WATCH: High school juniors and seniors on campus
From Alfred State College, pictured are Alfred State students assisting high school students with sonography of a goat
Sunshine greeted over 1,000 high school juniors and seniors at the Veterinary, Agricultural, Sciences, and Technology (VAST) career discovery event held at the Alfred State farm. The event organized by the Agriculture and Veterinary department drew students from near and far.
Students from over forty New York and Pennsylvania school districts had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of hands-on events staged around the farm. ASC faculty members and students introduced and let participants try for themselves skills including but not limited to drone piloting, heavy equipment operations, animal X-rays, horse hoof care and grooming, and welding.
“Being back on campus is always special for me because I have a lot of fond memories from being at the farm and taking classes,” commented Genesee Valley agriculture teach Carolyn Wright, ’19. “As an ag teacher bringing my students, they love to see where I had classes and they’re excited. It’s just a cool full circle moment. There’s engineering, physics, drones, surveying, and there’s everything else that they want to see. It gives them the hands-on experience that they need to be like, ‘Oh, this isn’t what I thought, or this is what I thought, and I love it.’ It gives them excitement going forward.”
Veterinary Technology student Elizabeth Reed was one of the students that joined faculty to interact and speak with the participants. “When I was in high school, I never had an opportunity to come to an event like this where I had an opportunity to get hands-on and learn about things that might be a part of my future career path. To be able to be here today and see these students getting this opportunity is exciting. The students are passionate, and they are willing to learn and do the different activities.”
Agriculture and Veterinary chair Phil Schroeder organized the event and had representatives from each of the three schools on campus participate. Students also had the chance to try their hand in fun activities like hay bale throwing, ax throwing, rock climbing, and baseball speed toss. Local food trucks were available to feed the students.
Agricultural Business major Gabriella Passero added, “It’s exciting that there’s an interest and they all have really good questions. I like having the students around and educating people. The rising popularity of this VAST program is cool.”
Wright concluded, “I’m hoping that they (students) do things that they’re interested in but then I also hope that they challenge themselves to explore some different areas so they can come away with an understanding of what other people do.”
Activities will continue at the farm tomorrow when local first and second graders participate in the annual Kiddie Ag Day. The students will learn all about the farm on tours led by ASC students.
An Alfred State degree gets results!
At Alfred State College, hands-on experience leads to career success. An emphasis on applied learning enables students to reach goals and develop the skills needed to thrive at in-demand jobs. With over 80 majors, 100 clubs and civic groups, and 18 NCAA Division III sports, Alfred State prepares students to become leaders, achievers, and Pioneers who are ready to Hit the Ground Running …
