Paula Merritt / The Meridian StarAlexia Hampton, left, acts as the patient as Tiffany Hickman, sports medicine teacher, helps Tyana Clark wrap Hampton's ankle at Ross Collins Career and Technical Center. Sports medicine is one of several programs offered at the center. 

Kamarcus McDonald likes to inspire different kids every day, and especially likes it when they call his name. 

“When I see them at the store and they’re like, ‘There goes Mr. McDonald right there,’ it feels good,” said McDonald, a student at Ross Collins Career and Technical Center in Meridian.

McDonald, a sophomore, plans to study education in college and then become a kindergarten teacher.

At the Teacher Academy, he’s getting an early start on his career, working with children in daycare center at Ross Collins.  He said he was inspired by one of his teachers to consider a career in education. 

“If she can help me, then I can help someone else,” McDonald said. 

At Ross Collins, career and technical education is about more than just learning a trade. It’s become a place where students gain academic and real world job experience.

The center offers 13 programs for students in both the Meridian Public School District and Lauderdale County School District. In addition to the teacher academy, its also offers programs in computer science, culinary arts, automotive technology, carpentry, welding and marketing.

Sports medicine is a new course being offered this year.  

Rob Smith, the director the center, said that in the past, there was a stigma associated with career and technical education. That’s changed, as the field is now known for providing job experience or college credit to students.

“Our programs are like teaching academically for those who are college and career ready,” Smith said.

Devonte Hunter, who has been interested in engineering since he was 13, is one of those students. 

He described his classes as a combination of technical skills and academics.

“How can you say you are a critical thinker if you can’t solve a math problem,” Hunter said.

Sophomores Shakeria Stringfield, Octavia Scarbrough and Treshawn Hampton are students in the center’s computer science class. Stringfield said the class is preparing her for college, where she hopes to study computer science, while Scarbrough said what she’s learning now will help her save money in college.

Hampton, who has aspirations to be a video game designer, said the favorite thing he’s created was a painting, describing it as challenging and fun.

“It’s not about just sitting there and looking it at,” he said. “We do it ourselves.” 

Several students the computer science class also have a chance to be part of a new pilot program with C-Spire, Smith said. Students in the program can earn college credit, a degree or gain skills that will make them employable once they graduate from high school. 

“They will be our pioneers in our computer science development software pathway if they choose to be,” Smith said.

Sports medicine is another avenue students can choose at Ross Collins. 

Naomi Anderson, a softball player, likes gaining hands-on experience while helping other athletes at football games and at the hospital. 

“When I go to the games and see someone get hurt, I’m like ‘Okay, I know how to do this’,” Anderson said.

Smith said the main goal at Ross Collins is to prepare students for the future, while providing many opportunities to choose a career.

“Our challenge is to create jobs that haven’t been created yet,” Smith said.