Radford students propose hog project for vet science; CTE programs highlight recent wins

Radford High School students on Feb. (presentation night) asked the Radford City School Board to approve a hog as a classroom project for the veterinary science and FFA programs, outlining housing, care, educational uses and projected costs. The board and staff followed with an overview of recent CTE activities and student achievements at Radford High School.

The proposal, delivered by students Emily Hall and Lillian (Lillian spelled in transcript as “Lillian”/“Lily”) Joyce, said the classroom hog would help students practice veterinary skills, prepare FFA members for career development events and support culinary instruction by teaching farm-to-table lessons. “This project will help students involved in animal science and culinary classes learn about food origin, swine, pork cuts, while learning about livestock identification, breeds, general care,” Emily Hall told the board.

In the nut graf: The board did not take a formal vote to approve construction or purchase during the meeting; the presentation was informational and intended to show the plan’s educational value and financial assumptions. School leaders and board members asked operational and safety questions and said follow-up would include coordination with city authorities for the educational exemption the students reported having secured.

Board members pressed for details and expressed support. A board member asked whether city approval had been sought; the students said they had consulted the city and were told an exception could be made for educational purposes. Superintendent Dr. Joyce (referred to in the meeting as “Dr. Joyce”) and other board members raised routine concerns about housing, fence security, weather protection and student safety; student presenters described a 9-by-14-foot kennel, vaccination and rotation plans for feeding on weekends and school breaks.

The students included basic budget math: estimated feed, slaughter and housing costs totaling about $1,400 and a projected revenue from community and culinary-class sales of about $1,050. Board members and community speakers framed the proposal as a hands-on career-preparation opportunity; one board member described livestock projects as teaching “food security” and student pride, and encouraged the program to expand as it demonstrates success.

The CTE update presented by Kirsten Mosby and other staff recapped recent program activities: a registration exhibition, multiple field trips to local employers and New River Community College, SkillsUSA and district competitions, a Bobcat career chat with a local TV reporter, and holiday fundraisers that supported CTE programs and local animal shelters. Radford High School representative Colin Baron reported athletic and academic student achievements — qualifiers for state competition in track events, regional wrestling advances, regional swim championships and choir and academic team successes — and noted upcoming band and speech/debate events.

Board members praised the presentations and the visible student achievements; no binding action was taken at the meeting on the hog project. The board later moved unrelated action items (calendar and course approvals) during the meeting’s action portion.

Ending: The presentations highlighted CTE as a growth area for the district and set the stage for staff follow-up on operational permitting, detailed budgeting and any required board approvals if the program moves from proposal to implementation.