FORMER WEST IRON County High School students Anders and Davin Lindwall, now age 38 and 32 respectively, have produced “Green and Gold,” an independent film that opened in select theaters throughout the country in January. They are shown at a screening of the film Jan. 3 in the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay, Wis. — from left are Davin Lindwall; Lee Rometti, their former West Iron teacher who encouraged them to make videos; and Anders Lindwall. (Photo courtesy of Anders Lindwall)

LANSING — An Iron County native says he may not have become a filmmaker if it were not for Career and Technical Education.

“We were on a path,” Anders Lindwall recalled about he and brother Davin’s experience at West Iron County High School in Iron River. “It really helped to set us on the trajectory where we’ve ended up.”

About 20 years later, Anders and Davin Lindwall, now 38 and 32 respectively, have produced “Green and Gold,” an independent film that opened in select theaters throughout the country in January. “Green and Gold” is now available on Amazon, Google Play, Apple, and Fandango at Home.

It follows a family farmer who makes a high-stakes wager on his beloved NFL Green Bay Packers during the team’s Super Bowl run. The gamble could either rescue the farm, which is in foreclosure, or lead to its final collapse. Veteran movie and television actor Craig T. Nelson stars in the film.

Anders has referred to the opportunity to make the film as a “miracle.”

The Lindwall brothers began experimenting with a video camera during a class with teacher Lee Rometti. The class ultimately developed into a digital media production offering, a CTE program. Anders Lindwall pointed out that Rometti encouraged he and his brother to reach for the stars.

“We learned how to use a video camera,” Lindwall said. “He would have us design and create videos for Business Professionals of America. He would even open up the school for us on weekends and during the summer.”

Business Professionals of America is a CTE organization for students pursuing careers in business management, information technology, finance, office administration and other related career fields, according to its website, https://bpa.org/.

Across Michigan, CTE programs prepare students for careers in areas ranging from agriculture to skilled trades, to public safety, to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Rometti, who retired from teaching in 2023 after 31 years as an educator, enjoyed having the Lindwall brothers as students. He believes that CTE programs are “essential.”

“Some students are ready to work when they are finished (with their program),” Rometti said. “Some of them are excited to take the next step.”

Anders encourages state officials to develop more CTE opportunities for Michigan students.

“People who I’ve known who are the most successful in what they do have done one thing for a very long time,” Anders said. “That’s been one of our biggest advantages in filmmaking.”

In recent months, the Michigan Department of Education and the State Board of Education have advocated for CTE program growth and expansion.

“Career and Technical Education programs offer students from our state an opportunity to realize and live their dreams,” said state Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice.

Enrollment in CTE programs has not only recovered from a decline during the pandemic but now exceeds pre-COVID enrollment. In the 2023-24 school year, 112,156 students enrolled in CTE programs, the third year of increases totaling more than 9,000 students, or 9%, since the 2020-21 school year enrollment of 102,988 at the low point of the pandemic and more than the 2019-20 school year enrollment of 111,073.

CTE completers — students who finish an entire series of courses in a given career area rather than a single course or two — have also gone up in the past three years, with a total increase of more than 8,000 students, or 19% from 44,226 in 2020-21 to 52,625 in 2023-24, and greater than not only the 2019-20 pre-pandemic number of 50,416 but also any single year pre-pandemic.

For more information about Michigan CTE programs, go to the Office of Career and Technical Education website.