Empower students showcase project‑based learning and career pathways to Jackson County board

Empower students demonstrated how project‑based learning, industry certifications and career‑focused pathways are preparing them for post‑secondary work and study.

At a Jackson County Board of Education work session, students from Empower — including Jackie Blauvelle, Sarai Flemish Tharid, Christopher Story, Estrada, Tate Pinion and Zima Hafi — described classroom projects that combine hands‑on labs with written summaries and formal presentations. Jackie Blauvelle, describing her coursework in a public law and safety pathway, said literacy is woven into “reading and writing and content areas” and cited presenting at a JROTC military ball as a leadership example.

John Easley, chief executive officer of Empower, framed the student remarks with a brief update on the program’s five‑year improvement plan and three pillars: project‑based learning, school culture and literacy. “We’ve got an amazing staff. We’ve got wonderful students, and we are working really hard at implementing those things,” Easley told the board.

Students gave concrete examples: an AIA architectural competition and a Shark Tank‑style business project in which teams researched markets, selected business structures and pitched products — one student said her product was “pumpkin muffins,” and judges provided feedback on pricing and profitability. Zima Hafi, who participates in architecture and construction pathways, described a project‑based economics class where students built mock companies and did cost analyses.

Several students reported SkillsUSA participation and related career‑exposure opportunities. Christopher Story and peers said visiting SkillsUSA events connected students with employers and colleges; one student described making a cabinet for judges in a SkillsUSA competition.

Board members and district staff noted they use student surveys to gather input and said administrators review and attempt to implement student suggestions. Dr. Brown and the board thanked the students for the presentation.

The presentations were part of a broader work session that included academic and operations reports; Empower’s planned college and career center renovation was also discussed later in the meeting.