Eighth-grade students from schools across the district gathered at the Aiken County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, February 24, for the second annual PowerUp Your Future Career and College Day. This event connected students with local employers, industry professionals, and post-secondary representatives, offering meaningful opportunities for hands-on learning and real-world exploration.
"Students have ideas of what they want to do, but they don't always know what they're good at." said Oscar Rushton, CTE District Program Specialist with the Aiken County Career & Technology Center.
Throughout the day, students rotated through interactive booths highlighting careers in healthcare, manufacturing, public safety, technology, and the skilled trades. Exhibitors provided demonstrations and hands-on experiences that helped students see how classroom learning connects to real-world careers.
"We are about showing students the industries that are here, so they have the time now to explore those opportunities and learn about how industries can support them in their career growth," added Madalyn Brantley, Director of Workforce Initiatives at Savannah River Site Community Resource Organization.
Events like PowerUp Your Future continue to demonstrate the district's commitment to preparing students not just for graduation, but life beyond the classroom.
Participating business partners included:
Aiken Army Recruiting Station
Aiken County Public School District
Aiken Department of Public Safety, Fire Division and Opioid Education Team
Aiken Regional Medical Centers
Aiken Youth Empowerment
Bridgestone
Celebrate Freedom Foundation
Ironworkers Local Union 709
LifeWave
Safelite Autoglass
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions
Security Federal Bank / Financial Consulting Department
Shoemaker Equipment Supply
SMART Local Union 399
South Carolina Governor's School for Agriculture
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
SRP Federal Credit Union
SRS Community Reuse Organization
United States Army Recruiting Aiken
Zeus
CTE Programs and Instructors included:
Agriculture - Mr. Ethan Busbee
Agriculture - Mrs. Sabrina Greenhill
Automotive Technology - Mr. Corey P. Tillman
Biomedical Sciences - Mrs. Christie Palladino
Business / FBLA - Mrs. Sherri Johnson
Cosmetology - Mrs. Sharona Singleton
Culinary - Mrs. Kimberly Bush
Diesel Technology - Mr. Clyde M. Ergle II
Early Childhood Education - Mrs. Christa Franklin
Electricity - Mr. Calvin Henderson
Emergency Medical Services - Mr. Joseph Chandler
Engineering - Mr. Jason Reed
Fashion Design / Construction Apparel - Mr. Dolphus E. Bell II
Health Science - Mrs. Shelby Gaskill and Mrs. Jennifer Friar
IT Computer Repair - Mrs. Louvenia Sanders
Law Enforcement - Mr. Joseph Patsourakos
Machine Tool Technology - Mr. Eric Slack
Marketing - Mrs. Amber Stokes
Media Technology - Mr. James Dean
Mechantronics - Mr. Billy Bagwell
Nail Technology - Mrs. Kortney Garrett
Public Health - Mr. William McKinney
ROTC - Chief Roberta Brown-Johnson
Sports Medicine - Mrs. Lynne Clarke
Welding - Mr. Daniel Ball
A special thank you to the Western Carolina Fairgrounds for hosting the event, and their continued support of ACPSD CTE programs and students.
