VWSD ‘driving’ for success

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Vicksburg Warren School District has recently added new tools to help students who want to earn a Commercial Driver’s License.

Housed at Vicksburg High School, the new truck driving simulators, allow students to pursue their ambitions without having to attend outside educational facilities. Although, the simulators are housed at VHS, students from River City Early College and Warren Central High School also have access to the training which provides students with hands-on training and a realistic experience of what it feels like to drive an 18-wheeler.

According to a release from the district, the course introduces students to CDL concepts while exposing them to a wide range of career pathways connected to commercial vehicles. Students learn foundational skills related to over-the-road trucking, hotshot driving, buses, vans, and other commercial vehicle operations, along with alignment classes connected to industries such as railroads and transportation logistics.

The concept of the new curriculum for the district was started in October 2025. The school received the simulators in December and began instructing and utilizing them February. Upon completion of the class, students will receive their CDL permit which allows them to only need to complete a four week class to obtain their license.

Dr. Robert Lampkin, principal at VHS said the following in regards to the new program:

“Not just our traditional male students who want to do the program, we are also seeing a lot of our female students who want to participate in the program. It’s great to have our ladies coming in and want to be apart of this whole driving experience.”

Dr. Lampkin said he was proud to be apart of the collaboration across the district for allowing students from three high schools receive the same opportunities.

“Yes, we are making safer drivers. We want them to have the comfort and the familiarity with actual driving. Students can take the simulators and apply it to real life. This avoids some of the anxiety a new driver would have. They can learn things safely right here in Vicksburg Warren School District.”

The goal of the program is to make students from VWSD employable and competitive in the current job market according to Dr. Lampkin.

“We want our students to graduate and get those jobs a lot faster,” said Lampkin. “This is a competitive world. We want our kids to have first dibs and be more prepared than anybody else.”

Dr. Lampkin said the goal is ultimately to produce good citizens, but also to produce citizens who can make a living and earn a meaningful wage while living in Warren County.

“We want to give our students the tools they need to be a success,” said Lampkin.

According to Zip Recruiter CDL drivers can earn a salary ranging from $45K to $115K per year.