Eighth-grade students from Neponset Grade School and Central Junior High School attended the Junior Achievement Inspire Career Expo Nov. 13 at the Bend XPO Center in East Moline.

The expo is an interactive, hands-on experience designed to introduce middle school students to a wide range of career pathways.

During the visit, students explored career clusters, met with business representatives and participated in engaging activities that helped them connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities. 

Supt. Rebecca Baney and KHS Principal Amanda Tidwell first learned of the expo opportunity at the Illinois State FFA convention and advocated for Kewanee students to attend. JA of the Heartland extended the invitation to the district’s eighth graders.

Neponset Principal Dena Hodge Bates said students returned from the experience “excited and inspired.” 

“Events like the JA Inspire Career Expo align with the district’s mission to ‘Inspire the Mind and Honor the Heart’ of each and every student,” said Baney. “By interacting directly with professionals across high-demand industries, our students begin to formulate the vision for their futures. We want these experiences to translate into college and career pathway endorsement opportunities at Kewanee High School.”

The school district “extends its appreciation to Junior Achievement of the Heartland and all participating employers for providing this meaningful experience for students,” the superintendent said.