Rome High Work Based Learning Student Talks About Success in Construction Pathway

As construction of the Rome City Schools College and Career Academy (CCA) nears completion, students and faculty are busy letting their stakeholders know what is in store for students in 2021.

One student who has been part of the process since the beginning is Jace Brumbelow.

Brumbelow is a senior at Rome High School who is participating in the construction work-based learning pathway. Not only has he been busy learning about all-things construction, but he has been helping to complete odd jobs in and around the new CCA building.

“When I started high school, there was a construction course offered to freshmen. So, I decided to give it a try. Almost immediately, I met the teacher (Tracy Warren) and we clicked,” said Brumbelow. “I really enjoyed the work we did in that class; it was truly eye opening. When the pathway was offered, I knew that I wanted to explore the opportunity. That is how I got here.”

Brumbelow takes a lot of pride in his work with the CCA, and it shows.

“A lot of the work we have been doing around the College and Career Academy (CCA) is cleaning up. Right now, we are making sure to get the debris and trash cleaned up from around the parking lot, so that it looks nice when it is finished,” explained Brumbelow. “We have also helped the construction company on specific jobs that we could help with. For example, we have helped with constructing temporary doors in the back; we have gone into the building and filled holes and just made sure all of the impurities were covered. We are also scheduled to help lay the flooring pretty soon.

“One thing my teacher has always taught us is that you can’t get into this job and approach it halfway,” he continued. “So, when we started, we got to work.”

Brumbelow is excited for the opportunities the College and Career Academy will offer to all Rome students, as they have given him a means to a career that he is passionate about.

“It means a lot, as a student, to have this opportunity offered to me while in high school. It has truly put me ahead and I am so happy to have discovered my passion early,” he said. “I enjoy every day of this job; it means a lot to me. Even if I come in four days of the week and sweep, it is experience and it is teaching me the value of hard work. I feel like this is what the real world is going to be like.”

Rome City Schools is proud to be able to offer opportunities like this to hardworking students like Jace.