representatives are available during school lunches. Students have the opportunity to discover colleges and branches of the military without having to miss any class time. The school does excuse students’ absences to go on college visits and tour campuses.
“Working lunches” are also offered through the guidance department. Organized by Ms.Hager, the working lunch is an opportunity for students to sit down and talk face to face with people working in the real world. A number of students have been hired or granted internships from the connections they make during the working lunch. Each informal luncheon presents a theme such as law and government. The next working lunch on November 13 will focus on recreation and hospitality. Representatives from places such as Keystone State Park and Seven Springs will discuss career choices. Students can find information and sign up in the guidance office at any time.
Students also have the opportunity to enroll in EWCTC, Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center. Students spend half of the school day getting hands-on experience and learning from teachers with experience in a given field. EWCTC offers 15 programs, 13 of which students can earn certification right out of high school. For example, American Welding Society offers a welding certification. “EWCTC gave me the best opportunity to get experience in my career, so I have the best advantage coming out of school,” says senior, Zach Ruffner, who is in the welding program. The school helps students find jobs in their fields and 94% of students coming out of their programs are either employed, enlisted in the armed forces, or attending postsecondary schools.
“Be attentive at this time in your educational lives. This is the only time you have an opportunity to try everything and figure out your likes and dislikes,” said Mr.Shivetts, assistant principal at the senior high school. With all of the opportunities that the teachers and administration provide today, no student should leave here without at least a general idea of what they want for their future.
