The Columbia Area Career Center (CACC) classes are known for their hands-on style of learning, but this active approach extends beyond curriculum into scheduling the future. Instructors and students will exhibit their classes on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. is the CACC Showcase. This display will feature a dinner provided by Big O Tires and presentations to incoming freshmen as well as rising sophomores and juniors about the various CACC classes they can enroll in.
“This showcase is a walk through for [underclassmen] and soon-to-be high schoolers of the classes the CACC has to offer,” senior Morgan Kruse said. “Instead of reading it out of a course catalog they get to physically see what that class does and all of the things they get to learn to see if it peaks their interest.”
Kruse, who studies engineering at the CACC, believes this event is far more useful than just filling out a schedule. She believes that the interests sparked on Thursday can be beneficial to students for the long run.
“I hope the turnout is good so that kids can figure out what they want to do sooner rather than later,” Kruse said, “Then, they can start learning younger and don’t waste a ton of money in college.”
Kruse will act as an ambassador during the event. Her duties will include guiding and engaging with the many people at the showcase. Broadcast teacher Joe Wittman believes that it is an especially significant challenge to physically accommodate the large number of people attending.
Senior Sarah Stannard attended the event as an eighth grader and last year served as an ambassador, but she believes one of the hardest parts is mentally engaging the guests.
“You have to be able to answer a wide variety of questions and help people be a people person because a lot of time the people are really hesitant about coming in so you have to approach them and start asking them questions,” Stannard said.

“You have to be able to answer a wide variety of questions and help people be a people person because a lot of time the people are really hesitant about coming in so you have to approach them and start asking them questions,” Stannard said.

Teachers also face this issue, as they want their class to seem enticing to these young viewers. Thus, many teachers like Wittman try to involve students in the presentation to truly demonstrate to them the hands on curriculum of the CACC.
“I plan on having the CPS 360 TV studio open to any potential anchors, kids and adults,” Wittman said. “We will have our cameras on and  those who are interested can read a news script on the teleprompter while sitting at the news desk.”
But Wittman knows the showcase is more than just a sales pitch for his class. He believes the CACC offers unique and rewarding classes to students, and that these students need to take advantage of this special privilege.
“I would just say that it really is a great chance for students to find out about their potential career options. The Columbia Area Career [Center] is one of the best Career Tech facilities not only in the state, but also in the country,” Wittman said. “The chance for Columbia area students to take some of these classes is an opportunity too good to miss out on.”
What are your favorite CACC classes? Leave a comment below.