VWSD partners with We Work the Waterways for bridge event

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg Warren School District and We Work the Waterways have partnered for an event on the Old Mississippi Bridge Friday, Feb. 20.

We Work the Waterways (WWW), a national maritime education outreach program, in partnership with the Vicksburg Warren School District, will host the inaugural We Work the Waterways: Bridge to the Future Walk on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Old Vicksburg Bridge in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The program will welcome elementary students from five Vicksburg Warren School District schools for a guided educational experience highlighting the Mississippi River and early exposure to maritime careers.

This unique program brings students to the recently reopened Old Vicksburg Bridge, now accessible as a pedestrian walkway, for a firsthand look at the river that plays a vital role in their community and the nation’s economy. Students will participate in scheduled group walks across the historic bridge alongside their classmates and educators, allowing them to observe the river from a new perspective.

“The Vicksburg Warren School District is excited to partner with We Work the Waterways to help our students recognize the vital role the Mississippi River plays in our local economy,” said Dr. Terence James, Director of Career and Technical Education for the Vicksburg Warren School District. “The Bridge to the Future Walk provides meaningful exposure to maritime career opportunities and supports our ongoing commitment to ensuring students are aware of high-demand career pathways available right here in Vicksburg.”

As part of the program, a We Work the Waterways team member will lead an age-appropriate presentation introducing students to the maritime industry, explaining how goods move along the river, and highlighting the many careers connected to waterways transportation, logistics, and vessel operations.

“Our goal is to help students see that the river in their backyard connects them to something much bigger,” said Errin Howard, Executive Director of We Work the Waterways. “Through our partnership with the Warren County School District, we’re able to introduce students to maritimeat a young age and help them understand how this industry supports their community while opening the door to future opportunities.”

The Bridge to the Future Walk reflects We Work the Waterways’ ongoing mission to connect students with maritime career pathways through meaningful, place-based learning experiences. The reopening of the Old Vicksburg Bridge as a pedestrian walkway provides a unique opportunity for students to engage directly with this historic structure while building awareness of the working river below.

Through programs like this, We Work the Waterways continues to inspire the next generation by helping students understand how the maritime industry impacts their daily lives and offers diverse, rewarding career opportunities close to home.

For additional information, contact Errin Howard at 513-403-9312 or visit www.weworkthewaterways.org.