Tiffanie Madden, 18, believes there is more to getting an education than learning to read and write and multiply. In fact, if Carson High School didn't offer vocational classes, she said, she wouldn't attend.
"When you're in middle school, these kinds of classes are fun and they expose you to new things," she said. "But in high school, they're really important. They point you in a direction you might go when you graduate. It gives you a goal to look forward to."
A fair to highlight the vocational classes offered by Carson High School will be held in Senator Square on Thursday and Friday.
"There's a definite need to learn your basics so you know how to read and write," said welding teacher Charles Shirley. "These vocational classes actually give kids job skills. You can be educated all you want, but if you don't know people skills or know how to work, you're not going to be able to keep a job."
Madden will graduate this year with four years of auto-body experience. She plans to enlist in the U.S. Army and, after she retires from the service, open her own auto-body shop.
And she doesn't see any conflict between her career choice and her gender.
"I've been raised by my dad my whole life," she explained. "I've never been one to feel like a woman should be stuck in the kitchen while all the guys have fun working with cars. And a lot of guys would rather be in the kitchen."
For guys or girls interested in the kitchen, the high school has something for them as well.
There is a waiting list of students who want to take culinary arts, with 400 already in the program. Last year, culinary arts students received $258,000 worth of scholarships and this year they've accumulated $160,000.
Students can also choose from child development, computer-aided drafting, video production, photography, auto mechanics and other occupation-intense courses, including a Web-design class which developed and maintains the school's Web site, carsonhigh.com
An explanation of all the vocational classes will be presented during the fair, which is open to the public with the option to tour some of the classrooms.
It will also serve as an opportunity to showcase materials purchased through the Carl Perkins grant which was awarded to the photography, welding and video production departments.
Shirley received $42,000 and has installed new stations to teach a precise form of welding, tig welding, to match the high school standards with Western Nevada Community College. He also purchased other equipment, including a commercial-rated chop saw.
For some, the classes may turn into a career. For others, they will serve as useful skills or hobbies.
Advanced-welding student Alex Fenton, 15, plans to use his talent in welding to pay for medical school. "Plus there's a lot of times in life when you just have to weld something," he said. "It's good to know."
Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.
