 Roy Lanier (left), Department Chair of Welding Technology at PCC, demonstrates proper welding technique for VISIONS students participating in their program's annual Summer Institute. |
WINTERVILLE�A group of rising seniors from Pitt County high schools spent time at Pitt Community College last week as part of a program designed to make them aware of career and educational opportunities available to them in their own backyards. The students�all participants in PCC�s VISIONS Career Development and Scholarship Program�toured many of the college�s curriculum programs and visited local businesses and industries throughout the week as part of the annual VISIONS Summer Institute. The event provided valuable information that will guide the students through their final year of high school and into higher education. Through the institute, the students visited Grady White Boats and NACCO Materials Handling Corporation. They also participated in hands-on activities to learn more about PCC curricula, including masonry, respiratory therapy, law enforcement training and graphic arts. A new activity this year consisted of the students taking part in watersports on Lake Kristi near Grimesland. The character-building exercise was part of Kristi Overton-Johnson�s In His Wakes Ministries. Developed by the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation, VISIONS is a collaborative effort involving the PCC Foundation, Pitt County Schools and the Greater Greenville Community Foundation. Several years ago, Smith, owner of Grady White Boats and the VISIONS program�s benefactor, proposed development of an initiative to reduce Pitt County�s drop-out rate while increasing the number of county students attending college. The result was the VISIONS Career Development and Scholarship Program, which provides students with the direction and support needed to obtain diplomas and seek higher education. Each student accepted into VISIONS is exposed to job opportunities and training options available to them at the community college-level and will receive financial assistance to attend Pitt once they have completed high school. This year�s VISIONS group is the largest ever with 55 students. There were 27 students in the first VISIONS class, and, as a result of their success, Smith has increased funding to allow more students to participate in the program. All of the participants in this month�s summer institute were selected for VISIONS as high school juniors and will receive special mentoring and advising throughout their senior year. Students who move on to PCC will continue receiving personal and academic counseling from college staff.
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