Muscle Shoals High graduate earns scholarship combining work and academics

• By Lisa Singleton-Rickman Staff Writer

• Jun 21, 2016

MUSCLE SHOALS -- Collin Craft isn't your average 18-year-old headed to college in the fall.

In August, the recent Muscle Shoals High School graduate will be a member of the Nucor Technical Academy for a three-year training program through Shelton State Community College. He'll earn an applied science degree in electrical technology.

Craft is the first student from the area to be selected for the competitive program. Each class in the academy is made up of 15-20 students from around the country.

His scholarship package totals $136,000, including housing, tuition and fees, and wages paid for both work at Nucor Steel corporation and his classroom hours.

"I'll be training with work half a day and school half a day," he said. "It's a great opportunity to get my training as an electrical technician, and Nucor pretty much guarantees me a job once I graduate in three years."

For Craft, going to work for the Fortune 500 company at his age is "a gift that I don't take for granted."

Nucor has a mill in Decatur, as well as in Tuscaloosa. Craft said he expects to be training in electrical maintenance at both locations.

Candidates for the program were required to go through a series of tests and interviews with Nucor officials. 

Having graduated with honors in May, Craft said the opportunity was in line with his career goals.

Muscle Shoals Career Academy Guidance Counselor Elesia Crosswhite said Craft's interview process was rigorous. She said his drive and commitment to success was a factor in his selection.

He has worked the past two years in manufacturing.

"This speaks volumes of Collin's character to be selected as a high school student," she said, pointing out the Nucor Technical Academy scholarship applications are open to high school and college students. "We're every excited for Collin to have this opportunity."

lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com or 256-740-5735. Twitter@TD _LSRickman

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