Tenth-graders Akeia Hall left and Nasya Lee right take a moment to show off their edible creations during FCTC open house.

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Davin Strunk center takes first place in the cake baking and decorating contest in the Culinary Art Class at FCTC, also pictured left is Troy Strunk and right Ethan Strunk. Ethan is Davin's younger brother and Troy is his nephew they are both ready to taste the award winning cake.

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Rayheem Whitener is a senior and cosmetology student at Fairfield Career and Technology seen here styling hair during open house.

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Shar'tia Dubard styles Khiaena Counts hair during open house event.

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This display case was built by Stepfon Boyd's carpentry students, it houses items from most of the 14 departments in the school and was once a canteen.

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WINNSBORO- The Fairfield Career and Technology Center hosted its open house with a great turn out of students, parents and family members.

The event was held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday and offered the students a chance to showcase their talent and skills.

As everyone entered the building they were greeted by new director Christopher Dinkins.

FCTC offers 14 programs that students can choose from and allows them to work toward a career while in school.

Some of those programs had work on display during the event.

For the students in Patty Reid’s culinary arts classes it was a time to pick up their cakes that they entered in the contest and to see who the winners were.

The students were judged in their respected grade level on the presentation and decoration of their cakes.

Reid said, “I have a great group of students who are very talented.”

Talented was right as the display tables were filled with single layer cakes. Some cakes contained candy, toys, and most were painted with edible air brush icing.

Across the hall in the carpentry class, there were name plates that had been hand carved and a dog house was in the works.

Just across in the next wing of the building, Vernell Gaither’s cosmetology students were busy styling family and friends’ hair.

Gaither has 12 students in her class and nine are preparing to take the state board examination. Once they finish high school, they can become licensed cosmetologists, provided they pass the board examination.

For Gaither, who has been at the school now for going on five years, it not just about teaching the students how to pass the class. She is teaching them to build a career for themselves, because she was once in the very same classroom they are in now.

The open house was a success. With many of the students bringing along younger family members, it sparked and interest that will surely continue to grow.