Take a look around at an unexpectedly large car (and motorcycle) show.
ROSS PICKAWAY COUNTY LINE — The high school training ground celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday. “From Blueprint to Boom: Celebrating 50 Years of Career Tech Innovation” was an all-day event at the Pickaway Ross Career & Technology Center.
The car show, which was much larger than expected, was a big part of the event, which also included a reception for graduates and retirees, tours, ice cream and food, raffles, a children's tractor pull and bouncy houses.
From PRCTC social media.
I asked schools Superintendent Jonathan Davis about the event, who told me that PRCTC opened in 1974 and spent much of the beginning of the school year preparing for its 50th anniversary.
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Davis said they had originally planned on having 50 to 75 cars, but the show drew more than 150, so students had to make more plaques to commemorate their participation. Davis said the numbers show there is a great alumni base that came together from all over the state for the day.
The Pickaway Ross Career & Technology Center serves all high school seniors in both counties (except Teays Valley), as well as eighth-graders, Davis said. The center has had more than 350 graduating students and about 420 high school seniors. The center serves about 50 vocational school districts across the state.
He says a lot has changed in half a century, but a lot has stayed the same: They still prepare students for professions like welding, cosmetology, electrical and business, but now they offer college opportunities, paths to veterinary assistantships and new skills like robotics.
Davis said the facility has been renovated many times, most recently with an interior renovation about 15 years ago, but renderings are on display for a 16,000-square-foot expansion due for completion within the next year that will add two high-ceiling labs and several other programs.
Hear him in his own words in the video interview below, and be sure to check out more of the events that took place late Saturday: The second video gives us an in-depth look at the car show.
Pickaway Ross Career & Technology Center has a website and is active on Facebook. X/TwitterYouTube and Instagram.
Jonathan Davis, director of the Pickaway Ross Career & Technology Center, will explain the 50 years.
Here's a quick look at the 50th anniversary exterior. It's seven and a half minutes long. It features renderings of the 16,000 square foot expansion that's due to be completed within the next year, which will add two high-ceiling labs and some other programs. It's in front of the original dedication plaque. Fun for the kids. Let's go.
