(Photo provided) Wetzel County Tech Center students visit with Delegate Charles Sheedy, at left, during a visit to the capitol on Feb. 14. From left are Sheedy, Logan Morris, Dylan Tennant and Vincent Sigley.

NEW MARTINSVILLE – Wetzel County Technical Education Center students studying drafting and graphic design visited the West Virginia State Capitol and talked with legislators on Feb. 14.

The students also got to meet their House of Delegates representative, Charles Sheedy. They were accompanied by their instructor Rex Rush.

“The importance of this trip to the Capitol was to highlight the hard work and talent of Wetzel County Technical Education Center students,” Rush said. “They had the opportunity to see what other schools and technical centers offer and see some of their accomplishments.

“Also, the students had the experience of networking with the state board of education members Clinton Birch, chief officer of Technical and Adult Education; Adam Canter, director of Technical Education; James Coble, manager of Technical Education; and Tim Elliott, manager of Technical Education.

“Finally, the students had the opportunity to speak with members of the House and Senate to explain their work and skill sets they have learned.”

The technical center, which opened in 2018, teaches Wetzel and Tyler County’s sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school. Seniors are given the option to spend the entire school day at the tech center in one of their chosen programs.

The free training received at the tech center gives students the option to enter the workforce soon after graduation or continue their careers in college or a trade school if they choose to do so.

The programs last one to two years and include Drafting/Graphic Design; Baking & Pastry, Pro-Start; Health Science; Welding; Electrical; and TeachWV/Grown Your Own.