JCHS Skills USA Commemorates 6th Annual Hero’s Supper

Staff Photo by Elizabeth Lane

Jefferson County High School’s Skills USA organization teamed with local businesses to commemorate their 6th annual Hero’s Supper on Thursday night. Skills USA is a career tech organization in which students have the chance to explore occupations such as carpentry, criminal justice, and EMS.

After the tragedy of 9/11, students and teacher sponsor Jim Potts wanted to bring awareness to the importance of EMS within the community. The combination of their efforts has opened a conversation between EMS and students, as well as shed a positive light on their influence. Once a year the students collect donations from around the community, such as food, cash, and merchandise, and create a dinner as a thank you to local heroes both past and present. EMS from not only Jefferson County, but other counties around the region come and participate in the yearly event.

Staff Photo by Elizabeth Lane

Potts explained that the dinner was like a sort of reunion for personnel and students alike. He further explained that officers especially liked the event, given that it is a refreshing experience for them with young adults that they don’t always get in their line of work. This year’s event featured a special tribute to the lives lost over the past year. This included special remembrance for a recent fallen officer in Maryville, Verdell Smith, Sr., as well as a firefighter in Memphis, Lt. Rodney Eddins. Overall, the event would feed over 100 personnel. This event will remain with not only Potts and his students, but also the local officers for a long time to come.

Staff Photo by Elizabeth Lane