PSUSD High school academies to put skills on display at Career Technical Showcase

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Palm Springs Unified School District will host its annual College and Career Technical Education Showcase on May 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Palm Springs Air Museum, giving high school academy and pathway students a platform to show off the real-world skills they have learned throughout the school year.

This year's event, themed "Be the Star of Your Own Future," is being planned and managed almost entirely by students from across the district’s high schools. More than 30 student ambassadors are organizing the showcase, with seniors Alexa Rangel and Stephanie Padilla serving as student project managers.

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for students like me to showcase what we have to offer for the future," Rangel said.

Padilla said the planning process has been a learning experience in itself.

"It's allowed me to hone my people skills, because there's like 30 other students, so there's a lot of different personalities and different things going on," she said.

Cami Saliba, a Teacher on Special Assignment for College and Career Readiness, has guided the student ambassadors through the planning process. She said the event serves an important role in connecting the business community with the district's programs.

"It educates business leaders and small business owners in the valley to the many opportunities that our students take in high school and their future workforce skills," Saliba said. “If you're a business leader and you [go] to the showcase and you're interested in working with our students, if you see one of the programs that really applies to your business and you want to become a business partner, reach out to the College and Career Readiness Department at Palm Springs Unified.”

Attendees can expect hands-on exhibits, immersive decor and food prepared by students in the CAFA Academy. Students will be responsible for every aspect of the guest experience, from public relations to production.

"They really put their education into action," Saliba said. "They're going to offer displays and productions for the community to see what students have learned in the classroom and how it applies to real life and work."

Padilla made sure to note the event is designed to inspire students at all grade levels.

"The showcase allows younger students in elementary school or middle school to see the possibilities that high school has for them," she said.

Rangel added that the showcase extends a broader invitation to the entire Coachella Valley.

"They get to come, enjoy good food, network, talk with high schoolers, and really see what the experience is like in this year's education system," she said.

The event is free and open to the public in an open-house format. Visitors may drop in at any time between 4 and 7 p.m. at the Palm Springs Air Museum, located at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail.