MOUNT VERNON — About 200 advisory members gathered at the Knox County Career Center Thursday for a tase of what students are learning in the classroom.
The annual dinner brought together local business professionals associated with the career tech programs at KCCC. Better known as advisory members, these individuals use their field knowledge to support the center and students.
Before the dinner, members got a chance to see their support in action at the high school career tech labs. There, they were able to learn more about the curriculum and provide feedback.
Following the lab meetings, guests gathered in the KCCC cafetorium, where a meal prepared by this year’s culinary students waited.
The AFJROTC Color Guard opened the dinner with the Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance.
KCCC Superintendent Kathy Greenich then led the invocation.
“Since we are both teacher and students for our entire life, we ask you to guide our thoughts and process with the wisdom to make good choices,” Greenich said.
Greenich began the presentation with the center’s vision statement: “Prepare students for success.”
That mission, Greenich said, would only be possible with the support of the people in the room.
“Our biggest key to fulfilling our mission is you — our teachers, our staff and our business partners. It takes all of us working together to provide opportunities to our students to learn, grow in their career fields, so that they can be successful,” Greenich said.
Celebrating student success
KCCC recently received a 5-star rating on it’s Career Technical Planning District Report Cards.
While the rating provides a reason to celebrate, Director Elaine Robinson said that attendees must remember the students are more than numbers.
“Everyone knows that behind every number is a face, and behind every face is a name,” Robinson said.
Robinson spoke about the students lives beyond the classroom. She said that many maintain busy schedules outside of school while working toward their educational and career goals.
Knox Technical Center Director Kim Williams also shared updates for the 2026-27 school year.
The Criminal Justice program became available to students this year. This path will introduce students to potential post-graduation careers in local, state and federal law enforcement, all branches of the military, 911 services and other fields.
Williams also announced the new Culinary Arts lab, the Open River Room, is scheduled to open in November. The space will serve as a student-run restaurant.
A two-day preparation
Preparing the dinner required two days of work for KCCC’s culinary students.
Led by Chef Matt Russo, students spent those hours preparing an autumn-themed buffet.
The menu featured a variety of dishes. Herb-roasted chicken, orange-glazed salmon, wild rice cranberry-walnut pilaf were just a few of the offerings created by the culinary students.
(Here are Alexandra Hopkins’ photos of the event).
