• What's Up Columbia!
  • Posts
  • High Stakes, High Poles: Columbia State Students Compete in Lineworker Rodeo

High Stakes, High Poles: Columbia State Students Compete in Lineworker Rodeo

Issue #349

10 Feb

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☁️ Columbia’s Tuesday Weather - Rain w/ high of 48 & low of 42

📰 High Stakes, High Poles: Columbia State Students Compete in Lineworker Rodeo

📰 Avoid Travel Delays: Tennessee Increases REAL ID Access with More Appointments

📌 2/14: Valentine’s Craft Event

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

❤️ Looking For Things To Do in Columbia on Valentine’s Day? Click Here

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Tuesday, February 11th

Wednesday, February 12th

Thursday, February 13th

Friday, February 14th

High Stakes, High Poles: Columbia State Students Compete in Lineworker Rodeo

Credit: Columbia State Community College

The Columbia State Community College Office of Workforce and Continuing Education recently hosted a Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Mini-Rodeo that allowed students to demonstrate the skills they learned during the seven-week program.

In the overall rodeo, Bethany Lamon from Fayetteville came in first place, Cole McCafferty from Summertown came in second place and Timothy Brown from Hohenwald came in third place.

“This program is truly outstanding thanks to our amazing instructors and our strong partnerships with local utilities and municipalities,” said Tiffany Odom, Columbia State Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education coordinator. “I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our partners who help make this program possible, from equipment donations to facility access, pole yard maintenance and volunteering for mock interviews. Without them, this program and the success of our participants would not be possible.”

Upon completion of the program, the students received a Tennessee Valley Public Power Association climbing certification, first aid and CPR certifications, OSHA 10 with ET&D certification and NSC flagger certification. In addition, the students are prepared to sit for a commercial driver’s license.

“Over seven tough weeks in the pole yard, these participants worked to develop the skills they needed to become apprentice lineworkers,” Odom said. “After that, they moved on to CDL Class A-57 training to get fully prepared for the job. Their dedication and hard work have been incredible to watch, and I can’t wait to see where their careers take them next.”

During the mini-rodeo, students competed in different activities including the 80-foot pole climb, bell change and switch transfer.

In the first activity, students climb up and down an 80-foot pole, which is a necessary part of the TVPPA Climbing Lab Certification. In this activity, Timothy Brown from Hohenwald came in first place, Bethany Lamon from Fayetteville came in second place and Cole McCafferty from Summertown came in third place.

The bell change and switch transfer are activities linemen would do in the field because of lightning, loose connections or replacement of aging materials to maintain electricity for those in the service area.

In the bell change, students climb a 40-foot pole and change out the bell that holds the line to the pole. In this activity, Bethany Lamon from Fayetteville came in first place, Cole McCafferty from Summertown came in second place and Beau Schilling from Cornersville came in third place.

In the switch transfer, students climb a 40-foot pole to change out the switch attached to the cross-arm of the pole. In this activity, Bethany Lamon from Fayetteville came in first place, Timothy Brown from Hohenwald tied for second and third place alongside Cole McCafferty from Summertown.

In addition to her performance in the rodeo, Bethany Lamon from Fayetteville was presented with the Pre-Apprentice Lineworker Academy Outstanding Student Award.

The Lawrenceburg Utility System Mark Fields Lineman Scholarship is a partnership between the Lawrenceburg Utility System and the Tennessee Valley Authority in memory of Mark Fields. They are awarded annually to high school graduates from Lawrence County Schools. Garrett Pilkinton from Leoma was the recipient of the scholarship for the Fall 2024 semester.

11 students received scholarships through grants from the United Way of Greater Nashville’s (UWGN) Transformation Fund and the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI).

UWGN’s Transformation Fund is intended to fuel transformational outcomes across the UWGN multi-county footprint by investing in several priority areas, including workforce development.  Funding for the Transformation Fund was provided to UWGN by a generous gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

Metallica Scholarship Initiative was launched in 2019 by Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to provide workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers in fields and positions. Columbia State is the first community college in Tennessee to receive an MSI grant.

The Pre-Apprentice Lineworker program is a result of communities from across Middle Tennessee coming together to fill a need in the workforce. After the rodeo, participants will complete their CDL skills training to test for their CDL Class A-57 license and be ready to join the industry as an apprentice lineworker. 

For more information about the program, please visit here. Upcoming cohorts are scheduled for the Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 semesters. All individuals interested in the program should register through the link to be placed on a contact list for future classes. Scholarships will be available, and interested participants can sign up for the contact list at www.campusce.net/columbiastate/

Avoid Travel Delays: Tennessee Increases REAL ID Access with More Appointments

With the REAL ID Act of 2005 taking effect in three months, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, TDOSHS, is expanding access by adding 1,432 additional REAL ID-specific appointment slots per day at Driver Services Centers across the state.

The REAL ID Act requires anyone 18 or older to have a REAL ID or another federally issued photo ID to board commercial flights within the United States or to enter certain federal buildings, military bases, and nuclear power plants.

“The REAL ID appointment expansion helps ensure that Tennesseans have the opportunity to obtain a REAL ID ahead of the federal deadline,” said TDOSHS Commissioner Jeff Long. “Our goal is to make the process as convenient as possible and to help travelers avoid last-minute delays. The added appointments reflect our commitment to both security and customer service.”

More than 2.7 million Tennesseans have already received REAL ID-compliant credentials, while nearly 1.2 million have not yet made a decision about getting a REAL ID.  Another 1.9 million Tennesseans have chosen not to get a REAL ID-compliant credential. TDOSHS began issuing REAL IDs on July 1, 2019.

“We encourage Tennesseans to take advantage of the increased appointment availability now, rather than waiting until the last minute,” said Commissioner Long. “By planning ahead, you can avoid longer lines and ensure you have the credentials needed for travel and federal access.”

To apply for a REAL ID, customers must bring proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, proof of their Social Security Number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency. If your name has changed, you must also bring certified legal documents supporting the name change(s). All documents must be original or certified. Photocopies are not accepted. To ensure you’re bringing the correct documents, TDOSHS encourages you to have your REAL ID required documents pre-approved online. A complete list of accepted documents and the pre-approval portal are available at tnrealid.gov.

Federal law requires REAL ID applications to be made in person. If you have a Tennessee Driver License or ID, you can apply for a REAL ID at a Driver Services Center or a participating County Clerk. If you do not have a Tennessee Driver License or ID, you must apply for a REAL ID at a Driver Services Center. Tennesseans can save time at the Driver Services Center by scheduling an appointment to get a REAL ID. Find a Driver Services Center or participating County Clerk near you and schedule an appointment at tnrealid.gov.

Obtaining a REAL ID is optional. Non-REAL ID licenses will continue to be accepted for general identification purposes such as driving, purchasing alcohol or tobacco products, applying for federal benefits, voting or accessing hospitals, post offices, banks, federal courts, etc.

After the REAL ID implementation, Tennesseans may also use a valid passport or other federally issued photo ID to fly domestically. For the complete list of acceptable ID, visit the Transportation Security Administration, TSA, website, tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.

If you are getting a Tennessee license for the first time or it is time to renew your license, the cost to get a REAL ID is $28.00. If you get a REAL ID outside of your renewal period, there is an additional duplication fee of either $8 or $12 depending on your license classification.

For more information about Tennessee REAL ID, visit tnrealid.gov.

2/14: Valentine’s Craft Event

Looking for something fun for the kids on Valentine’s Day? 

Join us on Wednesday, February 14th, at 10 AM at the Columbia Aquatics & Recreation Center for a morning of creative fun!

We’ll be making:

Valentine’s bracelets - Handmade cards - Painting

All materials are provided—just bring your creativity! With school out for the day, it’s the perfect time to stop by and get crafty with us. No registration required!

Friday, February 14th
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Columbia Aquatics & Recreation Center
1446 Oak Spring Dr., Columbia

Included with memberships or available with a day pass (rates vary based on residency).

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, February 11th

Justen Harden, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Austin Gray, The Rebel, 6 PM

Wednesday, February 12th

Mika Lynch, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, February 13th

Oliver Pigott, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Mexican Grill, 6-9 PM
Admiral Radio, Cherry Theater, 7 PM
Murphy Ridge, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, February 14th

Annie Moses Band, Packard Playhouse, 6-7 PM
Open Mic, Grinder's Switch, 6-8 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary's Irish Pub,7-9 PM
Lynn Marie & E3, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Grace West Band, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, February 15th

Tarryn Aimee, Puckett’s, 10 AM-2 PM
Annie Moses Band, Packard Playhouse, 6-7 PM
The Def Leprechaun Band, McCreary's Irish  Pub, 7-9 PM
Kristy Cox, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Box of Rox, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, February 16th

Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 4-7 PM

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk