Six Brandywine High School students got the chance to visit the state capitol while showing off their skills in the tool shop during a showcase of the state’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs April 22.

Each spring, some of the best CTE programs in Michigan are highlighted at the showcase, which is held inside the hallways of the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing.

Programs from around the state were selected that represent career pathways and opportunities for CTE students statewide.

Brandywine offers several CTE related programs, including the Machine Tool Academy in partnership with Lake Michigan College.

Juniors and seniors from around the region — not just Brandywine — learn in the academy at Brandywine High School during the day, while college students use the space in the evening after grade school lets out.

Jim Boger, Brandywine’s CTE director and assistant principal, said students made things like dice and dog tags for legislators who visited Brandywine’s booth at the capitol building. They also talked to legislators about what they do in school and the business industry itself.

Senior Nick Piszker even made a Yahtzee game set out of aluminum for Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.

“I think they (students) had a phenomenal time,” Boger said. “It was amazing watching them pull the adults in and say, ‘look what we are doing.’

“A comment we kept getting was that our students are really excited and love what they do.”

Brandywine CTE students attending were: Brian Bosler, of Buchanan, senior; Kaytlyn Metz, sophomore; Kaleigh Kendall, junior; Robert Bella, senior; Jakob Szilagyi, senior; and Piszker.

For more information about CTE programs held at Brandywine, visit berriencte.org.