Vicksburg schools win $1.6M CTE grant; board spotlights seniors' awards

Vicksburg Community Schools announced a three-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant totaling $1,600,000 that district leaders said will fund local CTE expansion and student opportunities.

Superintendent Keeven O'Neil told trustees the grant will support program growth at the high school and related departments. "That money is gonna be... a 3 year grant to help support our CTE programs moving forward," he said.

The meeting also featured recognitions honoring the class of 2026. Principal Adam Brush introduced recipients of the Dar Good Citizen of the Year Award (sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution), the Principal Leadership Award and the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award. Students recognized included Kayla Chisholm (DAR Good Citizen), Maya (Principal Leadership Award and valedictorian, who said she helped shape bond components through the superintendent's student advisory board and plans to study pre-law at the University of Wisconsin–Madison), Taylor Van Dam (YWCA Woman of Achievement, patient care technician pathway), and a range of CTE award winners (marketing, accounting, culinary, veterinary science and patient care).

Students described classroom experiences and post‑graduation plans: Kayla said AP Spanish and peer mentoring stood out for her; Maya described her work on the superintendent's student advisory board and plans to study pre-law; Taylor described certifications in phlebotomy and EKG and said she will be certified as a patient care technician at month’s end.

Why it matters: the CTE grant creates funding the district can use to expand hands-on career pathways and related courses; the recognitions highlighted students who had won scholarships and program awards.

What happens next: district staff will develop budgets and program plans to spend the CTE funds over three years and present implementation details to the board.