By DAWN BONE / Community Columnist

Several FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) students from Columbiana Middle School and Montevallo Middle School attended the CTE Day on the Hill in Montgomery on Feb. 15 sponsored by the Alabama Association for Career and Technical Education.

Students heard from Sen. Greg Reed as well as Rep. Tim Wadsworth and Rep. Connie Rowe.

Each speaker talked about the value of the skills they are learning in their career and technical education classes with heavy importance placed on the relationship between soft skills and success in the workforce industry.

Dr. Philip Cleveland, Alabama Deputy State Superintendent, Division of Career and Technical Education/Workforce Development, also spoke about the importance of career and technical education and encouraged the students to continue taking these classes.

All the students who attended the event were surprised with the opportunity to take a group picture with Gov. Robert Bentley on the Alabama State Capitol steps.

Shelby County students were on the front row standing beside the governor and some were able to have a quick conversation with him after the picture.

Bentley even took the time to straighten Columbiana Middle School student Denisen Justice’s tie.

After lunch, the students met with Rep. Corley Ellis from Columbiana for a question and answer session. He provided students with a tour of the Alabama State House, and they also discussed policy and how bills are passed.

He even invited interested students to apply for a page position. Lily Gallups, sixth grade student at Columbiana Middle School, said, “I enjoyed going to the state house and seeing where laws are passed. I did not realize we have 105 representatives and 35 senators.”

It was a fun day for all the teachers and students who attended.