Pictured, from left to right, are: David Queen, Friends of Hixson board member; Greg Taylor, Friends of Hixson president; Jennifer Rimback, Hixson High School counselor; Rosalind Connor, Friends of Hixson board member; Corey Whitaker, Friends of Hixson board member; Shunta Daniels Hixson High School assistant principal; Mark Harrison, Friends of Hixson board member; Joe Smith, Friends of Hixson board member and Hamilton Co. School Board chairman; Dr Lee Ziegler, Hixson High School principal; Larry Zehnder, Friends of Hixson board member; and Gene Huffine, Friends of Hixson board member.
At the recent Friends of Hixson Coffee Meeting, Dr. Lee Ziegler, principal at Hixson High School, updated a large crowd at Clear Creek Church on the career pathway programs available for Hixson students.
Officials said, "The meeting commenced with Dr Ziegler leading about 30 students into the room. These students will be mentors for the upcoming ninth grade class for the 2024-25 school year. These students, attending a training session at Clear Creek for the upcoming school year, play a pivotal role in guiding the ninth grade class as they transition from middle to high school.
The staff has an acronym, 'BAG,' for behavior, attendance and grades, to guide students to stay on track to graduate each year. Currently, Hixson has over 92 percent of its students on track to graduate for the upcoming school year.
"Hixson High School staff members Shunta Daniels and Jennifer Rimback provided a thorough description of the pathway programs available at Hixson. Several corporate partners participate, including CHI Memorial and Coca-Cola, among others. The Institute of Health Care and Medical Careers pathway provides students with career pathways in nursing, sports medicine, dental assistant and EMT training. Hamilton County recently partnered with Hixson High School on the EMT program. Students who graduate with the EMT pathway will be hired by Hamilton County, providing these graduates with excellent salary opportunities. In many instances, participants in the nursing and sports medicine program are being paid while still in high school as they work weekends as CNAs and dental assistants. These pathways provide outstanding pay and benefits for graduates of this program.
"The Coca-Cola Business Institute provides a pathway for students in the business world. Students will be certified as Microsoft Office specialists, a valuable skill in today's business environment. This pathway includes training in marketing, social media, photography, printing and production, equipping students with a diverse set of skills. Students in this pathway manage all high school social media accounts, gaining practical experience in social media management and handling PR for all of the school's sports programs, honing their public relations skills.
"Another pathway is the AG Institute, which provides students with training in veterinary medicine, OSHA IO and unmanned aerial systems, otherwise known as drones, currently used in agriculture. The school has several greenhouses that students manage, selling their lettuce and other vegetables to local restaurants. Other programs include the Fine Arts program, which provides for theatre arts, chorus, strings orchestra and band programs. The Air Force JROTC program has a distinguished drill team and provides students with a pathway to the military. During the Q&A session that concluded the meeting, a Hixson High School parent detailed how the JROTC Staff had provided excellent student support and guidance."
The FOH Community Coffee Meetings are free and open to the public; all are welcome to attend. Visit friendsofhixson.org for information on upcoming meetings.