RCPS CTE - CTE in the News

During April's regularly scheduled board meeting, Ms. Jodi Place, RCHS Assistant Principal and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator, provided an update on the 2025-2026 CTE Local Plan. She presented the new CTE-specific program of studies, highlighting fresh opportunities for students through community partnerships and program expansions.

The Board also heard from Agriculture Academy students (pictured), who discussed the valuable learning experiences and benefits the academy has provided.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

A big congratulations to our students who successfully passed the SMAW Welder Qualification Test with Mr. Hogan! This test is all about showcasing skills with Shielded Metal Arc Welding, and we're so proud of our students' achievement. During the exam, they demonstrated their ability to make solid welds in various positions—flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead—showing just how talented and hardworking they are.

Photo courtesy of Dani Pond

Students in Mrs. Curry's Economics & Personal Finance (EPF) course participated in a team competition during their lesson on Monetary and Fiscal Policy in the US. Teams were challenged to categorize different Federal Government 'actions' as examples of either Monetary or Fiscal Policy. This team of students earned a perfect score.

Students pictured: Taylor Pullen, Hugh Garner, Triston Smith, Adin Thompson

FFA students showcased their skills and talents in Floriculture, Hippology (Equine), engaging in middle school rotations, and Veterinary Science at the Northern Area FFA Rally! It was an incredible experience filled with fun and learning!

We are thrilled to announce that our chapter placed 1st as a team in Hippology and 2nd as a team in Veterinary Science! A huge shoutout to Lilyanne Newton for bringing home the bronze with a 3rd overall finish in Hippology , and to Alexys Pearre for finishing 4th overall in Veterinary Science!

RCHS 8th graders participated in the 2025 Reality Store program, offered in partnership between Virginia Cooperative Extension and RCPS. At the start of the activity, students were randomly assigned a career and a monthly income. They then had to purchase items from different booths, run by community volunteers, ranging from housing, transportation, child care, groceries, utilities, dental care, entertainment, and more. This activity helped students better understand the importance of budgeting, choosing needs over wants, and having a savings account.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

During the RCHS February Trade of the Month presentation, Mr. Rick Nawrocki shared with students how he got his start in welding and why he pursued a trades program education versus a more traditional college-bound program. Rick talked about how his welding shop and business both have grown over the years and how he has employed several former Rappahannock County High School graduates. Rick was a big hit, and several students asked various questions. Some even approached him asking about summer or after-graduation employment. Rick's business, Rick's Custom Welding, is locally based in Flint Hill, Virginia, and has been a fixture in Rappahannock County since 1999.

Photo by Chris Ubben

Mr. Hogan's Welding students completed their welded name projects by recycling donated horse shoes!

Recently, Mr. Volmrich's 6th-grade Farm-to-Table class learned about the high school's FFA chapter and various agricultural education offerings from FFA members. The high schoolers presented slides highlighting the agriculture academy classes and chapter activities, inspiring future interest among the younger students.

Photo by Holly Jenkins

The 1st Annual RCHS FFA Truck Show was an amazing way to celebrate National FFA Week, and we loved having the whole school involved! Congratulations to Vinnie Hendricks, overall winner and most unique truck; Emily Lunson, newest and muddiest truck; Lily Newton, cleanest truck; and Hunter Jenkins, oldest truck. A big thank you to our announcer (only the best )Mr. Camron Wayland and our judges, Deputy Chris Ubben, Mrs. Jodi Place, and Mr. Rich Hogan. Each winner received a gift card, and we're already planning to make next year's event even bigger!!!