Rae Womack, a middle schooler at Caledonia, participates in Mississippi State University’s building construction science (BCS) ‘Hammer and Nail’ competition. “We’re having a hammer and nail contest. We’re allowing kids to have actual hands on experience using these tools considering most have never used it before,” said Caleb Buckner with MSU’s BCS program. The competition was part of a career path expo put on by the FORGE Foundation at the East Mississippi Community College Communiversity. The expo aimed to expose area eighth grade students to construction trades. Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch

Caledonia Middle School student Nick Holley gets his blood pressure taken by Columbus High School’s Jakylia Collins. Collins taught about the equipment and the outlook on nursing programs in the area. Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch

Gary Beeland, left, instructs Caiden Muskalla of Caledonia about welding using a welding simulator. Beeland is a director with the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation (MCEF) and teaches youth about the outlook of construction jobs for their future. Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch

Deon Johnson, left, instructs and teaches Thomas Barlow from Caledonia's middle school about core drilling and the significance of core drilling concrete in the construction industry. Deon Johnson works with Husqvarna and has extensive knowledge with core drilling and cutting concrete to give to the youth. Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch

Caledonia middle schooler Kinsleigh Gullette hammers nails into a board at Wednesday's FORGE event at EMCC's Communiversity. This event helped the local youth explore more future career options. Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch

Caledonia middle schooler Luke Wilburn drives a golf cart with goggles that simulate being drunk to discourage drinking and driving during Wednesday's FORGE event at EMCC's Communiversity. Austin Frayser/Special to The Dispatch