Matt Powell, Agriculture Power and Machinery instructor at Pontotoc Ridge Career and Technology Center, announced that vo-tech students Presley Coker and Reid Bennett have received scholarships or apprenticeships to pursue careers based on their outstanding performances in the center's Ag. Science programs.
Presley Coker, the son of Jonathan and Amanda Coker, and Reid Bennett, the son of Larry and Patty Bennett, are both seniors at North Pontotoc High School.
Instructor Powell said that Coker has received a scholarship from Wade Incorporated into the John Deere Program and Bennett has received an apprenticeship through Caterpillar (CAT) Inc.
"Both these young men have had great accomplishments at the career center, but the greatest of all so far are these scholarships and apprenticeship opportunities," Powell said.
"The Scholarship that Presley has received from Wade Incorporated into the John Deere Program is a fully paid scholarship for tuition, books, housing, meal tickets, along with uniforms!"
"Next year Presley will attend Northwest Community College with the chance to receive his associates degree in Diesel Technology completely free of charge. Along with this scholarship, Wade Inc. will give Presley an interest free loan of $4,000.00 for tools alone and he will have a career with benefits at Wade Inc, in Pontotoc Ms, awaiting him upon graduation."
"Thanks to his hard work, Reid Bennett met a man named Tony Tice from Thompson Machinery CAT in Sherman, MS," Powell said. "Mr. Tice set this meeting up and Reid had to complete a series of tests and interviews with Caterpillar. Mr.Tice said Reid aced everything they threw at him and they've offered him a 16-week CAT apprenticeship program in Memphis, TN."
"This apprenticeship will provide uniforms, $6,800 worth of tools and instruction to become certified as a CAT technician. Once he graduates he will be employed by Thompson Machinery in Sherman."
Powell said that Presley Coker has proven to be an outstanding student at the Pontotoc Ridge Career and Technology Center since enrolling in the Ag. Science program as a freshman.
"Agricultural Science instructor Clint Young could tell early on that Presley was a worker with determination and a strong will to succeed," Powell praised.
Young said “Presley came in everyday willing to work and he put forth the effort that you don't see in a lot of freshmen his age. During his freshman year Presley joined the Future Farmers of America and was a distinguished 4 year FFA member."
"At the end of Presley's 10th grade year, he won the Ag Science program award. Presley is a one of a kind student highly deserving of this program award," Young concluded.
As a junior, Coker joined the Ag Power and Machinery Program under instructor Matt Powell.
"In October of his Junior year Presley struck his first arc with a stick welder," Powell said. "It wasn't long before Presley mastered the art of welding. Presley tried out for the Pontotoc Ridge FFA Welding team and competed for the first time in the North Central FFA Federation contest at Houston High School.
The Pontotoc Ridge Welding Team placed 1st and received the chance to move on to District competition.
Coker and the welding team competed at The North District contest in Tupelo Ms @ ICC and placed 2nd in the North half to proceed onto the State FFA Competition. The State FFA competition was held at the East Mississippi Community College campus in Mayhew Ms.
Source: djournal.com
Photo Credit: pexels-Fauxels
Categories: Indiana, Education, Equipment & Machinery