The following three stories each have significance because they touch on different aspects of the Carroll County High School Building Trades program.

1.  Abe (not his real name) was every instructor's dream student.  He was bright, well-mannered, and very enthusiastic.  He embraced every lesson as an opportunity to learn.  On numerous occasions, he put those newly acquired skills to work earning money in the evenings and on weekends doing small jobs for others.  The Carroll County High School Building Trades program was able to allow this student to go above and beyond that of the standard students, as this program is a dual-credit class through Wytheville Community College, the Construction Technology  Program specifically.  Abe's enthusiasm led to a conversation between the Building Trades instructors, the Carroll County Guidance Staff, and one of the Wytheville Community College deans.  As a result, the high school entered into an agreement with WCC which allows students to attend WCC during and after school hours, paid for by the Carroll County Public School System.  To Abe's benefit, he was able to combine the in-class credits with the after school credits and he received his Plumbing Certificate from Wytheville Community College a week before he graduated from high school.  Following graduation, he received his Contractor's License, and two years later he passed his DPOR Journeyman's exam (this was as quickly as permitted by DPOR).

2.  Bob (not his real name)  was the quiet student that you never really knew if you were meeting his needs or potential.  Bob began competing in the SkillsUSA plumbing competition and found his niche.  As he quickly caught on to lessons, he had time to utilize some self-directed study and practice, which allowed him to perfect his skills.  SkillsUSA brought him drive and determination that culminated in his winning at the Virginia SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference his senior year.  Part of the significance is that Bob was competing against students that were in a plumbing program, while the content of the Carroll County High School Building Trades program focuses on carpentry, masonry, and electrical, in addition to plumbing. This program and SkillsUSA allowed Bob to reach as far as he chose in an area of his choice.  While Bob qualified to compete at the SkillsUSA National Leadership conference, he was unable to attend due to a summer scheduling conflict. The 2nd place Virginia plumbing contestant went and placed 3rd in the nation (Bob knows that he beat the third best plumber in the nation).  Bob is now attending Wytheville Community College in the HVAC program and using his plumbing skills, but in an area not offered through the Carroll County School System.

3.  Cam (not his real name) was one of those students who was a distraction in class because, while he was capable, he viewed class as a social event.  He was very outgoing and could enthrall the entire class with some of his stories as soon as the instructor's back was turned, or in some cases, before.  While Cam had an IEP, the instructor determined that he needed a new approach to reach this student.  A perfect individual project was selected and introduced to Cam.  This showed Cam that he was valued, trusted, and believed in, something that Cam was not used to from a teacher.  After two days, Cam decided the project was beyond his capabilities.  At the same time, his attitude seemed to be changing.  Rather than using the project as a place to hide from the instructor's expectations, he seemed more eager to please.  As a result, he was given a leadership role in a group project and he was able to now use his social skills in a positive manner.  Cam's story does not end there.  Just before graduation, one of his former principals visited the shop and admitted to Cam that he had not expected him to make it to graduation.  Cam agreed and added that he would not have stayed in school if it were not for Building Trades.  While Cam did not go on to Wytheville Community College, he graduated high school, became gainfully employed in the construction industry, even in this depressed economy, and is doing very well.