At Hutchinson High School, the TigerPath Academies are reimagining education by connecting students directly to the world of work. Through small learning communities focused on career paths, students explore real opportunities while developing skills that matter. TigerPath helps students discover what they enjoy, what they excel at, and the kind of future they aspire to, before making significant decisions about college or careers. And if students change their minds? That’s encouraged. TigerPath makes it easy to switch paths and try something new, offering everything from industry-recognized credentials to college credit opportunities. It’s education built for the real world.

A Summer to Remember, Thanks to LYFT

This summer, TigerPath hosted an unforgettable Exploratory Camp for middle school students made possible through LYFT Career Pathways funding. LYFT supports rural schools in southwest and west central Minnesota in building strong career and technical education programs that reflect local workforce needs.

The TigerPath camp gave students hands-on access to careers in health care, veterinary science, construction, and the skilled trades. They tested blood types, used microscopes, and explored advanced medical technology at the Hutch Health Lab. At Lifelong Veterinary Clinic, many students even observed live surgery, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for middle schoolers.

Real Tools, Real Experience

In the construction pathway, students worked with teacher Gary Koehring to build a wall from the ground up. Their work was later inspected by City of Hutch inspector Kyle Dimler. At Simonson Lumber, students got to see equipment demonstrations up close, including a piggyback forklift and boom truck.

These weren’t just fun activities. They were confidence builders. Students rated the experience overwhelmingly positive, with more than 85% saying they were more interested in at least one career field after camp. One student shared that the camp helped them “see how school connects to real jobs.” Parents noticed too, with one commenting, “He couldn’t stop talking about what he saw and did every day. It was a perfect experience.”

Funding That Makes a Difference

Thanks to LYFT Career Pathways funding, TigerPath was able to provide enriching activities, field trips, professional instruction, and even healthy meals. More importantly, the program gave students a sense of inclusion and purpose. As TigerPath Coordinator Andrea Moore shared, “The students were so impressed that you wanted to support them, they feel included and important. The effects of your actions will be felt for many years to come.”

This is what LYFT is all about: empowering rural youth with opportunities that launch their futures today.