Eleventh grader Dajahray Clagon slices a special strawberry cake in the kitchen classroom at the brand new Washington County High School (WCHS). The recipe was her uncle’s, and making it reminds her of him and home. Across the counter, Than Kim Pham, scoops ché — a Vietnamese dessert made of coconut milk, fruits, beans and jellies — into small catering size cups.
At the station behind them, Barbara Sanchez-Ochoa is lightly tapping her bundt cake pan to get her chocoflan to drop out and Shan’ylia Galinda-Pledger is removing the wrap from her strawberry shortcake.
These foods and nutrition students developed a dessert menu representing their cultures and were getting ready to display what they’ve learned to friends and family at “Shades of Fall,” a Career and Technical Education Showcase WCHS.
A taste of CTE at WCHS
On Nov. 25, WCHS transformed it’s hallways into a banquet venue. Students paraded what they’ve learned in the school’s CTE classes through a podcast studio and theater, among other things.
WCHS boasts eight CTE pathways — Adobe academy, early childhood education, entrepreneurship, foods and nutrition, health science, horticulture, sports marketing, and welding.
The event began with a presentation inducting 25 students into the National Technical Honor Society. To qualify, students must be enrolled in a CTE pathway, have a 3.0 GPA or higher, and practice leadership service, skill development, and career readiness.
After the induction ceremony, the audience turned their attention to the first CTE presentation of the night from the school’s Adobe Digital Design class. Popcorn and candy was on the ready for movie goers as they watched a student made short.
Once the credits rolled students went to their stations and the audience — made up of parents, fellow students, community stakeholders and more — lined up to learn what these CTE students were mastering in class.
The health science students created a pop-up health and wellness center, offering eye exams and first aid demos.
The early childhood education students transformed a classroom into “Happy Hearts” daycare center. Priyah Phelps developed a spelling game for kindergarten and first grade students with popsicle sticks and egg crates. “I just love kids,” she said.
The new school building holds both a high school and elementary school, so Phelps has the special opportunity to walk down the hall and put her early childhood education lessons into practice. As long as you are 16 years old and taking this course, you can be an intern for an elementary educator.
“Elementary teachers are absolutely loving it, and that’s one of our thriving pathways,” said Denise Harris, career development coordinator at WCHS.
The early childhood education class is at max capacity with 15 students. It is a unique plus to the school consolidation, which occurred in January 2025.
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Harris also said this is WCHS’s first year being a community school. Because of this and the flourishing early childhood education program, they are about to kick-off a “big brother, big sister” program specifically for morning drop off.
These particular CTE pathway students can apply for a paying position, where they watch elementary students from 7:20am until the bell rings. Harris said the community school program can pay the students, and for some it may be their first time earning an official wage.
The largest showcase remained from the foods and nutrition students. Golden banquet tables adorned the hallway and attendees were offered a menu for a three course meal. Harris believes this is one of the more popular CTE courses. Students served their families and friends with the food they prepared earlier in the day.
Harris said of the event, this is “our one time to show all stakeholders what our students are doing hands-on in the classroom.”
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