Carbon Career and Technical Institute will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and this Monday will feature an open house that explores the rich history of the school, current developments, and the future of vocational training.

“We just wanted to have fun with it, it’s 50 years of education, and we’re celebrating that,” Peggy Kalogerakis, Coordinator of School Improvement, said.The festivities will kick off with a benefit golf game this Saturday at White Birch Golf Course in Barnesville. Prizes will be awarded to the top three overall groups, and for the longest drive for both men and women.The star event of the anniversary will be CCTI’s open house event, which will feature plenty of entertaining, engaging displays that highlight the school’s past, present, and future.“We’re having the open house. Everyone is invited. We hope that the community, the parents, anyone that’s involved with the five school districts, the superintendents, the teachers, everyone. We’re inviting them all to come be part of the anniversary,” Kalogerakis said.CCTI began as the Carbon County Area Vocational Technical School, the very first vocational education school in the state to be built from the ground up. On Oct. 17, 1966, the school was formally launched with a presentation from local dignitaries such as Stuart E. Prutzman, retired Carbon County Superintendent of Schools, for whom the original building was named.In 1992, the institute transitioned from half-day programs to a full-time comprehensive program that unified academic and technical coursework, allowing students to complete their education in one location. In 1995, the, CCAVTS honored its first graduating class. By 2006, the school changed its name to Carbon Career and Technical Institute. In 2011, CCTI completed a $20 million expansion and renovation, with 33,000 square feet added to the facility, and each classroom and technical area was remodeled and supplied with the latest equipment.Magic 105.5 WMGH will be at the school for a live broadcast from 6 to 8 p.m. A car show, organized by Dave Kost, will also take place, with students, alumni, and local enthusiasts showing off their prized automobiles. Kost is a former employee of CCTI, as well as a graduate of CCAVTS.Hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, and more will be available, all at ’60s prices. Each technical department will have educational setups featuring equipment and photos covering their respective history at the institution. The cafeteria will also have memorabilia from the school’s rich history.Electrical Distribution and Automation instruction aide Rob Pathroff, who is also an alumni, will be playing live music with his band, Distant Thunder, in the courtyard.“I like to say ‘classic rock and beyond,’” Pathroff said of the band’s sound. “We’re going to actually start off with a couple of 60s tunes, a Stones cover ... Then, of course, some Zeppelin, stuff like that. It’s going to vary. You’ll probably hear some Elton John. It’s going to be pretty impressive.”Make sure to keep the date open in order to check out the festivities, grab a 20-cent cheeseburger, enjoy some live tunes, and learn a little about the past, present, and future of technical career training.“All of this is going to be so interesting, especially to the alumni who come back to see what they’re doing now, compared to what they did,” Kalogerakis said.