Students flocked to the school grounds of LBW Community College’s Greenville campus Friday, though not necessarily for class, as the college partnered with the Butler County Career Tech Academy to host the Butler County College and Career Fair.

The event, held in the campus’s Wendell Mitchell Conference Center, saw more than 300 high school students from around the county—including Fort Dale Academy, Greenville High School, Georgiana School and McKenzie—received first-hand knowledge and experience from businesses, organizations and colleges in the surrounding area.

Peige Josey, director of the Greenville LBW campus and dean of administrative services, said that teaming up with the Butler County Career Academy was the start of a great partnership.

“We are so proud to be partnering with the Butler County School System to bring this opportunity to students,” she said. “We look forward to future joint endeavors.”

Otis Grayson, career coach for Butler and Conecuh counties, agreed.

“We have enjoyed the opportunity to work with LBW to showcase the programs they have along with the business and industry opportunities of Butler County,” he said.

“This has been a collaborative effort, and we hope to build on this relationship.”

Pioneer Electric was among the local businesses represented at the career fair, and Pioneer communications specialist Casey Rogers enjoyed a morning full of face time with students that compose the community Pioneer serves.

“We enjoy telling the students in our community about what sets Pioneer apart,” Rogers said.

“This is a great way to engage with our future leaders.”

Among those potential future leaders was Preston Hoffman, senior at Georgiana School. 

Hoffman, who will soon face the sometimes-stressful decision of choosing a college to attend, was able to interact with a number of potential university choices, including his current leading choice.

“I thought I got good information about college applications and scholarships,” Hoffman said.

“I talked to everyone from the Army to the University of Alabama.  Alabama is where I want to go.”