Senior Jade Wilhoit has participated in the School to Work Program by working at Wilhoit Farm in the afternoons.
Jade said it has been a great experience working on the farm. "The benefits I have seen from the school-to-work program has been helping me understand if agriculture is the best career path for me. It has also provided me real-world experience and has helped develop my professional skills. Working with family on the farm has strengthened bonds through shared hard work, but also showed me how to manage personal and professional boundaries. Participating in a school-to-work program can provide seniors with valuable real-world experience, enhance their resumes, and help them build professional ties before graduating. My dad is a first generation farmer and this past year he has taught me so many life lessons and shown me true work ethic that will eventually lead me down the path of one day taking over the family farm and becoming a second generation farmer as a female."
The current owner/manager of the farm is her father, Jason. He noted: "Jade has run the combine, delivered parts, and helped fix equipment when things are broken. She has learned the business side of farming and the hardships that come during harvest season. Programs like school-to-work help students get their foot into the work force".
MHS provides programs like School to Work in an effort to give students real world experience and help prepare them for their future college or career pathways.