Sumner students tell district CTE programs build workplace skills, urge more outreach and hands-on options

At a Sumner School District study session, a panel of high school students described how career and technical education classes gave them hands-on experience, leadership opportunities and clearer ideas about post‑graduation plans.

Students from Sumner and nearby high schools said CTE classes — including plant science, robotics, cybersecurity, digital photography, business and culinary programs — helped them build communication, collaboration and problem‑solving skills they expect to use after graduation. Several students described using CTE coursework to qualify for certifications or jobs, manage student‑run projects such as plant sales, or win competitions that led to college and career opportunities.

"It's definitely worth it," said Laura, a junior at Bonney Lake High School, speaking about her CTE experience and the research project she completed in medical/health coursework.

The panelists gave examples of class projects and extracurricular extensions that reinforced classroom learning: greenhouse management and a plant sale tied to FFA (Future Farmers of America) activities; OSHA and food‑handler certificates earned through agricultural and culinary classes; robotics competitions that required students to design and field a functioning robot; and business projects that included real budgeting and a mock wedding planning assignment. Several students said those experiences helped them land jobs, internships or college placements and, for some, confirmed or changed their intended career pathways.

Students also identified concrete improvements they would like to see. Suggestions included: - A short trial/enrollment period so students can sample CTE classes before committing for a full term; - More field trips and local business visits to show real‑world applications of classroom lessons; - Expanded trades‑focused offerings and clearer information about what each class teaches (for example, distinguishing 3‑D modeling in engineering from programming tasks in robotics); - More school‑day CTE events (CTE fairs) and earlier outreach to middle‑school students, tied to the district’s High School and Beyond planning process.

District staff and board members present reacted positively to the students' testimony. Board members summarized themes they heard — creativity, confidence, collaboration and readiness for work or further training — and asked staff about steps already underway to reach younger students. District staff reported work to realign middle‑school advisory activities and earlier exposure to ninth‑grade course options and pathways. The board and staff discussed using recorded meeting segments as marketing assets and continuing to pursue outreach strategies.

The session was a discussion‑focused study meeting rather than a formal action item; no motions or votes were recorded. Board members praised the students' presentation and the CTE program’s apparent expansion across multiple schools. Staff and board members said they will continue refining outreach and programming based on the panelists’ suggestions.