Ignite Your Future 8th grade fair
![student in VR goggles]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770260540/ectorcountyisdorg/dwwipz4atk1dxdy9ywyv/IMG_6762.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770260540/ectorcountyisdorg/dwwipz4atk1dxdy9ywyv/IMG_6762.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770260540/ectorcountyisdorg/dwwipz4atk1dxdy9ywyv/IMG_6762.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1770260540/ectorcountyisdorg/dwwipz4atk1dxdy9ywyv/IMG_6762.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1770260540/ectorcountyisdorg/dwwipz4atk1dxdy9ywyv/IMG_6762.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1770260540/ectorcountyisdorg/dwwipz4atk1dxdy9ywyv/IMG_6762.jpg","width":2200}])
All 8th graders have the opportunity to see what programs and courses are available to them in high school
ECISD's high school students have so many choices. Enough to fill Building G of the Ector County Coliseum where Ector County ISD and Odessa College (OC) partnered for the annual 8th grade high school program fair. A big thank you goes to the Odessa Development Corporation's sponsorship, too. This year’s theme was Ignite Your Future.
Throughout the day, more than 2,300 8th graders visited the fair where they could see what is available to them in high school. From the Choice School options, to the many and varied programs ranging from Athletics and Animation to Fashion Design and Fine Arts to Oil & Gas Production to Welding and everything in between.
“We really want students to know what their options are and what is available to them so they can make good decisions,” said ECISD Director of Career & Technical Education Kyrsten Nall.
“This year we increased the number of OC programs that are here and we also invited community members and businesses to come so that the students can see the progression of high school programs moving into college and eventually moving into the workforce,” Nall added.
To ignite someone is to spark emotion or motivation, awakening passion or curiosity. That precisely describes the mission of this annual 8th grade fair. Now as students are building their high school plans they have had a first-hand look at classes they can take and interests they can pursue.
“The [high school] counselors have reported back that students are more prepared to answer their questions whenever they go in to talk to them about their course choice are,” said Nall. “So, kids are feeling more confident in what they are choosing.”