Career Center has a stellar year

MOUNT VERNON — Career and technical instruction is a major focus of 21st century education, and the Knox County Career Center prepares both high school and adult students for the work force. Some of the highlights and accomplishments of career center students, programs and staff in 2010 follow.

High school

•School-wide: Four extra calamity days were approved by the Ohio Department of Education for KCCC to use Moodle as an online curriculum delivery system; additional academic strategies were implemented to improve OGT scores; Children’s Garden hosted community events at Halloween and Christmas; KCCC Yearbook under the leadership of English teacher, Tommi Merrin, received honors in the Lifetouch National Best of the Best Contest; Library Club donated 400 books to Children’s Hospital as a community service project and took part in supporting two Afghan soldiers through AdoptaPlatoon.

•Automotive Technology: More technology was added to the program including a portable laptop cart and Napa Online Training.

•Building Trades: Certifications in Hilti Training by Hilti Manufacturing and OSHA-10 by Kokosing.  Increte Training in decorative concrete designs. Community Service projects at Twin Oaks Elementary and KCESC Preschool

•Business and Finance Academy donated toys, cash and books to Children’s Hospital, students Sara Hill, Rachael Stephen, Stevie Keen and Ashley Vess qualified for BPA National Leadership Conference in California.

•CBI Centerburg took first place at regional competition. CBI Centerburg won the State Knowledge Bowl senior division and CBI10 at KCCC won the State Knowledge Bowl junior division; CBI Clear Fork donated tabs to Children’s Hospital in Columbus in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

•Chef and Catering seniors traveled to Chicago for International Food Show. Haley Ward and Sarah Scott took top honors in the Culinary Affair with Pork Cook-OFF. The lab catered numerous events in the community and donated pies to Wiggin Street, soup to the Empty Bowl Project at Kenyon, and hosted dinner for veterans at KCCC and in Centerburg

•Collision Repair students receive Chief Velocity Certification for framing machine, and Terrence Hoff advanced to State SkillsUSA Competition.

•Computer Integrated Manufacturing added the donation of a new lathe to the lab and students built a rack for organizing metal and Brock Wiggins advanced to State SkillsUSA Competition

•Cosmetology: All seniors passed Ohio State Board of Cosmetology License; community projects include services to Mid-West Innovations, Bunnies for Babes, and hosted every fifth-grade class in Mount Vernon for a special day.

•Early Childhood Education launched in the fall offers special training opportunities with local pre-school educators; various community projects.

•Engineering Drafting expanded advisory board to include local architectural firm.

•Health Technologies seniors performed blood pressure readings at OSBA Conference in Columbus. Students received CPR and STNA certification, Mikayla Chew advanced to State SkillsUSA Competition; students hosted bloodmobile.

•Horticulture students placed second in Knox County for soil judging. They planted trees for Mount Vernon City and laid sod for the Country Club. Donated plants to local nursing homes in December.

•Hospitality Facility Care Services decorated and set up for events such as Hero’s Breakfast for the Red Cross. Their Silent Auction at Open House helps local families in need.

•Information Technology students qualified for state Business Professional of America competition, created websites for local companies; presented senior projects at North Central State College.

•JROTC: Ashley Vess received an ROTC scholarship valued at $80,000. After college she will be commissioned an officer in the U.S. Army. Cadet Lacey Brown attended Aerospace Technology and Honors Camp and Cadet Amber Cox also attended and was the No. 2 graduate there out of 140 cadets from across the Midwest. KCCC cadets experienced a C-130 flight at Mansfield ANG Base, and KC-135 flight at Rickenbacker Air National Guard; drill competitions across the state; marched in Christmas and Memorial Day parades, participated in Wreaths Across America Day and served as the honor guard at Veterans Day, Memorial Day, POW/MIA ceremonies and various school functions.

•Metal Fabrication completed projects for Showa Corp.

•Pre-Professional Mentorship participated in various community service activities including Black Kettle and Food for the Hungry.

•Residential Construction and Remodeling formed a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to construct homes, built two handicapped ramps for local families; began work on the gazebo to beautify Chester Park.

•Sports Medicine/Exercise Science was launched as a new program.

•Tech Prep articulation agreements were finished.

•Teacher Academy sponsored events in the Children’s Garden and attended State Ohio Future Educators Association Conference where they were named an Honors Chapter. Students placed in the top 10 in Prepared Speech and Impromptu Speech.

Adult education

•Adult Education Department received five-year accreditation renewal through North Central Association.

•Massage Therapy graduates achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the State Medical Board exam.

•New programs launched include personal trainer, manufacturing technology, and HVAC-R.

•New facility on Yauger Road to house medical training programs.

•Practical Nursing program received five-year accreditation.

•Former Miss America Kaye Rafko-Wilson spoke at the 30th year graduation of the Practical Nursing program.

•Practical Nursing program received the 2010 Partners in Public Health Award from the Knox County Health Department.

•State approval granted for full-time Welding with Certification program.

•Sheryl Mickley, financial aide officer for the adult program, received the Association for Career and Technical Education Adult Education Division Pacesetter award in July 2010. This award recognizes individuals who have contributed time and service to their division. 

pschehl@mountvernonnews.com