Big Numbers Attending Nichols Career Center

Eleven students of California High School attend Nichols Career Center, Jefferson City, for the first four classes of the day. Each student is involved in their own favorite course of study.

Within the automotive department, juniors Kevin Trejo and Christian Leon are in the study of auto collision. They learn to repair the exterior damages of dented or wrecked cars. Senior Damien Dummermuth is taking the second year course of automotive technology, learning how to perform car and engine maintenance.

Seniors, Stephanie Pugh and Breanna Reed are taking part in the nursing program in which they learn basic nursing procedures and how to care for different patients.

Construction trades is one of the most popular programs at Nichols Career Center. This year juniors Grant Kempker and Austin Stegeman are attending. "Being able to do hands on construction projects in class is the best part of this program," according to Kempker.

Senior Justin Stegeman is finishing his second year course in building trades, visiting a job site and building a house with his class.

Juniors Micah Trower and Brendon Baker are involved in communications and graphic design. They deal with jobs from t-shirt design to business advertisements. "Working with the real world equipment and learning what I need to know through hands-on work makes class much more interesting and exciting," said Trower after a day at Nichols.

In his first year of Computer Technology, junior Dalton Martin is learning to build and repair computers and their components. Martin said that getting up earlier than normal for Nichols is "worth it" for the learning experience the students get.

The Nichols students enjoy their classes and learning the skills they need to further their futures. Nichols director Kreigshowser said, "Preparing students for their future and helping them in their field interests is a great virtue to Nichols Career Center."