Career trip

B-A freshmen visit CTC to learn about career training options

A+student+in+the+GACTC+culinary+arts+program+prepares+a+meal+during+B-As+field+trip+on+Tuesday.

Corbin Nale

A student in the GACTC culinary arts program prepares a meal during B-A’s field trip on Tuesday.

Corbin Nale, Staff Writer

When did you start thinking about your career? Well, Bellwood-Antis ninth graders are thinking about theirs now.

All of the ninth graders at B-A recently visited the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center.

The CTC is a trade school in Altoona. You learn the skills you need for your desired career early and don’t need to go to a school to learn it. You can also get certified in your field at the CTC.

The purpose of the trip was to get the kids to see what goes on in the classes at the school and to possibly get them interested in going.

Bellwood-Antis students are allowed to attend the CTC starting in tenth grade. When they do attend, they go for a half day with the other half spent at B-A for core courses.

Each ninth grader chose three classes that they were interested in. They then toured the facility and went to see what happens in their selected classes.

“It went well. I think some of the students were more enthusiastic than others,” says Julian Bartlebaugh. He chose Computer Programing, Computer Technology, and Masonry.

Most students enjoyed the experience.

“Multimedia and interior web and design were my favorite courses I went to. It was a good experience,” Cazen Cowfer said.

Macy Decker also enjoyed the trip. She said, “I thought it was a good experience.”

Macey really enjoyed the cosmetology field. She said, “They seem to have a lot of fun in that class.”

Mr. Goodman, 9th grade Earth Science, chaperoned the trip, and he felt it was quite beneficial.

“It was good,” he said. “I thought it was very interesting.”