Castle Rock School District welcomed more than 500 students and 50 vendors for its fifth annual Skilled Trades & College Fair on April 22. The day celebrated career-connected learning and showed the district’s commitment to helping students explore all post-high school options, including skilled trades, college, military service, and local employment.
Held at Castle Rock High School, the event featured hands-on activities, equipment demonstrations, and real-world career insights. This year’s fair saw its largest turnout yet, with students attending from six neighboring high schools – Toutle Lake, Toledo, Kelso, Mark Morris, R.A. Long, and Wahkiakum – joining Castle Rock students, including eighth graders.
One of the biggest highlights of the day was a helicopter landing by the Washington Army National Guard. The helicopter carried ROTC students from local high schools and gave attendees an up-close look at military equipment and careers. After the landing, students had the opportunity to get a closer look, exploring the helicopter inside and out and speaking with Guard members about their experiences. The moment offered a powerful glimpse into what a future in the National Guard could look like.
For Owen Yeager, a junior at Castle Rock High School, the fair was a chance to learn more about the cadet program with the City of Longview Police Department – a field he hopes to enter once he turns 21. His advice for future attendees?
“Come with an open mind – remember to shake hands and smile!”
The fair was a true community effort, with local businesses and organizations coming together to invest time and resources to support our students. Partners such as the Castle Rock Police Department, Weyerhaeuser, JH Kelly, and the Department of Natural Resources, among many others, were onsite to connect with students and answer questions.
“A common question is what is an esthetician,” shared Kim from Southwest Washington Esthetics Institute. “So many students don’t even know that becoming an esthetician is a career option, and it’s a great one!”
Southwest Washington Esthetics Institute has participated in the fair for four years, each time making new connections with students and future clients. “We’re newer,” said Kim. “A lot of people don’t know about us, so that exposure is important.”
Castle Rock seniors came prepared. Under the guidance of Collin Nelson, the school’s agriculture and CTE instructor who was also the leading force behind the event, students spent the month leading up to the fair attending resume workshops, participating in mock interviews, and refining communication skills.
As Castle Rock continues to grow its partnerships and career programming, events like the Skilled Trades & College Fair play a vital role in helping students imagine and prepare for their futures.
