Chattooga High School and Summerville Middle School agricultural education students recently joined forces to mentor students at Leroy Massey Elementary School through a hands-on agricultural education initiative.

The project was initiated by Erin Smith, a teacher at LMES, as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen connections across the agricultural education pathway from elementary school through high school.

During the visit, Chattooga High horticulture students and Summerville Middle students worked directly with LMES students, offering guidance, encouragement, and hands-on learning experiences focused on horticulture and agricultural education.

School leaders say the collaboration gave older students an opportunity to build leadership skills while also introducing younger students to future opportunities in agricultural education. The high school students participated under the direction of Dr. Yarbrough, CHS advisor.

Because Leroy Massey Elementary serves as a feeder school for Summerville Middle School, LMES students also had the chance to meet Ms. Carmon, the agricultural educator at SMS, helping them begin building relationships and become more familiar with the next step in their academic journey.

Organizers say the mentor project encourages collaboration across grade levels and helps support a smoother transition into middle and high school agricultural programs. It also highlights a strong commitment to leadership development, career readiness, and technical skill-building through agricultural education.

A special thank you was also given to Taco Bell and crew, along with Blake Chira Sr., for continuing to help feed volunteers involved in the project.