In a remarkable display of skills and creativity, Benson Polytechnic High School recently hosted its 102nd Tech Show, an event that highlighted the achievements of students engaged in career technical education (CTE).
The health wing of the newly modernized school served as a platform for senior Ruby Mullins, who provided blood glucose readings, showcasing her proficiency and the hands-on learning that CTE offers.
With education models evolving, Portland Public Schools is increasingly prioritizing CTE, attracting students looking for viable career paths amid rising college costs.
This shift is evident as statistics indicate that approximately 29% of students in the Class of 2024 demonstrated postsecondary readiness through CTE, a notable increase from 23.9% in 2021.
Mullins, who has chosen nursing as her path due to her experience as a caretaker for her mother, emphasizes the valuable skills and confidence she’s gained through the program.
“Nursing has given me a great way to learn a bunch of skills that I wouldn’t have known until years later,” she stated.
Mullins further expressed that her experiences have not only improved her advocacy for her mother but for herself as well.
The Tech Show not only attracted current students but also a significant number of alumni, some of whom had not returned for over 50 years.
This turnout aligns with the recent modernization of Benson, which now stands as the most expensive high school project ever undertaken in Oregon, costing a staggering $416 million after facing budget overruns.
Rob Johns, a passionate supporter of Benson and a 1977 graduate, has long championed the school’s modernization.
He noted that despite challenges with enrollment in Portland Public Schools (PPS), Benson continues to draw students eager to develop unique skill sets.
Currently, Benson has an enrollment of 896 students, a figure impacted by an enrollment cap that Johns has actively advocated to lift.
District officials have indicated plans to raise this cap in the upcoming year, which may further enhance the diverse opportunities available at Benson.
The school’s innovative programming allows students to explore eight different career pathways before selecting a major and diving deeper into their chosen fields during their junior and senior years.
Johns emphasized the importance of providing students with various options to discover their interests, stating, “You don’t have to go to college. [We say] ‘Have people find their pathways.’ But if they aren’t given a door to open, how do you expect them to figure that out?”
In his first year as an electrical instructor at Benson, Ricky Booker Jr., a 2005 alumni, reflects on his own experiences and the importance of hands-on education.
Having chosen an apprenticeship after high school instead of college, Booker sees electrical work as a perfect blend of his fascination with math and physical labor.
“We’re heading into a time where a lot of things are going to be automated. If jobs dry up, you’re going to need industry and need people that want to work with their hands,” he asserted.
Student Natalia Matos, inspired by her experience in Booker’s class, plans to pursue a career in electrical work, noting her newfound passion for the trade.
She expressed, “I definitely chose it as my career after my experience in my electric class. I realized I really enjoy the work and I find it super easy to grasp.”
In the senior project showcase, Matos and a groupmate presented an innovative chair designed to create sensory experiences for its users, reveling in the audience’s reaction.
Jordan Ryan, another student involved in the CTE program as a construction major, also showcased their project—a work-in-progress foosball table.
Unlike Matos, Ryan opted for practical skills that could enhance their life, regardless of whether they pursue construction as a career.
Ryan stated, “I decided [to choose] what would be most helpful for my life if I didn’t do anything with my major.”
As the students’ high school experience culminates in the newly renovated facility, the sentiments expressed by Mullins encapsulate the excitement and pride the students feel.
“In nursing, in the health program as a whole, we’ve had a lot of new advancements and new technology that we’ve been able to use,” Mullins remarked.
She believes the modern facilities will offer incredible opportunities for future generations at Benson, solidifying the school’s commitment to vocational education and career readiness.
image source from：https://www.wweek.com/news/schools/2025/04/19/benson-tech-show-spotlights-career-technical-education-in-new-building/
