A junior high school program in Clinton is introducing kids STEM concepts and it is a bridge to a program offered at the high school.

It's 'Skills USA' and Michelle Knap leads it at Clinton Junior High School while her husband leads a similar program at Clinton High School. At last Tuesday's Clinton Board of Education meeting, Junior High School Principal Jim Peck told the Board of Education the students in the program recently entered a competition where they had a good deal of success. 

Students in the program informed the Board of Education of some of the things they did as a part of the competition piece of the program.

Knap explains her husband has secured a grant through Constellation Energy and they will be able to outfit their students with jackets for the program, similar to that of an FFA jacket. She had high hopes for her students in the competition despite it being the first year in the program. 

Earlier this month there was a letter of intent signing event at the high school where students who were certified received job offers right out of high school. It was through the 'Skill USA' program led by Fred Knap at Clinton High School.