PCHS Career Ready CATS

Home
United States
Benton, TN
PCHS Career Ready CATS

Guiding students to be career ready through advisement, academics, skills & training

08/13/2026

9th & 10th graders are invited to learn more about the Industry Distinction 4.0 (ID4) diploma distinction. This diploma credential is for students interested in high-need, high-skill careers after graduation.

Students will meet with a Career Coach and commit to completing a combination of 9 dual enrollment or work based learning courses during their junior and senior years.

Paper applications are due before the end of sophomore year to be admitted into the program. Students can stop by Mrs Thomason’s office to learn more!

Parents are asked to complete the interest survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkjuhCLU9MuPoaH1IRNjZWRliV0r0cwNMKwrkvMLjgTbrsQA/viewform

07/17/2026

🎉Congratulations to our newest certified phlebotomists! We celebrated Emma Guthrie and Rose Merrell at the white coat ceremony held Thursday, July 16th at Cleveland State.

We’re so proud of you ❤️💙

06/19/2026

🍎 Claudia Lairmore, senior, spent time last week with Lee University at their “Teach for a Day” camp! 🍏

👩‍🏫 As a prospective future teacher, she stepped into a real classroom where she learned how to plan and implement a lesson for middle schoolers who are attending a local summer camp. She was given the opportunity to teach a lesson and provide an assessment to experience the impact of teaching firsthand. 👏

📚 “This helped me decide that I want to become a teacher! Speaking to the students one-on-one during the lesson was the highlight of my day.” Claudia plans to earn her education degree with a double major allowing her to teach both math and history, while adding an endorsement in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Thank you, Helen DeVos College of Education - Lee University, for giving students this wonderful experience. We are so proud of you, Claudia! ❤️💙

05/18/2026

Thank you to our newest partner, Peyton's Cleveland!! Your donation will keep our Career Ready program moving forward into next year!

Pictured L-R:
PCHS Asst Principal, Jeff Lanning; PCHS Career Coach, Le-An Thomason; Peyton’s representative, Heather Stanley C***s; PCHS Principal, Rachel Lowe; CTE Director, Dr. Ryan Goodman

05/11/2026

We’re proud to announce a new partnership with the Smart Factory Institute operated by Peak Performance at the PIE Center campus providing students a unique experience working with area manufacturers.

Senior, Lucas Teague, has been employed through an ExLENT grant where he has worked on various projects using his mechatronics skills. This grant aims to build a skilled STEM workforce by providing opportunities to high school students who have completed a dual enrollment Technical Calculations course.

“We’re excited about the impact of high school apprenticeships at the Smart Factory! Lucas has been busy this semester replacing the broken wheels on our desks, repairing the stage, and even disassembling unnecessary parts on our robot. It’s amazing to see students gain real-world skills through work-based learning. This hands-on experience not only prepares them for future careers but also gives them a taste of what a career in manufacturing can be like!” - Denise Hall, President and CEO.

Juniors, Maggie Price, Chloe Trew, Gracie Waters, Carlee Cross, and Laney Williams volunteered at the Smart Factory Workforce Conference in April.

Thank you, Denise, and everyone at Peak Performance!

05/08/2026

🎓Congratulations to Abi Moorhouse and Piper Grosick for being the first Polk County students to complete the Tennessee Valley Early College program with Cleveland State Community College. Today, Abi received her Mechanical Engineering AS degree, while Piper received her General Technology AAS degree. 🎉

We are so proud of you! ❤️💙

05/07/2026

🎓 44 students from the Class of 2026 received their Ready Graduate designation at our awards ceremony today. 👏

Congratulations to each of these Wildcats for their hard work! 😍

Front row, L-R:
Lili Par, Devon Baskin, Elijah Lowe, Caiden Lewis, Andrew Lundy, Alex Contreras, Jacob Wilcox, Kody Johnson

Second row, L-R:
Willow Moates, Kaylin Bullard, Abi Moorhouse, Addicyn Thompson, Lucy Hawkins, Adamaris Vazquez-Morales, Clara Randall, Gracie Waldroup, Emma Guthrie, Adalynn Hair

Third row, L-R:
Micah Day, Lola Bundy, Aubree Beavers, Piper Grosick, Christy Teasley, Madison Reagan, Ariana Young, Mackenzie Stone, Megan Stafford, Darvee Deverell

Top row, L-R:
Cayden Childs, Isaiah Morgan, Neeka Payne, Gabe Adams, Jacob Kirkland, Xander Bowers, Lucas Teague, and Harmoni Luce.

Not pictured:
Emily Kirkland, Haden Kirkland, Mackenzie Pike, Rori Sauls, Hunter Stinnett, Trenton Thomas, Maci Whaley, and Matty Waldroup.

Congratulations, Wildcats! 🐾

05/06/2026

✍️SkillsUSA National Signing Day at Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Athens ✍️

We proudly celebrate 5 seniors as they take the next big step in their future by committing to a TCAT program.

Today’s signing recognizes their hard work, commitment, and dedication to excellence in their field. They’re choosing career pathways that keep our community running and we are SOO excited for them ❤️ 💙

🎉 Congratulations to these Class of 2026 graduates: 🎉

Automotive Tech-Xander Cantrell and Neeka Payne

Practical Nursing-Rose Merrell

Welding-Matthew Maxwell

Cosmetology-Abigail Hudson

04/29/2026

🎓The Cleveland State Community College Tennessee Valley Early College Class of 2026 held its honors reception where the 24 students from all districts were celebrated for their accomplishments. They received their caps, gowns, and regalia for next Thursday’s college graduation!

Abi Moorhouse and Piper Grosick proudly represented Polk County as our inaugural participants and graduates.

Congrats Abi & Piper! 👩‍🎓

04/28/2026

The Polk @ PIE program is finishing its second year! Juniors and seniors at Polk County High School can travel to the PIE Innovation Center to receive training with local industries. Polk students can choose from MEP, HVAC, Machining, Diesel Technology, and the Wright Brothers Construction program.

Luke Cross, senior, has taken classes at the PIE Center for two years and was offered a paid pre-apprenticeship with Massey Electric. He recently completed his NC3 Greenlee certifications in several areas!

Cameron Hatcher, Will Lovvo, Haiden Reedy, and Braxton Vigil, juniors, completed the entry level course and plan to return for the upper-level classes next year.

Students interested in attending the PIE Center may require advanced scheduling during the freshman and sophomore years.
Please contact Le-An Thomason, Career Coach, for more information.

Address

7200 US/411
Benton, TN
37307

Telephone

+14232990078

Website

http://Www.Polk-schools.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when PCHS Career Ready CATS posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to PCHS Career Ready CATS:

Featured

The Blackbird Academy
2806 Azalea Place, Nashville

Want your school to be the top-listed School/college in Benton?