On November 18, 2025, the 8th graders from Ravenswood Middle School took an amazing field trip to the Roane-Jackson Technical Center, and it was definitely one of the most eye-opening experiences of the year. As an 8th grader, I (Ryder Keyes) thought this trip was a really great opportunity for me and my classmates to see what kinds of programs we could get involved in once we reach high school.
During our visit, we got to tour different classrooms and see what students were working on. Some of us checked out the automotive program and watched students work on real engines, which was super cool. We also visited the welding shop, where we learned how they use sparks and metal to create things. The health sciences lab showed us some of the equipment used for practicing medical skills, and the computer tech room had students working on coding and building computers. Every station showed us something different, and it made the whole trip exciting.
Seeing all of these hands-on programs helped me picture what high school might really be like. Before this trip, I didn’t fully understand how many options there were. Now I feel like I have a much clearer idea of what I might want to do in the future, and I know my classmates feel the same way.
I would like to thank all of the staff at Ravenswood Middle School for arranging this incredible opportunity, and also the teachers and students at Roane-Jackson Technical Center for showing us around. Visiting Vo-Tech gave me a better idea of my interests, my goals, and what paths I might want to take in high school.