CHAMAPIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — More than 60 businesses, military branches and community college programs packed the gym at Champaign Central High School on Wednesday for a career fair.

School officials said about 900 kids were able to make it out to the career and technical education showcase to learn about their choices after high school. The Champaign School District partnered with the Champaign Chamber of Commerce to put on the event and to try to keep talented students in the area.

“We know that there are homegrown students here that are amazing,” said College and Career Readiness Assistant Director Lashonna Harden. “We hear about the work that our students do within our district, in our classrooms. And so, for them to be able to stay here and to give back to the community, and then also for our businesses to be able to say that they have students that work in their area, that is homegrown.”

The career fair will be at Centennial High School on Thursday.