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Danville students highlight career pathways at AVID college-and-career day and SkillsUSA competition
Summary
AVID college-and-career day attracted dozens of presenters and hundreds of students; Danville High School's SkillsUSA competitors placed in multiple events at the state level, school staff said.
Danville School District 118 students showcased career and technical education programs at an AVID college-and-career day and at the SkillsUSA state competition, district staff and teachers told the board during public comment.
Laurie Grant, AVID coach and EL teacher at Mark Denman (Mead Park), said about 20 to 22 presenters took part in the AVID college-and-career day last Friday and that “we had probably over 600 kids mulling about the building at some point in the day.” Grant thanked administrators and staff for support and named local organizations and businesses that participated, including Republic Services, Eastern (college), Danville Police Department, Danville Mass Transit and Ameren Illinois.
CTE staff reported results from recent SkillsUSA state competition. A presenter said Austin Brown, a solo welding competitor with one semester of welding experience, placed 20th out of 45. The district’s metal fabrication team built and brought a large fire pit entry; teachers said the team placed 16th out of 17 and that blueprint interpretation issues and a late crash course affected their score. Staff praised students’ work ethic and noted SkillsUSA membership growth to 34 registered members for next year, roughly double the prior year.
Teachers and staff emphasized the events’ community connections: student displays, family participation, and local employers providing hands‑on demonstrations. The AVID coach noted some presenters were family members of students and that community organizations donated materials and time.
Board members thanked staff and volunteers for supporting student career exposure and the expansion of career and technical education offerings. No board action was required; the presentations were part of public comment and celebration of student work.
