White Plains, AL – Students in 5th and 6th grade at White Plains Middle School experienced a close-up look at some of the community’s most essential professions during this year’s Careers on Wheels, a hands-on event designed to introduce students to real-world career opportunities through the vehicles, tools, and experts that keep the region running.
One of the most memorable moments of the day came from above as the Oxford Police Aviation Unit landed its helicopter on school grounds. Students met members of the aviation team and learned how helicopters support law enforcement operations, including search-and-rescue missions and aerial surveillance. After presentations concluded, students gathered at a safe distance to watch the helicopter hover in front of them before performing a fly-by departure.
Across the campus, the schoolyard transformed into a rotating expo. Students visited each station, asked questions, and explored equipment firsthand as professionals shared insights into their fields.
Career and community exhibitors included:
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Kona Ice, offering cool treats while discussing entrepreneurship and mobile business ownership.
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Boatwrights BBQ, sharing what goes into operating a successful food business.
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Alabama Game and Fish, showcasing wildlife exhibits and discussing conservation work.
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Alabama Forestry Commission, providing information on forest management, wildland firefighting, and environmental stewardship.
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Skinner’s Body Shop, demonstrating how a rollback wrecker operates and how it is used to safely recover and transport vehicles.
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B & B Developers, giving students a chance to explore construction equipment.
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Tractor Man, explaining welding fundamentals and how a mobile tractor repair service operates.
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Mack Tools, allowing students to explore a mobile tool sales unit and learn how technicians rely on specialty tools.
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Local Fire Department, displaying firefighting gear and explaining the equipment used to protect lives and property.
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Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, offering a look inside the command station vehicle and the “Bearcat” SWAT unit.
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New Flyer Bus Manufacturing, demonstrating how modern buses are built and highlighting career pathways in transportation manufacturing.
By the end of the day, students left with enthusiasm, new knowledge, and fresh ideas about the many paths available to them. For many, Careers on Wheels provided inspiration that may help shape future goals for years to come.
