The Hobbs' House: How Repairing a Citizen's Home Became More than Nails and Paint

In March, I wrote a blog called Building Relationships in the Community through Building Trades which highlighted the work of our students who were helping to rehabilitate a senior citizens home.  The journey that began in early 2019 came to a close over the summer.  The students completed work on Mrs. Hobbs' house, leaving her with a much nicer and safer structure for her to continue living in.
As much as this project was about providing our students with authentic experiences, it was about learning the importance of giving back to our community.  However, I was overwhelmed at the bond that formed between the students and Mrs. Hobbs.  They became her boys and she was like an adopted grandmother to them.

We have created a beautiful documentary that captures the story of the "Hobbs House", as we affectionately call it.  But this became more than a story about a house.  It's a story of building relationships and showing kindness to one another.  I am very proud of the students who worked on Mrs. Hobbs' house and hope you enjoy watching their journey.

Celebrating Students as they Embark on Careers after High School

On Thursday, May 30, Isle of Wight County Schools did something we had never done before--we hosted a Career Signing Ceremony.  The event was similar to the signing days you see with high school athletes when they commit to a college to play a sport.

But the students this day were not athletes signing with a college.  Instead, they were students who had completed coursework and certifications in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program and they were signing with a business where they would use their skills in their chosen career pathway.

The ceremony recognized thirteen students in the programs of Agriculture, Building Trades, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, and Welding.  Businesses ranged from local salons and restaurants, to national companies, and employers associated with the shipbuilding industry.  At the ceremony, the student sat down with a representative from the business, they both signed a ceremonial agreement, and pictures were taken of the student wearing "swag" from their employer.  Families attended, as did members from the School Board, Board of Supervisors, and Economic Development.

We talk about providing students with opportunities to develop their unique gifts and talents, and preparing students to be college, career and life ready.  We made a commitment to our students by offering programs that will prepare them for high skill, high wage, high demand jobs.  I am excited that these students have made decisions in high school that have put them on the pathway to success.

Below are the names of the students who were recognized during the career signing and the businesses who have invited them to join their family.  Scroll down further to see pictures from the ceremony.

Student                                Program                              Business
Adkins, Logan                      Building Trades                   Lowe’s
Baggett III, Webster             Welding                                Suffolk Iron Works
Beasley, Robert                    Welding                                Newport News Shipbuilding
Charles, Joshua                    Culinary Arts                        US Navy—Culinary Specialist
Crocker, Nelson                   Agriculture                            Smithfield Foods
Cross, Tobias                        Culinary Arts                        Vintage Tavern
Dalton, Tyler                        Culinary Arts                        Smithfield Station
Daughtry, Logan                  Cosmetology                         Reflections Salon
Davis, Noah                         Welding                                 Allfirst LLC
Mason, Donnell                   Building Trades                     Lowe’s
Smith, Jada                          Cosmetology                         Nails Studio LLC
Throckmorton, Davis          Welding                                 Allfirst LLC
Yost, Patrick                        Welding                                 Newport News Shipbuilding