PCS CTE Connections Fall 2026

Eight weeks in and nearing the end of our first quarter, we’re still showing up, putting in the work, and laying the foundation for lasting success.

💼 DECA Shining at District Competition! DECA students from HTHS and THS attended district competition, putting their business, marketing, and leadership skills to the test! 📈🏆

🦈 PCS CTE Students Sweep Shark Tank! Pender and Topsail High School students brought their original business ideas to the second annual Youth Entrepreneurship Shark Tank Competition hosted by the Genesis Block Foundation at Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station. Our students swept the event, showing confidence, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit as they pitched to a panel of judges! Congratulations to Kyleik Cherry, Jahiem Lambe, Kimon Moore, Trymel Motta, Ja’Dias Williams, Esme Segers, Collin Pine, Walker Powell, and Caleb Adams! 🚀👏

🩺 Future Healthcare Heroes! Health Science students from PHS, THS, HTHS, and PECHS attended the second night of the Healthcare Explorer Program at Novant Health Scotts Hill Medical Center. They gained valuable hands-on experience and earned their Stop the Bleed certification! 🩸

⚖️ Inspiring Young Minds! Burgaw Middle School students had the special opportunity to hear from the Honorable Judge Faison. Students learned about leadership, responsibility, and making positive choices. 📚

👏 We love seeing our students take their learning beyond the classroom, explore career pathways, connect with community leaders, and build skills for their futures! 💙

💯 Let’s celebrate another 100% credential attainment! Congratulations to Mr. Dixon at PHS for his students’ 100% attainment in OSHA 10.

🤝 Collaboration in Action! This upcoming week, our teachers will participate in PLCs with New Hanover County Schools. Educators will share best practices, exchange ideas, and connect with local business partners to strengthen instruction and create meaningful, real-world learning experiences for students. 📚💡

The Honorable Judge Faison of Pender County visited Burgaw Middle School to share an important message about ethics and career opportunities in the legal system. He reminded students that “Being honest, being fair, showing up to work and doing what is right is ethics.” His visit connected with the Career and Technical Education Digital Literacy curriculum, reinforcing the importance of responsible digital citizenship, ethical decision-making, and exploring careers in the legal system.

A special thank-you to Burgaw community member and substitute teacher, Ms. McIntyre, and the Burgaw Middle School team for coordinating this valuable learning opportunity for students! 👏

Surf City Middle 8th graders completed the Work Values Sorter on NCcareers.org as part of North Carolina’s Career Development Plan requirements. Students explored what they value in a work environment and applied their discoveries to schoolwork, projects, extracurricular activities, and future high school courses.

A special thank-you to Ms. Smith, SCMS counselor, who led this activity alongside the CTE Middle School Career Development Coordinator, and to the 8th-grade social studies team for hosting!

Ask your Shark to show you what they learned in NCcareers.org!

It’s been a busy week in Mr. Odom’s classroom at Cape Fear Middle! 6th-grade Engineering students are building toothpick bridges and preparing to test their strength, while 7th graders are putting their balsa wood bridges to the test—with two already holding an impressive 61 pounds and 59 pounds! Meanwhile, 8th-grade Robotics students have started building their first custom robots, working in teams and eager to get them moving. Engineering, teamwork, and innovation in action!

Ms. Keller’s Health Science students at Surf City Middle are exploring health careers through hands-on activities! 6th graders practiced taking patient vitals, 7th graders learned about orthodontists and dental molds, and 8th graders discovered the many responsibilities of pharmacists. By putting their learning into practice, students are building career knowledge while having fun! 🩺💙

Students in Mrs. Turner’s classes at Surf City Middle are building skills for life beyond the classroom! 8th graders are calculating GPAs, exploring mental health awareness with meditation, and creating personal budgets. 7th graders are negotiating salaries, subtracting expenses, and learning financial literacy through EverFi. Meanwhile, 6th graders are practicing keyboarding on Typing.com and wrapping up EverFi Digital Literacy modules.

🍬 Classroom Need: Nut-free candy for student rewards! Donations will be designated specifically for the donor’s student’s class.

• October 19th - Brick by Brick Small Business and Entrepreneurship Meet and Greet
• October 20-26 - Free College Application Week
• October 21 -22 - PCS CTE PD Day at UNCW - Veterans Hall
• October 30 - Haunted HealthCare Day @ Heide Trask High School