Earlier this year, Drake State launched its first athletics initiative: the Drake State Esports team. We recently paid the team a visit to see how the program is coming along and what members have been up to since opening last month.

The team is led by Coach Demeiko Merriweather, who had this to say about the program:

“The first thing to know about Esports is that it’s more than just playing video games. It is a community built on teamwork, communication, strategy, leadership, and healthy competition. Just like traditional athletics, esports give students opportunities to develop valuable skills, build lasting friendships, and represent their school with pride.

At Drake State, we’re excited to build an esports program that welcomes everyone. Whether you’re a competitive player, someone who enjoys gaming casually, or simply looking for a place to connect with others through shared interests, we want to create a community where students can grow, belong, and succeed both in and out of the game.”
— Demeiko Merriweather, Esports Coach

The club is held in Drake State’s state-of-the-art game room, which is outfitted with a plethora of PlayStation consoles and gaming PCs for members to use. Games in rotation include fighting games like Street Fighter 6, hero shooters like Marvel Rivals, and classic first-person shooters like Call of Duty, giving members plenty of variety no matter what their preferred genre. The space is designed not just for competitive practice, but as a casual hangout spot where students can drop in, meet new people, and unwind between classes.

The club currently consists of around a dozen members but is growing quickly and is actively recruiting more players to continue building the team. Coach Merriweather and the club’s early members hope that as word spreads across campus, more students, whether seasoned competitors or first-time gamers, will stop by to see what the program has to offer.

“I think the best thing about the Drake Esports program is how open it is to everybody,” said Jackson Krebs, a freshman Nursing major. “There’s a game for everybody. There’s a person for everybody in there to connect with, and that’s probably my favorite thing about it.”

With a welcoming community, top-notch equipment, and a coach dedicated to helping students grow both as players and as people, Drake State’s Esports program is off to a strong start. As the club continues to recruit new members and build its competitive presence, it is shaping up to be one of the campus’s most exciting new additions. It is proof that Drake State is leveling up in more ways than one.

Last Thursday, July 30th, graduates of the LPN Launch Program gathered for one of healthcare education’s most cherished traditions: the Pinning Ceremony. Held at the Cochran Campus, the collaborative facility born out of Drake State’s partnership with Huntsville Hospital, the event brought together students, faculty, and hospital leadership to honor this important milestone.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims and Huntsville Hospital Executive Vice President Tracy Doughty, both reflecting on the strength of the partnership that made the LPN Launch Program possible and the impact these new nurses are poised to have in the community.

The program then turned to long-time faculty member Dr. Mattie Davis, who announced her retirement after many years of dedicated service to the Health Sciences department. In honor of her contributions, she was presented with a token of appreciation from her colleagues. Dr. Davis’s guidance has shaped countless nursing students throughout her career, and she will be deeply missed.

Three graduates: Amanda Sampson, Tameka Similiton, and Tandra Blackmon, then took the floor to share reflections on their journey through the LPN Launch Program, offering a glimpse into the challenges and growth that defined their path to this moment.

Before the pinning could begin, the program paused for its most anticipated recognition: the Nightingale Award, presented for exemplary skill and leadership throughout the program.

Then came the moment the graduates had worked toward, each student was presented with a white coat and nursing pin, symbols of the long nights, hard work, and personal sacrifice that carried them to this point. More than a celebration, the Pinning Ceremony was a moment of reflection, marking the graduates’ transition from students to healthcare professionals ready to serve.

Drake State recently gathered in the Leidos Complex to celebrate a milestone year for its SkillsUSA program, honoring the students and instructors whose hard work led to the college’s most successful SkillsUSA showing to date.

This year, Drake State students earned three national Gold Medals and one national Silver Medal, competing against peers from across the country in some of the most demanding technical and career disciplines SkillsUSA has to offer. The achievement marks a new institutional record for Drake State, surpassing any previous year’s results and cementing the college’s growing reputation as a leader in career and technical education.

The celebration recognized not only the students who competed, but also the instructors whose mentorship made their success possible. Faculty members worked closely with students throughout the year, providing the guidance, training, and encouragement needed to prepare them for competition at the national level. Their leadership played a central role in the record-breaking results, and the event gave the college an opportunity to formally thank them for their commitment.

The Leidos Complex was filled with awards, music, great food, and plenty of Blue Eagle pride as students, faculty, staff, and supporters came together to mark the occasion. It was a fitting tribute to a year defined by determination and excellence, and a reminder of what students can accomplish when talent meets strong mentorship.

SkillsUSA competitions challenge students to demonstrate technical skills, professionalism, and problem-solving ability in fields ranging from skilled trades to health sciences to information technology. Success at the national level requires months of preparation, and this year’s results reflect the strength of Drake State’s programs and the dedication of everyone involved.

Drake State’s leadership pointed to the celebration as a highlight of the year, one that underscores the college’s mission of preparing students to excel in their fields and enter the workforce ready to succeed. The record-setting performance is expected to build momentum heading into next year’s competitions, as students and instructors alike look to build on this year’s success.

Congratulations to all the students and instructors who contributed to this achievement. Their hard work continues to elevate Drake State’s reputation and inspire the next generation of skilled professionals in Huntsville and beyond.

Drake State’s first FAME cohort recently delivered their third Manufacturing Core Exercise (MCE) presentations, this time focused on Lean Manufacturing. The students showcased how they identified challenges, reduced waste, and improved processes both within their workplaces and in the classroom.

Each student presented two projects: one based on real work at their sponsoring companies, and one developed in the classroom. Together, the presentations demonstrated not only the students’ technical knowledge of lean manufacturing principles, but also their ability to apply those principles in real-world settings.

Industry partners from Mazda Toyota Manufacturing and Bruderer joined the event to support the students, ask questions, and see firsthand the impact the students are making at their respective companies.

Daniel Smith, Central Maintenance Manager at Mazda-Toyota, had this to say:

“The presentations today went really well. They took to heart the meaning of lean manufacturing and how to look for muda (無駄) or waste and how to improve that in their own companies, and here at school. So, I think they really got the idea and went over and above on it.”

Dr. Myron Parks, FAME Program Manager, added:

“Today’s Manufacturing Core Exercise (MCE) presentations were a success from the perspective of student growth and progression within the FAME program, while also allowing us to host potential industry partners for them to consider joining the Huntsville Tech FAME Chapter at Drake State.”

The event also served a dual purpose beyond showcasing student progress. By inviting potential industry partners to attend, Drake State is building relationships that could grow the Huntsville Tech FAME Chapter and open the door to future sponsorship and mentorship opportunities for students in the program.

This marks the third MCE presentation for the cohort, and the growth has been evident with each round. Students have steadily built on their understanding of manufacturing principles, sharpened their presentation skills, and gained confidence in applying classroom learning to real workplace challenges. What began as an introduction to core manufacturing concepts has evolved into students independently identifying inefficiencies, proposing solutions, and communicating their findings to industry professionals.

The FAME program, which pairs classroom instruction with hands-on work experience at partner companies, is designed to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing while giving employers a direct hand in shaping the next generation of skilled talent. Milestones like this one highlight how that partnership between education and industry is paying off for students and companies alike.

It has been amazing to watch the cohort’s growth since last year, and Drake State is excited to see how these students continue to innovate as they move forward in the program and into their careers.

This June, the college welcomed hundreds of middle and high school students through a series of hands-on programs designed to introduce young people to high-demand career pathways long before they have to choose one. From machine shops to programming labs to cosmetology stations, this summer’s lineup gave students a real look at what their futures could hold.

Jill of All Trades Career Exploration Day

Drake State proudly continued its partnership with the AUM Foundation to host the annual Jill of All Trades Career Exploration Day, welcoming 14 exceptional 11th-grade students to campus for a day of hands-on career discovery.

Designed by Drake State’s CTE faculty and Division Chairs, the program gave students early exposure to high-demand fields including Computer Science, Business, Automotive Technology, HVAC, Mechatronics, Machining, and Welding. With guidance from student ambassadors serving as peer mentors, participants explored both the technical skills and the career opportunities behind each pathway, building the kind of awareness, confidence, and access that helps shape the next generation of workforce talent.

The Learning Center Campers Visit Campus

Drake State also welcomed middle and high school students from The Learning Center for a day exploring the college’s machine tool, automotive, and welding workshops. Guided by Drake State’s Blue Eagle Ambassadors, students got a firsthand look at the college’s technical programs and learned about Dual Enrollment opportunities that let them start earning credit toward their future while still in high school.

Girls Inc. Eureka! STEM Program Takes on Coding

Drake State hosted students from Girls Inc.’s Eureka! STEM Program for a hands-on introduction to programming. Working through a series of coding tasks in the Playgrounds app under the guidance of a Drake State instructor, students brought curiosity and energy to every challenge, asking sharp questions and diving headfirst into their first real taste of writing code.

Boys & Girls Club Summer Haircare Workshop

Rounding out the month, Drake State welcomed students from the Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama Summer Program for a Basic Hair Care Workshop. Participants learned the fundamentals of the cosmetology field firsthand, setting up a professional workstation and practicing proper washing, conditioning, and rinsing techniques. For many, it was their first real introduction to the skill and precision behind professional haircare.

Investing in What Comes Next

Across four very different programs and four very different age groups, one theme carried through all of June: giving young people a real, hands-on look at what their future could be. Whether it was a welding torch, a line of code, or a blow dryer, Drake State’s campus became a place where students didn’t just hear about career pathways but explore them.

Huntsville is a city on the move. As Alabama’s largest city and one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Southeast, Huntsville’s skyline, neighborhoods, and infrastructure are expanding at a remarkable pace. Behind every new development, every road, every building, every neighborhood, is a network of underground utilities that makes modern life possible. And behind those utilities are the skilled workers who install, maintain, and protect them. At Drake State, we believe it is our responsibility to help build that workforce. Today, we are proud to celebrate a major step toward that goal.

Introducing the Underground Utilities Course

Drake State, in partnership with Huntsville Utilities, is proud to announce the successful completion of our inaugural Underground Utilities Course. A three-week, intensive, hands-on workforce development program designed to connect local high school graduates with the certifications and real-world skills needed to enter the utilities trades.

The program, developed jointly by Drake State’s Workforce Development team and Huntsville Utilities, offers participants industry-recognized certification in underground water and gas operations. For young people in our community, that credential is more than a piece of paper — it is a direct pathway to a living-wage career with long-term stability and growth potential.

To mark the occasion, Drake State hosted “Dig the Line,” a live heavy equipment demonstration held in our Outdoor Classroom and back lot. Graduating students took to the field operating heavy equipment and demonstrating the technical skills they have built over three weeks of rigorous instruction. It was workforce development in its most tangible form: young people, hard hats on, doing the work.

A Partnership Built for This Moment

This program did not happen by accident. It was born out of a shared recognition between Drake State and Huntsville Utilities that our region faces a growing shortage of skilled utilities workers, and that the time to act is now.

Huntsville Utilities Vice President of Employee Engagement Dr. Harry Hobbs, speaking on behalf of CEO and President Wes Kelly, captured the spirit of the partnership well: “This is a great collaboration with Drake State, where we can set up an underground water and gas operations course to help folks that are interested in this type of work so they can get a level of certification. Hopefully in the future, if there’s some open jobs at Huntsville Utilities or other local utilities, they can be more competitive.”

That is exactly what industry education partnership looks like at its best: a utility company investing in the next generation of its own workforce, and a college delivering the training that makes it possible.

For Drake State, this partnership reflects a broader institutional commitment. As Dean of Workforce Development/CTE Doug Brazier put it: “Huntsville is experiencing a period of tremendous growth, and Drake State is growing right alongside it. Programs like the Underground Utilities Course are a direct reflection of our commitment to meeting the evolving demands of this region. By partnering with industry leaders like Huntsville Utilities, we are ensuring that our students don’t just earn credentials, they earn a real pathway into the careers that are building the future of our city.”

The Students at the Center

Workforce development statistics and partnership announcements matter. But what matters most are the people whose lives these programs are designed to change.

Treveon Nelson, a recent Columbia High School graduate and program participant, put it simply: “It is giving me an opportunity to find myself a stable job. Something that will last me quite a while, as someone who is creative with their hands, more so than anything else.”

Treveon spent the program spotting excavators and working traffic control, real tasks, performed under real conditions, guided by industry professionals. He and his fellow graduates leave this program not just with a certification, but with hands-on field experience and the confidence that comes with having done the work. Their stories are the reason Drake State exists.

What This Means for Our Region

For partners in industry, government, and economic development, the implications of programs like this go well beyond one cohort of graduates. Huntsville’s infrastructure needs will only grow, and the utilities sector is foundational to everything else our region is building. Ensuring a sustained pipeline of trained, certified workers is not just a workforce issue. It is an economic development issue, a public safety issue, and a community resilience issue. Drake State is uniquely positioned to meet that need.

The Underground Utilities Course is one program. But it is also a proof of concept, a demonstration that when Drake State and industry partners work together, we can move quickly, train effectively, and deliver real outcomes for real people.

A Note on Safe Digging

As Huntsville’s growth continues and summer project season gets underway, Drake State and Huntsville Utilities are also reminding all residents and contractors: call 811 before you dig. Whether you are installing a fence, planting a tree, or beginning a construction project, contacting Alabama 811 at least two full business days in advance ensures underground utility lines are marked for free — preventing service disruptions, costly damage, and serious injuries. Visit al811.com for more information.