Pictured left to right are Mr. Kim, Managing Director for SL Industries, Rebecca Krause, JES Teacher, Lisa Bolton, CTE Career Coach, Lacee Day, Marie Bowen, George Fuston, and Mr. Bill Smithhart, Plant Operations Manager (students not pictured that were active participants, Lincoln Wallace, and Addison Hackler).

By Charlotte Underwood

JELLICO, TN (WLAF) – Jellico Elementary School received a donation of $500 from SL Industries last week. The donation will be used for the school’s STEM and CTE programs. Jellico Elementary had participated in the Dream It. Do It. Video contest hosted by Anderson County Chamber of Commerce last month and had been paired up with SL Industries to tour the company’s plant and learn about its industry. Afterwards, students compiled a video for the competition.

On May 2nd, Jellico Elementary School eighth graders were invited to the Awards Ceremony for the Dream It. Do It. video competition in which they had competed. The ceremony was held at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

According to CTE Coach Lisa Bolton, “while their entry did not place, the students enjoyed the ceremony and the audience’s reactions to their video. They were able to tour the Museum after the ceremony and were invited to lunch at Big Ed’s Pizza by SL Industries. Lunch was a big hit with the students and delicious!”

When asked about their take on the Dream It. Do It. opportunity, student said the experience was a lot of fun!  Student Marie Bowen said, “the project was fun, and I bonded with my classmates in the process.” 

Student Lacee Day said she “learned more about manufacturing and great skills like video editing,” 

Jellico Elementary School teacher Rebecca Krause and several of her eighth graders attended the Dream It. Do It. Video competition awards ceremony held at Oak Ridge at the American Museum of Science and Energy.

“I had fun while learning about manufacturing and the opportunities that are available to my classmates and myself after graduation.,” was George Fuston’s reaction.

Teacher Rebecca Krause said, “This opportunity is an awesome way to introduce middle school students to the world of CTE and the industrial opportunities in our area that benefit all stakeholders in the future. This experience was enlightening and broadened our students’ horizons.”

Jellico Elementary participants were asked to return to SL Industries for a presentation and were shocked and excited to receive $500 for their school’s STEM and CTE program. Lisa Bolton, CTE Career Coach said, “It has been so wonderful to work with SL Industries and these students on this project. SL Industries has been an amazing partner in our project, and to give us $500 to our program is such a fabulous legacy for these students to be a part of.” SL Industries also presented each student and teacher with an SL bag, water bottle and other goodies. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/08/2024-6AM)

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