For more than five hours Wednesday at The Bruce Convention Center, and as part of the first-ever Christian County Public Schools Career Expo, freshmen from Hopkinsville and Christian County’s high schools got to tour more than 50 businesses and industries — all stemming from different walks and talks within the region.
As the Class of 2027, they will be the first graduates of the Christian County Tigers consolidation — and just as career-driven as their predecessors. Before them: limitless possibility.
Kaydon Coates, who just turned 15, hails from Crofton. In preparation for the popular Gateway Academy, she’s already selected the Health Science pathway — but is strongly considering Teaching & Learning.
Thankfully, she has time to decide, and she said a job fair at this age can only help pare down her options.
Kaley Bangart, who is 14, is currently pursuing a Bio-Medical Sciences pathway. She said Wednesday’s walkthrough of local and regional jobs gave her insight on what’s available in south western Kentucky.
She wants to go to the University of Kentucky, and she added that this career angle just makes sense for her.
Among the most popular booths Wednesday, and there were plenty, was the brand-new HealthForce Kentucky bus.
Built in Muhlenberg County’s Central City and completed last October, Director of External Operations Jaclyn Graves noted more than 600 visitors walked through its state-of-the-art mobile medical lab and training trailer — many of them repeat visits from students seeking more knowledge and understanding.
Within its four walls: 3-D laptops capable of diagramming the human body, life-like synthetic cadavers allowing anatomy exploration, a first-of-its kind specialized Down Syndrome patient training implement, and a fully-immersive touchscreen training room — one capable of simulating ER visits, ambulance runs and other high-stress situations one delivering emergent care might experience.
One of the most beleaguered industries since the global pandemic, Graves said it was refreshing and energizing to see students take an active interest in healthcare.
Austin Peay State University officials had their helicopter on hand for tours. Jeremiah Johnson, extension agent for Christian County and 4-H Youth Development, had his older students showcasing drone work and basic coding skills. The concrete floor was covered with vehicles from H&R Agri-Power, the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, and a large road grader graced the opening doorways.
CCPS officials began their all-call for business participation last November, and Student Transition Coordinator Sandra Hancock said Wednesday’s effort showed that students and adults “do support the CCPS vision” of developing past and future graduates.
And it was overwhelming.
Wednesday’s success, she said, will likely parlay into future career expo ventures, and a waiting list is already underway.
BUSINESSES
*Bolinger Real Estate & Auction
*Christian County Now
*Christian County Public Schools
*Higgins Insurance
*HomePlace Mortgage, Inc.
*Hopkinsville Convention & Visitors Bureau
*Hopkinsville Parks & Recreation
*Pennyroyal Arts Council, Inc./Alhambra Theatre
*The Edge Media Group
*The Silo Event Center
*United Southern Bank
*WHOP Radio
*Apex Watershape & Blue Splash Pool Service
*Commonwealth Agri Energy LLC
*Farm Credit Mid-America
*H&R Agri-Power
*Hopkinsville Community College
*Hopkinsville Elevator Company, Inc.
*Loden Plumbing
*Siemer Milling Company
*Todd County Animal Clinic
*US Army, Fort Campbell, Conservation
*Austin Peay State University
*Christian County 4-H
*Hopkinsville Electric System/energynet
*JTEKT Column Systems North America
*Plymouth Engineered Shapes
*Rogers Group, Inc.
*Toyoda Gosei
*Wabash
*Cumberland Hall Hospital
*HealthForce Kentucky
*Jennie Stuart Health
*Kentucky Cancer Program
*MSU Breathitt Veterinary Center
*184th OD BN (Explosive Disposal)
*Christian County Sheriff’s Office
*Class 101 Western Kentucky
*Hopkinsville Fire Department
*Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority
*Museums of Hopkinsville-Christian County
*School Readiness, Public Preschools Teachers and Inspire Early Learning Academy
*West Kentucky 4-H Camp
*The Bruce Convention Center
*Hopkinsville-Christian County ECC/911
*Hopkinsville Police Department
*Ruffled Pillow
*F&M Bank
*Walmart Distribution Center
