The Jones County High School had their first ever CTAE student of the year ceremony April 18, with three nominees giving a brief presentation. The three nominees, Sydney Bearden, Caleb Jackson and Tyler Poythress all went through the CTAE program.
CTAE stands for career, technical and agricultural education, and all three nominees went down that pathway. After the presentations, judges nominated Tyler Poythress as the CTAE student of the year for 2022. He said he was excited to be nominated.
“I’ve been involved in FFA since 2016 when I was in seventh grade, and I’m an officer this year. I’m a treasurer,” he said. “I am also involved in the different CDEs, which are career development events. Those are competitions between us and other chapters in the area, so I’ve done a lot to reach this point.”
Poythress said he’s taken nine of the 10 pathways offered at the Jones County High School after this school year. He said he joined FFA, because in middle school they had connections and he was selected for the agricultural connections. All nominees were in a CTSO, career and technical student organization. Poythress’s is FFA
“I enjoyed it that year, so the next year I was able to choose an elective to do that would count as a high school credit. I chose to do that, and it’s continued on from there. I really enjoy FFA and all it’s had to offer me. I love the competitions we do,” Poythress said.
The CTAE student of the year said he was surprised to be chosen as the student of the year out of the three candidates. He said he feels the other two students did a better job, and that he was very nervous when he stood up and gave his presentation.
“I was very nervous about this. I think my parents are extremely proud of me for this accomplishment,” the student of the year said. “I plan to go to Tifton and attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to get an agricultural assistance and technology management degree.”
Poythress said with the degree he plans to get, he could have an agricultural management career. He said he could manage fabrication facilities, farms and all sorts of other careers based on what classes he decides to take.
He said his favorite class with the CTAE pathways has been agriculture mechanics. He said they get to do small engine work and welding. He said he enjoys getting to do those sorts of useful things.
“Before I went for a CTAE pathway, I was doing computer science, and this has changed my mind completely,” Poythress said. “I love agriculture, and before taking these classes I thought it was just all about farming. It’s so much more.”
