Home at Last! New MTI Campus Opens to Students

Issue 88 Spring 2013
Home at Last! New MTI Campus Opens to Students
M
anatee Technical Institute just opened its brand new
main campus on State Road 70, entering an exciting
new season of equipping our local workforce with the finest in
career and technical education in the nation. After years of preparation, this new $44 million investment and its 210,000 square
foot facility replaces much of the original West Bradenton
campus built in 1963. With open spaces, accessible classrooms,
efficient space planning, and beautiful interior design, the campus
is a trophy in the heart of Manatee County.
The facility is packed with advanced equipment and ultramodern facilities, and students can now learn in an environment
that matches their 21st century skills. Advanced career education
programs include—among others—digital animation, television
production, information technology, web design, business
administration, hospitality, culinary arts, drafting, manufacturing
F1 Students Race in Abu Dhabi!
T
hree Manatee County engineering students competed in
the F1 in Schools World Finals racing competition in
Abu Dhabi, UAE! The
st udent s p ar tne re d
with three Canadian
students to form team
Velox F1 in this international adventure.
See the complete
article on Page 13.
technology, welding, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, cosmetology,
automotive technology, marine technology, and much more. MTI
also serves up skills in adult education, while serving the community through personal enrichment classes.
Visitors are welcome to experience a tour and sample the
culinary students’ expertise at Café Mirabilis and at Whetstone,
the facility’s new fine dining establishment.
John Ziemnicki, Chairman of the MTI Board of Governors
and the board’s drafting advisory committee representative for 30
Continued on Page 2
ACT Grants and Funding Continues To Grow
T
he following is a summary of grant and funding
(Continued
on page
monies applied for and received over
the past
11 2)
years from the Adult, Career and Technical Education
Department, including areas such as MTI, Take Stock,
Transitions, Tech Prep, SLCs, Secondary CTE, Manatee
Stars, and others. Grant monies are essential to enhancing
quality education and moving the District forward in its quest
to provide excellent education and opportunities to all of our
students.
Grants and dollar value
Number of grants applied for:
Number of grants approved:
Number of grants pending approval:
Dollars applied for:
Dollars approved:
Dollars pending approval:
Totals
395
303
0
$117,527,889
$66,719,562
$0
Manatee Technical Institute, continued
years, has been keenly involved with this project from the beginning. “These are exciting times,” he said recently. “It’s been 15
years since we first started thinking about this, working through
the funding and acquiring the property. Along with a new, stateof-the-art building, these students now have access to the most
current technology. We’re looking forward to the best of times in
this new building.”
The new MTI campus is located adjacent to the campus of
Braden River High School, and opened to students for the first
time on January 8, 2013. The Grand Opening and dedication was
held February
14th with over
600 people in
attendance.
The new,
state-of-the art
Manatee
Technical
Institute
Angie Grasberger’s Legacy
A
fter 50 years in education, 25 years of it serving Manatee County, Angie Grasberger is slowly headed for
retirement. The word is “slowly” because now that her time with
us is done, she’ll still be serving another two-year term as president of the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC). For the
past 16 years, she has been thoroughly involved with the NCAC,
attending the very first conference and serving in several leadership and board positions with multiple terms as president.
Angie taught geometry and trigonometry at Manatee High
School for eight years before changing directions into career
education. She joined the ACT Department and served as the
MHS Career Connections Coordinator for eight years, and then
transitioned to a district level Career Advisor for five high schools
(six once Braden River High School opened), and then on to the
SLC project manager until December, 2012. Angie spearheaded
the planning and implementation of several substantial Smaller
Learning Community (SLC) grants, working tirelessly until
celebrating that all six high schools are now structured with wallto-wall career academies.
Angie Grasberger (5th from right) with her team of Smaller Learning Communities
Career Advisors at her retirement celebration.
Page 2
“I never really wanted to leave the classroom,” Angie
shared. “Teaching was my first love. But I was looking for a
change, and I loved career counseling. I got to make a difference
for a lot more students.”
Angie has been on the forefront of the national movement
and the advance of career academies as a way to engage students.
She’s passionate about helping students connect academics with
applied learning—and where else to apply the learning and
connect the dots than through real-world careers?
The ACT Department’s Academy committee created the
guidelines and standards that were used to evaluate Manatee
County’s career academies in the early days. “Because of Angie’s
national reputation and leadership, our Manatee County standards
were adopted and used as the foundation for the NCAC’s
National Standards of Practice,” said Doug Wagner. “This effort
that Angie led has positively affected schools in over 15,000
school districts in the United States.”
As she heads into retirement, in addition to traveling and
working for the NCAC, Angie also plans to visit family scattered
across the country. When asked what advice she’d like to give to
new educators, she instantly replied, “It’s a passion. If you don’t
have education as a passion, then don’t stay because you are only
hurting the kids. Be here for the love of imparting some of your
knowledge to students.”
Grant Efforts Hit a Wall—a Climbing Wall!
T
he ACT Department’s Grant Resource Specialist
Melissa Schwab works hard to help teachers throughout the District apply for funding for special projects and classrooms. Melissa recently worked with Nolan Middle School P.E.
Coach Brad Claussen, and through their efforts, the Pirate’s
Charities Fields for Kids Program has awarded Nolan a $5,000
grant towards a traversing wall. In an effort to gain an additional
funding source, Mr. Claussen applied to Fuel Up to Play 60 and
the Dairy Council of Florida, and Nolan Middle School was
awarded $5,000 during the Back to Football contest. These grants
provided the remaining funding needed for the traversing wall.
Nolan gym’s new climbing wall provides fun-filled activities to
promote overall wellness for the students.
T o f in d o u t m o r e ab o u t g r an t r e so u r c e s , v i s i t
www.ManateeACT.com, click News, and click Grant Opportunities Update. Here you’ll find a grant calendar, application form,
and resource newsletter. For more information, contact Melissa
Schwab at 941-708-8770 ext. 2226.
Students reach for the top on Nolan’s ACT grant-funded climbing wall.
Adult, Career and Technical Education
Changes to Gold Seal Scholars Award
T
here are important changes in store
for recipients of the Gold Seal
Vocational Scholars (GSV) award, part of
Florida’s Bright Futures scholarship
program. The Gold Seal scholarship is
awarded to students meeting certain academic requirements in
addition to completing a minimum of three Career and Technical
Education (CTE) credits in one vocational program. Beginning
with this award year, GSV students may be funded for up to
100% of their program of study in Career Education programs.
According to the new requirements, awards may apply to technical degree education including Associate of Science degrees (AS),
Associate of Applied Science degrees (AAS), and College Credit
Certificates (CCC). Career certificates or diplomas (also referred
to as Postsecondary Adult Vocational/PSAV) include Career
Certificates and Applied Technology Diplomas (ATD). While the
new changes mean that the GSV cannot be applied toward an AA
degree, the award continues to promote and fund postsecondary
career and technical education for programs at Manatee Technical
Institute and State College of Florida.
Career Academy Accomplishments
E
ight of our career academies were recognized at a
school board meeting for their accomplishments in
attaining Endorsed, Certified or National Model status when
reviewed by the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC).
LRHS: All three academies attained the Certified status,
including the Business & Technology Academy, the Health &
Public Service Academy, and the Arts Academy.
SEHS: The Center for Leadership Academy (CLA), the
latest of the SEHS academies, was reviewed for the first time and
attained the Endorsed status. Team members have taken the
results and recommendations that were made and are working on
adding additional pathways which will result in the opportunity
for additional industry certifications for the students.
BRHS: Each of the four academies has attained the highest
Lead teachers
and Smaller
Learning
Communities
Project Manager
Angie Grasberger
after receiving
academy
recognition.
School District of Manatee County
level of achievement and has become a national “Model”
academy. The four academies were honored at the National
Career Academy Coalition Conference.
BRHS National Model
Academies
A
t the 16th Annual
N at io n al C ar e er
Academy Coalition (NCAC)
held in Nashville Tennessee,
Braden River High School
took center stage in front over
almost 1,000 teachers, principals, school board members,
district staff and business leaders to receive the NCAC
Model Academy Awards for
the Arts and Communication
Academy, the Business and
International Studies Academy, the Science Technology
and Health Academy, and the
E n gine e r in g, De sign an d
Leadership Academy. Of the
entire United States which has
over 15,000 school districts,
only 23 academies were being
r eco gn ize d as a Nat ional
Model. BRHS received 4 of
the 23 awards.
Up to this point, Manatee County had two Model
Academies: Manatee High
Representatives from each of the four
School’s Medical Academy
Braden River High School career acadand Southeast High School’s
emies receive recognition at the NCAC
Visual and Performing Arts
Model Academy Awards.
Academy.
Our community should be very proud of what our teachers
and schools are doing to help advance our students through these
academies and the industry certifications they provide.
Middle School Academies Expand
T
hree more Manatee middle schools are planning the
development of a career academy for 2013–14. The
Lincoln Middle Academy of Agriscience has hit the ground
running. Its mission states that the academy will “prepare students for successful careers and lifetime success in global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems through hands-on,
project-based learning and relevant, research-based curriculum.”
Under the direction of Principal Ronnie King and lead teacher
Ms. Kim Lough, the academy has shown great promise.
The Nolan Middle School eSTEAM Academy (Expertise in
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), under the
Page 3
direction of technology educator Justin Devine, Principal Nancy
High, and Assistant Principal Tamara Cornwell, will strive to
create self-reliant 21st century innovators through the use of technology, leadership and academic excellence to support student
career, college and future choices and the motivation to thrive in
an ever-changing technological world. A thought provoking three
year plan ensures this academy great success.
Sugg’s Culinary Academy of Kitchen Epicure Systems
(CAKES), under the direction of family and consumer science
teacher Valerie Montgomery and Principal Sharon Scarbrough,
will provide students with the opportunity to survey food through
taste, research, demonstrations, science-based experimentation,
and cooperative cooking teams. This academy integrates academic
-based learning with real life skills as students attain industry certifications that transition them to existing CAPE Academies at
Manatee and Southeast High Schools.
The school teams (principal and lead teacher) along with
district staff have met to discuss this new initiative and how it will
look and affect their school. The teams have chosen a name,
developed a mission statement, and set goals for the first three
years. They have identified the course progression and industry
certifications for their academy students, and have submitted
documentation with any changes to the curriculum. The schools
have now completed their academy applications and marketing
materials (flyers and videos), and presented their ideas to their
faculties, SAC groups and to their feeder elementary and high
schools. Great things are in store for the students who will enroll
in these three new academies.
Left: Agriscience instructor Kim
Lough and Principal Ronnie King
teamed together to plan Lincoln’s
Academy of Agriscience.
Right: Family and Consumer Science
instructor Valerie Montgomery and
Principal Sharon Scarbrough are
planning the CAKES Academy
CAPE Academies Honored
T
he career academies at all six of Manatee County's
traditional high schools were honored at a school
board meeting, taking home a total of $385,000 they had earned
through their student’s achievements.
The Florida Legislature recognizes Career and Professional
Education (CAPE) academies, and awards funding for every
graduating senior who earns an industry certification. These certifications equip students with work-ready skills, whether they
attend college or go directly into the workforce.
Bayshore, Palmetto, Southeast, Lakewood Ranch, Braden
River, and Manatee high schools all received checks to be used by
their career academies.
Page 4
CAPE Academy checks presented to representatives from each of the career
academies.
Adult, Career and Technical Education
Meet Sara Gaines, New Transition Specialist
Freshman “Microsoft Office Master”
B
raden River High School’s business technology teacher
and FBLA adviser Christy Goehring reports that
freshman Cory Bolles has started the new year off with a bang!
Cory earned his seventh and final Microsoft Office industry certification when he passed the Excel Expert exam, which makes this
ninth-grade student a Microsoft Office Master. Accomplishing
such an amazing achievement makes Cory stand out not just in
high school but also in the competitive global market. He has
earned certifications in Microsoft Office Word, Access, Excel,
Outlook, PowerPoint, Word Expert, and Excel Expert.
Below: Mrs. Goehring
with Microsoft Master
Cory Bolles
Above: Mrs. Goehring's first period students
who passed the Microsoft Word national
certification exam
Students Zap Electrical Certifications
T
he Electronics Technology program at
MTI is proud to announce that ten of its
students have acquired the Electronics Technician Association (ETA) national certification in
DC Associate Certified Electronics Technician
(C.E.T.)—DC Basics. The certification qualifies the
students for an entry-level position as an electronics assembler,
and is the first of four internationally recognized electronic certifications. All of these certifications were acquired during the first
quarter. Congratulations to Joel Casas, Robert Clark, Andrew
Cline, John Henry, Ronald Lemus, Dustin Lynn, Herminio
Maldonado, Ian Moore, Yonier Pinon, and James Skene. Kudos
to instructors Wendy Sheehan and Russ Swallow, as well.
S
ara Gaines is excited to join the ACT
Department as the new Florida Diagnostic
and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
Human Resources Specialist. Sara will work
primarily with students who are ages 14–22 and
who are part of the Exceptional Student EducaSara Gaines
tion (ESE) program. Sara feels that her new
position is a great fit, as she has worked as an ESE teacher for the
past ten years. She is looking forward to assisting the students as
they transition into their postsecondary education or careers.
OJT Delivers Experience, Opportunity
“When I grow up, I want to be… ”
W
hat was your dream job growing up? Who were the
people that encouraged you? Did someone tell you
that your goal was unachievable? Did one specific person help
you achieve a goal in your own journey? Have you helped a
student achieve his or her goal?
In many situations, skills are taught best through experience
and opportunity. The students of Manatee County Schools are
fortunate to have the unique opportunity to collaborate with our
business partners to gain this experience and opportunity.
Through the On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Option 2 programs,
students are able to learn a variety of skills that assist them in
successfully transitioning into their postsecondary goals.
While at their community-based job sites, students are
mentored, encouraged, and guided to learn job skills in a positive
atmosphere. Students arrive at their job sites during the school
day and earn credits towards graduation from their high school.
The students featured in this edition of the Transition Times are
just a few examples of how these programs are leading to positive
results and—in the process—helping some find that dream job.
Thank you OJT teachers, business partners, Option 2
coordinator, teachers, and support staff for daily encouraging
these students and working with them to achieve their personal
career goals.
Chief Architect Certification Workshop
T
echnology and engineering teachers from across the
District came together at PHS to attend and learn at a
Chief Architect industry certification workshop. Everyone was
blown away by the power and
ease of this affordable yet
powerful professional 3D
architectural home design
software.
District technology teachers learned
Chief Architect 3D design software.
School District of Manatee County
Proskurina Photographer of the Year
M
Marina Proskurina
arina Proskurina, digital design instructor
at Manatee Technical Institute, won 2012
Photographer of the Year from the Professional
Photographers Society of Central Florida. The
society presented her with the award at a banquet
in Orlando. Earlier in the year, Proskurina had
three of her creative images accepted into the
2012 International Photographic Competition
Page 5
hosted by the Professional Photographers of America.
Digital design is a new program offered at MTI. To apply
for acceptance into this program or for more information,
contact MTI career counselor Terri Parrish at (941) 751-7900 or
[email protected].
Surprise $40,000 Scholarship Winner
W
hen MHS senior Katty Pierre-Charles was in eighth
grade, she never dreamed of the surprise that
transpired just recently. Katty was working in economics class
when she was requested to go to a meeting. When she arrived,
classmates and her parents yelled, “Surprise!” and Katty learned
she had been named one of five Florida winners of the Take
Stock in Children Leaders 4 Life Fellowship, a scholarship valued
at $40,000!
Katty’s parents immigrated to the area from Haiti, and she
speaks fluent Creole. In eighth grade, Katty was awarded a Take
Stock in Children scholarship, one that paid the cost of tuition for
a Florida college if Katty met all the requirements for the rest of
her high school career. She would have to maintain good grades,
good behavior, and meet with a mentor once a week during the
school year.
Since that time, Katty has met all of those requirements and
more, and has met weekly with her mentor, retired media specialist Judith Leipold. A student at the MHS Medical Academy, Katty
plans to pursue a career in medicine. She has been accepted at
USF in Tampa, and is waiting to hear from two other
universities. Congratulations
to this deserving scholar.
Katty Pierre-Charles receives her
scholarship from School Board Chair
Karen Carpenter.
Leadership Breakfast: All-Star Henry Lawrence
C
ommunity leaders, faith based leaders, educators, and
mentors recently gathered for the Sixth Annual Leadership Prayer Breakfast benefitting Take Stock in Children of
Manatee County. This year the Keynote Speaker was Oakland/
LA Raiders All-Star Henry Lawrence, a Palmetto native and former migrant worker who rose to stardom earning three Super
Bowl Championship rings.
N o w an en te rt ain er an d
philanthropist, his impassioned presentation at the
Prayer Breakfast encouraged
Take Stock scholars and the
over 450 guests present to
pursue their dreams. “The
Former NFL All-Star Henry Lawrence
sky’s the limit!” he shared.
Page 6
Nolan HOSA: Generous and Caring
T
he Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
students at Nolan Middle are a very generous community. Under the leadership of advisor Pam Rahn, HOSA members
helped Hurricane Isaac victims in Louisiana by hosting a friendly
Penny Wars competition between all of the first period classes.
The group received a letter and certificate of appreciation from
the HOSA state advisor in Louisiana for their efforts. HOSA
raised almost $1,700 to be used for the club and donated to
Cystic Fibrosis research and to Hurricane Isaac victims.
HOSA also hosted a Nolan's Got Talent Show to raise
funds for Hurricane Sandy victims. Deborah Wilbanks, a sixth
grade World Culture teacher, was asked by her students, "How
can we help people affected by Hurricane Sandy?” At that time,
HOSA was celebrating HOSA week and decided to partner with
M r s. W i lb an ks t o r a ise
fun ds. HOSA m e m b e r s
earned over $1,400 in seven
days!
“We appreciate the
efforts of our students, their
parents, families, and teachers supporting our efforts!”
said Ms. Rahn.
Above: Nolan’s HOSA Chapter is
going strong; right: talent show raised
funds for Hurricane Sandy victims.
HOSA Helps Earn Fuel Up to Play 60 Grant
A
s the Fuel Up To Play 60 ambassadors, a
grant for $2,400 was awarded to Nolan
Middle School through HOSA. Nolan’s own
artist, Wade Smith, will be leading an initiative to
brighten the dining hall with a mural depicting fruits, vegetables,
grains, and dairy. There will also be taste testing for breakfast and
lunch and healthy snacks for sports’ clubs. The PE department
will receive a DisCatcher Golf Target set to prepare future golfers. We appreciate the ongoing support of Nolan HOSA!
PHS HOSA: Generosity Abounds
H
at’s off to Palmetto High School’s HOSA students
who raised $513 recently at this year’s Making Strides
Against Breast Cancer Walk.
Janel S. Shinn, HOSA advisor and biomedical science
teacher, reports that the
students donated the funds
to the Breast Cancer Society.
PHS HOSA members at the Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.
Adult, Career and Technical Education
Then, in support of the patients at All Children’s Hospital,
the PHS HOSA students collected bears and books. Janel then
delivered the collections to the hospital to donate. The students
collected over 120 books, 50 bears, and 17 gifts! Way to go Tigers
and HOSA, for putting those generous hearts into action.
HOSA students
collected books,
bears, and gifts
for All Children’s
Hospital.
“We Care” Dental Serves Needy Children
L
ocal school children recently received dental care
through two events of the “We Care” Dental Project at
MTI East. The project is a joint effort of MTI and the Manatee
District School Nurses. MTI Dental Assisting students provided
pediatric teeth polishing, fluoride treatments, radiographs, and
oral health screenings. MTI dental assisting program director and
project co-coordinator Kim Bland, CDA, reports that many
children do not have access to dental care.
At the first event, students were under the supervision of
volunteer local dentists Dr. Peter Masterson of Lakewood Ranch
Dental, Dr. George Meadows, a pediatric dentist in Bradenton,
and Dr. Francis Curd of LECOM School of Dentistry.
At the second event, Dr. Allison O'Brien was the supervising dentist, accompanied by volunteer hygienist Kelly Roth,
RDH, who is a former MTI Dental Assistant graduate and
current hygienist for Dr. Tiffany Boyd of Braden River Dental.
The “We Care” Dental Project serves school-age children
who have limited access to routine dental care. The event runs
two to four times per year depending on funding and volunteer
dentist availability. Patients requiring further dental treatment are
then referred to area dental healthcare providers with follow-up
supervision provided by the child’s school nurse.
Appointments are made by the Manatee District school
nurses through project co-coordinator Cheryl Stuart, RN, nurse at
McNeal Elementary. The services are provided at MTI’s East
Campus at 5520 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
The MTI students are active in the Health Occupations
Students of America (HOSA), SkillsUSA, and the MTI Student
Chapter of the American Dental Assistants Association. The “We
Care” project is a community service/service learning project for
th e se st uden t
organizations.
“It is a labor of
love for all
involved in its
product ion,”
L–R: Dental Assisting students Guadalupe Sanchez and Courtney Parrott provide
polishing and fluoride varnish to the teeth of an elementary school student. Dental
Assisting student Kevin Lucas assists Dr. Orin Oberlander with a procedure for a high
school student.
School District of Manatee County
said Kim Bland. “We couldn't make it happen without Cheryl
Stuart, our school nurse liaison/partner.”
The “We Care” clinic plans to serve more children in March
and May of 2013. At this time, the clinic is free for the children.
Funding has come from various sources, including grants from
the District and the Gulfcoast South Area Health Education
Center. However, the project is always looking for funding and
professional volunteers to continue its services. Interested
donors, dentists, and hygienists may contact Bland at 941-7528100 x 210 or [email protected].
In the news: The We Care project was featured in Inside
Dental Assisting magazine, a national publication for professional
dental assistants. To see the feature, visit:
http://editiondigital.net/publication/?i=134086&p=18
Real-World Relevance: Healthcare Field Trips
N
olan Middle School’s HOSA students recently spent a
day visiting two healthcare facilities: the Lake Erie
College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and the Windsor
Memories Alzheimer’s facility. Both facilities have agreed to partner with Nolan for future visits.
Students began a visit to LECOM's Medical and Pharmacy
programs. One of the medical program speakers was a former
HOSA student from Georgia, and one of the pharmacy speakers
was also a former HOSA member.
Nolan students observed how they film LECOM students
for their exams as they perform diagnostic procedures with real
patients from the community. The younger students saw the
pharmacy compounding lab and the problem-based learning
classes that were in session.
Nolan students then toured LECOM's dental program and
were the first school to tour the facility! Students from the program answered questions, and Nolan students were able to enter
the lab where they were making dentures. The kids loved to see
the actual process! They learned about a Medical Science Academy that LECOM holds for two weeks in the summer for middle
and high school students, and about The Human Body Explored,
a monthly program offered from January to May. The students
from LECOM even offered emails to instructor Pam Rahn so
that the kids could contact them with questions.
After lunch, the group visited the Windsor—Memories. The
students talked with residents, played games, danced, and sang. “I
can't describe the level of emotions the kids experienced,” shared
Pam. “Tears and happiness for being able to make someone feel
good for a few minutes in a lifetime—it was very special.”
L–R: Nolan HOSA students at LECOM; interacting with a resident of the
Alzheimer unit at the Windsor assisted living facility.
Page 7
PCT Students Serve Community
Haile FBLA Develops Leadership
A
t this year’s Manatee County Fair,
students from the Patient Care
Technician (PCT) class from Manatee
Technical Institute’s (MTI) North
Campus in Palmetto staffed the MTI
booth. The students promoted the school, their career preparation program, as well as the career and technical student organization to which they all belong, SkillsUSA.
In recent months, the PCT students have served the
community through participation in a breast cancer walk,
Alzheimer's walk, filling shoe boxes for seniors through Meals on
Wheels, and assisting the Salvation Army of Manatee County. The
same group recently had a fundraiser at Woody's River Roo in
Ellenton to promote SkillsUSA, PCT program awareness, and to
raise funds for travel to SkillsUSA conferences.
For more information about the Patient Care Technician
program, contact instructor Susan Elias, RN, BSN, at
[email protected] or (941) 845-2092 ext. 2004.
H
aile Middle School FBLA students, under the leadership of Rochelle Banach, enjoyed the Fall Leadership
Conference in Melbourne, Florida. Haile was recognized in the
closing ceremony for having the highest number of middle school
students attending. Way to go, Haile FBLA, for showing your
commitment to future business leadership.
FBLA and Computer Applications in Business 2 students
took a field trip to the Bealls distribution center, gaining exposure
to this local retail employer. FBLA students also worked hard
p r e p ar in g
for competitions and
for the
District
Leadership
Conference.
L–R: Haile students enjoyed a leadership presentation at the Melbourne
Civic Center. Tyler McCrane, FBLA Vice President, demonstrates his
leadership presentation qualities by explaining his project.
Manatee County Hosts FBLA District Events
M
FBLA Walks for the Pink Cause
S
outheast High School's Future Business Leaders of
America (FBLA), led by advisor and business education teacher Cindy Rees, hosted the 4th Breast Cancer Awareness
Walk. As part of a month-long breast cancer awareness event,
FBLA students made posters and sewed pink ribbons to distribute to all staff members. FBLA students accepted donations on
behalf of the National Breast Cancer
Foundation or the
Susan G. Komen
Foundation.
Scenes from the SEHS
Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
ore than 500 middle and high school students representing five counties converged on the State College
of Florida (SCF) on a recent February Saturday, when SCF and
the Manatee County School District hosted the Future Business
Leaders of America (FBLA) District 18 Leadership Conference.
Students competed in a wide variety of business-related contests
including Impromptu Speaking, Entrepreneurship, Digital Video,
Job Interview, Management Decision Making and more. Students
who won competitions at the District level will advance to
compete at the FBLA State Conference in Orlando in April.
Lakewood Ranch High School business technology teacher
Bobbi Colson, Ed.D., serves as District 18 Director, while Southeast High School’s business technology teacher Cindy Rees serves
as Co-Director. Four of the seven student FBLA officers are
from Manatee County.
More results and photos from the event will be shared in
the next issue of the ACT Update. For more information, contact
Bobbi Colson, Ed.D., at Lakewood Ranch High at 727-6100, ext.
2118.
Lincoln FBLA Starts Out with Success
T
he new Lincoln Middle School business education
teacher and FBLA advisor Teresa Cook reports that
the chapter held its first
f un dr a i se r o f t h e y e ar .
Students sold over $2,200
worth of Yankee Candle
products resulting in a profit
of $864.40. Congratulations!
LMS FBLA fundraiser success
Page 8
L–R: FBLA District 18 Director and LRHS business technology teacher Bobbi Colson;
the FBLA contingent from Bayshore High School with advisor Bonnie Condor; PHS
business technology teacher Laura Gonzales, District 18 Co-Director Cindy Rees, and
retired PHS business technology teacher Gayle Twitty.
Adult, Career and Technical Education
New at Southeast High: Chef Jacque
T
he ACT Department introduces the new Southeast
High School chef and culinary instructor, Jacque Allen.
For Chef Jacque, making the switch from Haile Middle’s cafeteria
manager to Southeast’s culinary arts program was a natural
progression. Chef Jacque, who also works as a chef at the Polo
Bar and Grill in Lakewood Ranch, relates well to teenagers and
has begun to develop a rapport with her students.
“Kids are opening up to me,” she shared recently. “Some
have come to talk to me, kids who are thinking of dropping out.
If they come and talk to you, you know you’re getting through.”
In the few months since she started her new position, her
students have participated in the Chowdown for Charity event
and the Mixon Fruit Farms Culinary Competition, where two of
her students placed first and second in their events. (See related
article.) They also participated in a Gingerbread House competition in Sarasota and are making plans for SkillsUSA competitions.
With 320 students in Culinary 1, 2, and 3, as well as a group
of interns in their fourth year of culinary, the school’s brand new
commercial kitchen stays busy. Chef Jacque and her advanced
students serve lunch daily for staff, teachers, and guests at the
Seminole Café, where $4.00 buys a chef-inspired meal. They also
prepare and sell culinary creations for special events, such as
Thanksgiving pies and Christmas cookies. Through the Seminole
Café operations, events, and sales of goodies, the program strives
to be self-supporting.
“It’s a lot to get used to,” said Chef Jacque. “But I’m really
enjoying it!”
Above: Chef Jacque oversees the baking with a
student chef. Right: Chef Jacque and her
advanced students made the cover of TownTaster
Magazine! See the article at http://bit.ly/XcVOfr
Sugg Middle, Where Culinary Meets Science
S
ugg Middle School culinary students and their teacher,
Valerie Montgomery, have already discovered how
much this new program has to offer. As they began the food
safety unit, students learned through hands-on science experiments combined with research activities. Some of these efforts
were recognized at fightbac.org, an organization that promotes
food safety.
School District of Manatee County
Food safety
experiments
demonstrate
bacteria and the
importance of
washing hands
correctly.
One experiment demonstrated the importance of hand
washing. In groups of six, students examined three sets of hands:
unwashed, water rinsed, and those washed for twenty seconds
with soap then rinsed with water. Then, each student applied
glow germ powder and examined their hands under black light—
with startling results! Washing hands with soap for the required
twenty seconds made a huge difference.
Another enlightening experiment came about when students
shook hands with Mrs. Montgomery as they entered the classroom. Mrs. Montgomery then took out an apple, cutting board,
and knife. The apple was cut into 6 pieces and placed in a plastic
bag marked “everybody.” The process was repeated after Mrs.
Montgomery washed her hands, all equipment, and another apple.
This bag was marked “Mrs. M.” After seven days, students
surveyed results and discovered the importance of washing their
hands and their food before it is eaten.
This food safety curriculum culminated in the creation of
food safety videos. Students filmed commercials depicting the
dangers of poor food handling, kitchen safety procedures, and
hand washing. These commercials are being aired on the school
morning news for every student to see. Students also created
posters to inform the school population about bacteria, safe food
handling, and kitchen safety.
The student’s work was featured on Team Food Safety, an
online community for food safety educators at: http://
teamfoodsafety.org/bac-fighter-field-reports/item/mythbustersin-the-classroom.
As Sugg plans for the new Culinary Academy of Kitchen
Epicure Systems (CAKES) program, the future looks bright. Next
semester students will learn nutrition by cooking through the
food plate and traveling the world through international recipes.
Visiting chefs will teach knife skills and practical knowledge about
culinary careers. At the end of this year, eighth graders will test to
receive industry certification in safety and food handling. Next
year, as eighth graders, they will also have the opportunity to enroll in a high school course, Culinary I, earning high school credit.
Greenhouse management will be added through the integration
of an on-campus greenhouse, as it is their wish that all students
understand the importance of bringing the
garden to the table.
Culinary students entertained
visitors for an open house at
Sugg’s new culinary facility.
Here, students pose with
interim Superintendent Dr.
David Gaylor.
Page 9
FCCLA Meeting: Get a Clue!
D
istrict 7 of Family, Career and Community
Leaders of America (FCCLA) held their
annual District Meeting at Woodland Community
Church. There were almost 100 people at this
meeting representing six different schools from the district. The
schools represented were Lake Placid Middle School, Sebring
High School, Braden River Middle School, Lakewood Ranch
High School, Manatee High School, and Sugg Middle School.
State officers Micaela Figueroa, Miranda Lim, and Briana
Nelson-Canty worked together with district officers Alexis
Gregor, Nicoletta Freer, and Hailey Todoroff to plan the meeting
around the well-known Clue board game and the state theme,
“FCCLA: the Best Kept Secret.” Each school in attendance had
to create wall decorations to represent a room they were assigned
from the game Clue. The state and district officers also created a
skit around the Clue game, while attendees tried to figure out the
mystery.
At the end of the meeting, new district and state officer
candidates were selected. These students include Cassandra
Rankin, Jessica Zelitt, Meghan Neu, and Michelle Sobolewski for
district officers and Nicoletta
Freer and Hailey Todoroff
for state officer candidates.
L–R: Briana Nelson-Canty, Nicoletta
Freer, Meghan Neu, Cassandra Rankin, Micaela Figueroa, Hailey Todoroff,
Michelle Sobolewski, Jessica Zelitt,
Alexis Gregor, and Miranda Lim
First Place Clue
T
he FCCLA theme for this year is FCCLA: The Best Kept
Secret. As part of the District 7 Fall Leadership Meeting,
each chapter was assigned a room from the ever popular Clue
Game. Manatee High School (MHS) students created the dining
room, with the chandelier hiding a wrench, the curtains tied back
with rope (of course), and a candlestick and knife on the table.
After winning first place, the
“room” now hangs as a
backdrop for the preschool
kitchen area. Everything is
always put to good use!
The Clue game hangs as a backdrop
at the MHS preschool kitchen area.
horizontal, 360 degree surface. While working on the SMART
Table, students build cognitive, social, and fine motor skills and
teachers can create engaging activities.
The ECE 2 students, along with hand-picked ECE 1
students, attended a workshop to learn how to operate the new
SMART Table. Two representatives from Audio Visual Innovations, Inc. spent three hours teaching the students (and Mrs.
Acton) how to use the table and how to create their own activities
for the table. Classroom
laptops were loaded with the
software and students learned
just like the preschoolers they
teach; hands-on!
Learning the new SMART Table
How Does Your Garden Grow?
W
ith the help of Crystal Culver, a member of the MHS
Global Leadership Academy Advisory Board and
Keiser University instructor, and Pat Zalo, MHS Science Department Chair, the ECE students are growing herbs and potted
vegetables in the preschool play area. With the donation of a
plant lighting unit, the students started seeds inside and then
transplanted them outside. The preschool children observe plant
growth and learn the value of being productive. One of their daily
responsibilities is to water the plants. The herbs are then available
for Culinary Arts.
Students transfer
seedlings into felt
wrappings, which are
then placed in the
vertical garden.
Learning + Fun = Priceless
A
fter completing the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Child Growth and Development Module,
the ECE 1 students recently put learning into action. Working in
groups, students planned games, crafts, and a puppet show. The
students wrote simple lesson plans, created and gathered materials, and implemented the activity with the children. One group
created several simple games for the children to use on the new
SMART Table. Fun plus learning for everyone = priceless!
Smart Students, Smart Table
T
he Small Learning Communities grant recently
purchased a new SMART Table for the MHS Early
Childhood Education (ECE) program, under the direction of
instructor Nancy Acton. A SMART Table is a multi-touch,
multi-user interactive learning center that allows groups of early
education students to work simultaneously on one surface.
Today's tech-savvy students gravitate to the SMART Table and its
Page 10
VPK students learn on the SMART Table; ECE students put learning into action.
Trikes for St. Judes
M
HS ECE students, along with the VPK preschoolers
and FCCLA members, participated in a Trike-a-Thon
fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Before the
Adult, Career and Technical Education
event, the children learned about the importance of bicycle safety
and Mrs. Acton’s FCCLA students collected donations for St.
Jude’s. The ECE students set
up a “race course” and the
children brought their bikes
and safety gear. It was so
much fun that they plan to
do it again this spring!
St. Judes Trike-a-Thon
Mini Mustang Adventures
L
akewood Ranch High School’s Mini Mustangs have
been busy. The four-year-old VPK class rode a school
bus for the first time as they attended the School Time Performance held at the VanWezel
Performin g Arts Center.
They were accompanied by
their high school Early Childhood Education student teachers. It was lots of fun
for everyone!
The three-year-olds dressed in Native American costumes for their family feast at Thanksgiving. The children’s parents were invited to
the Feast to share lunch and observe the class
projects. It was a great time to share with
families!
Above: boarding the bus to the Van Wezel Performing Arts
Center. Left: a family feast.
New FCCLA in Action
F
CCLA is alive and well again at Sugg Middle School,
under the direction of advisor Valerie Montgomery.
Their first service project was to bake each month for “Pastry
with the Principal.” This is a meeting with parents and administrators to discuss concerns and happenings on campus. So far
students have made monkey bread, muffins, and a variety of
coffee cakes.
Students then gathered momentum to raise money for a
turkey raffle open to all students. They raised enough money for
25 turkeys to be given away. Next year their goal is 100! As the
semester ended, students were planning their projects and looking
forward to competing in the District Competition and States in
the spring. Meanwhile, they still found time to help pack up holiday boxes for servicemen and women overseas. FCCLA stuffed
100 Christmas stockings made from socks for the Salvation
Army. The stockings plus
100 ditty bags were for those
who are often forgotten at
Christmas. FCCLA is off to
a fantastic start!
FCCLA students give away turkeys
School District of Manatee County
Chowdown for Charity
C
ulinary students from Manatee High School, Southeast
High School, Manatee Technical Institute and USF
Sarasota/Manatee competed at the recent fourth annual Chowdown for Charity event, raising funds to support their programs
as well as the Manatee County Food Bank. Sponsored by the
Manatee Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, the event was held at the Riverhouse restaurant in Palmetto.
Several participating restaurants took part.
C o n gr at u l at io n s t o
Chef Marquette and the
Canes culinary students who
swept first place in all three
categories including the People’s Choice, Judge’s Choice,
and Best Booth Presentation. Canes culinary students
presented and served their
signature Harvest Bread
Pudding dessert to a crowd
of over 300 community and
business leaders.
Manatee High School chefs and
Manatee Technical Institute chefs
Citrus Competition Winners
E
leven Southeast High School culinary students participated in Mixon Fruit Farm’s fifth annual Citrus
Cooking Competition, along with many other students from
Manatee Technical institute, Manatee High, and Sugg Middle
School. The students entered dessert and appetizer competitions,
in which the main ingredient of the dishes had to be composed of
citrus fruit. Mixons donated the citrus fruits, jellies, and jams to
each participating school.
Southeast’s very own Sabrina Escuza took first place in the
dessert contest with an Upside Down Orange Cake, and won a
chance to job-shadow two chefs, Lan Bradeen at Melange and
Steve Phelps at Indigenous, as well as her cake being featured for
one month at Melange restaurant. Lucas Fath took second place
in the Appetizer contest with his Citrus Roasted Bruschetta, and
also got the opportunity to job-shadow chef Greg Campbell at
Pier 22, and they both will be featured in an article in the Town
Taster Magazine. Southeast High School would like to thank
Mixon’s Fruit Farms for their continued support.
In related news, Sugg Middle School students placed third in
the dessert category. Their orange olive oil cake was made with
olive oil that was provided free of charge from their business
L–R: SEHS’s Sabrina
Escuza and the trophy
for winning the Citrus
Competition Dessert
contest. Sugg citrus
competitors
Page 11
partner, Paneolio Olive Oil. The school was to be featured on
their website, www.paneolio.com.
MTI Culinary Sparkles at Wine Fest
T
he MTI Culinary Arts Program instructors and
students wowed guests at the 11th annual Suncoast
Food and Wine Fest at the Sarasota Polo Grounds. This popular
annual event allows culinary students to share the spotlight with
35 area restaurants and about 2,000 wine and food lovers. Sponsored by the Rotary Club, the event supports numerous local
charities. MTI
instructor Chef
Jamie Gregorich
and one of her
students, Maur e en Ken dall,
gave a cooking
class during the
Wine Fest.
Scenes from the fest
SETV Debuts Army Corps of Engineers Video
W
hen the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
needed to produce a video to help warn
children and adults about the dangers of unexploded ordnance or ammunition, they ultimately turned to the TV
and Production Department at Southeast High School, under the
direction of instructor Mike Sanders. Just over 12 minutes in
length, the video uses an imaginary news broadcast to emphasize
the potential dangers and proper responses children or adults
should follow when they encounter an unexploded bomb or
other form of munitions or explosive. The video presents the
“Three R’s” of explosives safety (Recognize, Retreat, and Report).
USA Environmental, Inc., a business based in Oldsmar,
Florida, will use the video in training demonstrations across the
country to teach people about the danger, especially in areas
where the U.S. Military has had or has rifle, artillery, tank or
bomb ranges.
“We go to school sites and tell students and parents how to
be prepared if
they come
across an unexploded ordnance
Footage from the
SETV production of a
training video for the
US Army Corps of
Engineers
Page 12
(UXO),” said Sarah Gambino, Marketing Supervisor for USA
Environmental, Inc. “We also speak to adult groups and organizations such as construction or utility workers who might come
across these kinds of munitions.”
GSL Solutions, a Tampa-based website design and content
management services firm, played an important role in bringing
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the TV Production
Department at Southeast High School together for this project.
SETV Instructor Mike Sanders directed the video and
employed the services of two of his former SETV students, Farah
Britto and Chelsie Sloan, in the roles of producers and editors for
the project.
Actors for the video included Southeast High School
Drama Teacher Jason Schiessl, Yearbook/Senior Advisor Randy
Funderburke, and three TV Production students – Jaysha Patel,
Daniel Shevlin, and Luizangel Walle. In addition, members of
Southern Manatee Fire Rescue Station 1 volunteered their
services for the video.
SETV Broadcasts Live PAL All Star Game
S
outheast High School Director of Television Mike
Sanders reports that the Police Athletic League (PAL)
granted permission for the SETV sports broadcast team to stream
the PAL Bowl All Star football game between Manatee County all
stars and Sarasota County all stars. The live broadcast gave an
opportunity for the SETV students’ work to be seen nationwide
via the internet, and gave the football players with relatives and
friends outside of the area an opportunity to see their favorite
student athlete in action. To see clips of this game and other
SE T V b r o adc a st s, v is it
www.highschoolcube.com/
schoo ls/so uthe ast -h ighschool-bradenton-florida
Live football broadcast of the
PAL Bowl All Star game
Tony Smith Joins Lee’s TV Production and TSA
N
avy veteran Tony Smith recently joined Lee Middle
School as a TV Production/Technology teacher and
TSA advisor. Tony’s career began with over 20 years of military
service where he worked with complex electronic systems and
later as an advanced electronics instructor. After earning a degree
in Education and Curriculum Development from Southern
Illinois University and later moving to Florida, Tony participated
in Troops to Teachers, a program designed to help prior military
personnel start a new career in education. He
began as a guest teacher in Manatee County, while
earning his Florida teaching certification.
In 2009, Tony volunteered to help Southeast
High School’s TSA chapter. In 2010, he began
teaching math and science at Braden River Middle,
and assisted with their TSA program as well. He
spent 2011 teaching intensive language arts at Tony Smith
Adult, Career and Technical Education
Southeast, and this year arrived at Lee Middle. Tony looks
forward to starting Lee’s TSA program.
“I have worked with Engineering and Technology for most
of my life,” said Tony, “and am looking forward to passing that
knowledge and experience to a new generation of learners.”
Communication Rocks
B
RHS Arts and Communication Academy co-lead
teacher, Jillian Bieber, reported that BRHS won the
93.3 FLZ Jingle Ball contest. The wonderful students and staff
voted every day for two weeks straight, and won out in competition with over 20 Tampa Bay schools. The only other Manatee
school was Lakewood High School. BRHS achieved total votes of
41.49% of all the participating schools! Wow!
The winning school sent one student to walk and work the
red carpet and two students to attend the show and interview the
performers such as Justin Bieber, Kesha, Ed Sheeran, and Sean
Kingston. Journalism students selected Kelsey Lutzi to walk and
work the red carpet and Brandon Huynh and Bailey Rodgers who
attended and reported on the show. A special mention goes to
Katie Cafiero, who brought this competition to the school’s
attention and worked extremely hard to secure votes. She also
attended the event.
Kelsey Lutzi and Katie Cafiero had a Skype interview during
Journalism class with Gayle Guyardo from News Channel 8. The
students were followed by her videographer during their red
carpet experience at the Jingle Ball Concert at the Tampa Bay
Times Forum. The "Making a Difference" segment was aired the
next day. Gayle asked the girls how they were going to bring this
experience back to the classroom, what they learned from their
experience, and what surprised them about interviewing the stars.
The girls met Gayle at the concert; she was so impressed with
their story of how they had won this experience from 939.3FLZ
that she wanted to follow up with them and tell their story
through her own news show.
L–R: The
students with
Gayle
Guyardo live,
and on Skype
from the
classroom.
Cover Story: F1 Students Race in Abu Dhabi
B
RHS engineering student Mario Palmer, BRHS alumni
Jeremy Petty, and Lakewood Ranch freshman Aly
Cote traveled to the F1 in Schools World Finals racing competition in Abu Dhabi, UAE. F1 in Schools is a multi-disciplinary
challenge in which teams of students deploy CAD/CAM software
School District of Manatee County
to collaborate, design, analyze, manufacture, test, and then race
miniature gas powered balsa wood F1 cars.
The students were part of Velox F1, a collaboration team of
six students—three from Manatee County and three from
Canada—who spent five months and approximately 500 hours
virtually preparing for the event using Skype, social media
networking, and WebEx. The six did not meet in person until
they arrived in the UAE for the competition.
The team finished 13th after fierce competition. A total of
33 teams from 22 countries competed in the event with more
than 350 students competing for top awards. The competition
was held inside the world’s largest indoor theme park, Ferrari
World on Yas Island overlooking the prestigious Yas Marina
Formula One Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
“This was a truly amazing learning experience,” said Mario,
the team’s graphic designer. “We have met students from all over
the world and witnessed
how each team interpreted the engineering
rules to compete in this
global competition.”
The VELOX team with advisors in
Abu Dhabi
BHS VEX Excellence—Heading to VEX Worlds
C
am Powell and Zack Zofrea will represent
Bayshore High School and Manatee County
at the VEX World Championships in Anaheim,
CA in April 2013. Cam and Zack earned their way to World's
with two VEX Excellence Awards this season. As seniors, competing at the World level was their goal and they earned their first
invitation early, at the Bayshore Bot Blast in October 2012 by
outperforming over 30 teams from Miami to Tampa. They earned
their second invitation in January 2013 with a win at the Space
Coast Showdown at Palm Bay High School. This time they outperformed 34 extremely competitive teams including teams from
Puerto Rico and Mexico. VEX Excellence is awarded to teams
that excel in four key skills; programming, driver skills, competition and engineering design. Cam and Zack know they need to
continue improving their design and game strategy between now
and worlds in order to capture the world title.
The VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) is a worldwide technology event with more than 4,800
teams from 20 countries competing
in over 300 tournaments worldwide.
VEX infuses fun and excitement
into a solid program enhancing skills
in science, technology, engineering,
and math (STEM). The league helps
students improve their robotics
engineering and competitive skills.
Cam Powell and Zack Zofrea ,
VEX Excellence award winners
Page 13
BHS TSA Creates League, Hosts VEX Event
B
ayshore High School technology education
instructor and TSA advisor Martha Proulx
has led the charge to implement a new area VEX
robotics league. Proulx and her TSA robotics
students hosted over 30 middle and high school teams from
Tampa to Naples, where competitors sharpened skills and participated in a VEX competition. “The league gives the students
opportunities to come together and get up to speed on VEX
robotics,” said Proulx. Bayshore is home to two-time national
VEX champs Cameron Powell and Zack Zofrea, and is also one
of the few schools with an all-girls team. Madison Perry and Sarah
Ann Polyakovics have begun to earn respect in the league.
Manatee County TSA advisors and volunteers who participated in the event included Martha Proulx (BHS), Roger Proulx
(BHS), Richard Platt (SEHS), Adam Carmicheal (KMS), Hollis
Bostic (JMS), Tony Smith (Lee), Tracy Whitlock (LRHS/HMS),
Crystal Perry (parent TSA advisor, BHS), as well as students from
Harllee Middle and
Braden River High who
worked as scorekeepers
and field resetters.
Clockwise from left: BHS
engineering teacher Martha Proulx
with students; engineering teachers Adam Carmicheal (King MS),
Richard Platt (SEHS) Hollis Bostic
(Johnson MS) and School Board
Member Dave Miner; scenes from
the VEX event.
Model Water Tower Competition
I
n conjunction with our technology and engineering programs, the American Water Works Association (AWWA),
Florida Region X, recently held its tenth annual Model Water
Tower Competition at Haile Middle School.
The objective of the model water tower competition is to
make participants aware of the importance of reliable drinking
water and the rewarding opportunities available in the water
profession. The competition does this by having students develop
an idea into a functioning water tower, just like water professionals do in the real world!
Student-built water towers are judged on structural
efficiency, cost efficiency, hydraulic efficiency—measured by the
amount of time it takes to fill and drain one gallon of water, and
design ingenuity, a
subjective evaluation
of craftsmanship,
im agin at io n , an d
artistic merit.
BRHS technology teacher Gil
Burlew (right photo) observes
students’ water towers.
Page 14
Robotics Volunteers
S
everal Bayshore High School (BHS) Technology
Student Association (TSA) students volunteered to
help with the 18th Annual Manatee Children’s Summit at the
Manatee County Civic Center. TSA students spent two weeks
building and programming three VEX robots as well as designing
an obstacle course for area elementary school students to experience robotics for the first time. The VEX robots were provided
by RECF, Robotics Education Competition Foundation, which is
a not-for-profit organization dedicated to integrating science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) into the classroom.
The TSA students worked with over 100 excited students
who were using cutting-edge technology to test their robotics
skills. BHS volunteers included first-time robotics students,
experienced students, and even a Bayshore alumnus. Special
thanks to the students, TSA advisor Martha Proulx, and RECF
Business Partner/Regional Support Manager Mr. Roger Proulx.
TSA Hosts Party for Foster Families
M
ore than 45 foster care families and more than 140
children in foster care were treated to a special
celebration when Haile Middle School hosted the Third Annual
Technology Student Association’s Holiday Party. Student and
faculty volunteers representing TSA chapters from Haile, Nolan,
Johnson, Sugg, Harllee, Buffalo Creek, and King middle schools,
as well as Lakewood Ranch, Southeast and Bayshore high schools
provided technology-related activities and gifts for the children
and families attending the event.
With the help of TSA chapter members, the children raced
CO2 cars, operated robots, designed video games in Scratch,
created animation using Flash, built boats for racing, laser
engraved thermoses, designed marshmallow guns, and created
digital designs in Photoshop to print on tee shirts. All of these
fun activities helped them explore science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM). Guests enjoyed a spaghetti dinner, took
photos with Santa, and created ornaments, too. Special appreciation to Haile’s TSA advisor and technology instructor Pam Platt
for coordinating this event.
TSA students help foster children enjoy hands-on technology activities
Tech News from Nolan
C
ongratulations to Justin Devine, technology teacher
and TSA advisor at Nolan Middle School. Justin wrote
a grant sponsored by Civil Air Patrol—Aerospace Education and
was awarded funds to put towards the enhancement of the techAdult, Career and Technical Education
nology program. In addition, with much anticipation, Justin and Nolan leaders are working towards
establishing the eSTEAM Academy (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). Kudos
to Mr. Devine for his leadership in encouraging
students in their passion for technology.
Justin Devine
FBA students on
the job site at the
new Lakewood
Ranch global
headquarters of
IRISS, a manufacturer of infrared windows.
Elementary Engineers in Action
I
nspiring Elementary Engineering (IE2) teacher Deb
Smith reports that the Freedom Elementary Technology
Student Association (TSA) team has been involved in a cooperative project with the Ringling College of Art and Design and the
county Water Conservation Department. Students designed a
team project that explained different aspects of water conservation. Teams were given a wide variety of choices; some made
science fair board presentations, others designed TV game show
videos, game boards, obstacle courses, door hangers, knowledge
blocks, and comic strips. The young teams came up with great
ideas after a guest speaker shared about what our county does in
the area of conservation.
After the elementary projects were completed, they were
given to a class of Ringling graduate students who then used them
to produce their own water conservation projects as a course
requirement. It was a tremendous collaboration between the three
venues. As a culminating experience, the TSA team took a field
trip to the Water Treatment Plant on Waterline Road to see how
our water is processed and how it arrives at our homes safe
enough to drink. The team also heard about several conservation
efforts that the county is implementing. The kids enjoyed the
project and learned quite a bit that will provide a solid base for
the creation of some outstanding water towers for upcoming
water tower competitions.
Freedom
Elementary TSA
students observe
water testing and
learn about water
treatment processes.
FBA Visits IRISS, Inc. Commercial Job Site
I
t was a terrific day for exploring career pathways in
the building industry for 85 Future Builders of
America (FBA) students, where running was the
theme of the day. Cement trucks were running wet concrete, electricians were running wires, plumbers were running pipes, and
HVAC guys were running vents on the construction site of the
new global headquarters of IRISS, Inc. in Lakewood Ranch.
FBA students from Lincoln Middle School with FBA
School District of Manatee County
advisor Ray Weiland, Palmetto High School with FBA advisors
Bob Lounds and Jim Kapper, Manatee High School with advisor
Jeff Sharp, Sarasota Military Academy with advisor Ron Jones,
and MTI with advisors Jim Eisner and Brian Forbes, all dressed
in hard hats, safety glasses, long pants and closed-toe shoes so
they could get an up close look at the inner workings of an active
commercial job site.
Hosted by Fred M. Starling Construction, the students were
escorted by the job superintendent on a tour of the 30,000 foot
facility that is close to getting its Certificate of Occupancy.
Students observed how many trades play a vital role in the
construction industry and the importance of coordinating the
trades in order to keep the project on time and on budget. Of
special interest were the blueprints, which document the entire
plan for the construction of the building.
Alan Anderson, Executive Vice President of Home Builders
Association Manatee-Sarasota, facilitated the field trip and works
closely with FBA advisors, ensuring that students interested in the
construction industry have the opportunity to explore real-world
career experiences. FBA students also participated in the Parade
of Homes, an HBA Manatee-Sarasota sponsored tour of new
homes, where they will judge the homes based on quality, design,
use of space, and green building technologies.
BRHS Agriscience Intern
U
niversity of Florida (UF) graduate
student Sarah Pinkston is completing an
internship under the leadership of BRHS agriscience instructor Deb Barry. Sarah is completing
her UF graduate program in Agricultural Education
and Communication (AEC), one of the nation’s top Sarah Pinkston
programs in developing leaders, educators, and communicators to
meet today’s challenges in agricultural and life sciences. Sarah
recently met with ACT Department Director Doug Wagner to
discover more about the agriscience programs in the district.
“What I like most about interning in Manatee County is the
tremendous support that I have been offered by my cooperating
teacher and other teachers in the county," said Sarah. "My goals
during this internship are to extend my teaching curriculum,
improve my classroom management procedures, and develop my
own teaching style.”
Page 15
Ag Students Appreciate Quilting Lessons
W
hen PHS agriscience instructor and FFA
advisor Julie Tillet’s students were raising
animals for the county fair, they came up with a terrifically unique idea to help with sales. They invited Trish Litton
from the ACT Department to teach them how to make quilts.
Next, they each worked hard to make a handmade quilt to be
given to the buyer of their animals! The students were so appreciative of the time and skill that Trish lent to the class that they
created a quilt to present to Trish and invited her for a surprise
celebration. The quilt displays the FFA emblem in the center, a
PHS tiger paw print on
each of the four corners,
and the class year of 2012
–2013. Trish was touched
with their thoughtfulness,
and the quilt now hangs
on her office wall.
FFA students honored Trish Litton.
Remembering Florida
B
raden River High School agriscience and business
students sponsored a special event recently featuring
Rick Smith, the son of Patrick D. Smith, acclaimed author of A
Land Remembered. Students are reading this book, applying the
content to different cross content-area projects, and creating
digital movies of the story. The visit was sponsored by a generous
grant from the Manatee Farm Bureau.
A Land Remembered captures the pioneering spirit of Floridians and illustrates the colorful history of the state. The book
begins in 1858, when the MacIvey family abandoned 40 acres of
played-out Georgia clay and headed for the wilds of Florida,
where they settled near present-day Gainesville to begin farming.
Despite adversity, the MacIveys built a considerable kingdom
from ranching and orange groves over the
next half century.
Rick dressed as Tobias MacIvey, the patriarch of the novel’s fictional family. The
program was a multimedia sensory delight
incorporating video clips, photos, paintings,
music, and sound effects to transport the
audience to another place and time.
Rick Smith presented a multimedia history lesson from A
Land Remembered, his father’s book.
Farm City Week Essay Winners
S
ince 1955, the National Farm -City Council has
supported educational programming to build interdependence between rural and urban citizens, and the President of
the United Sates has annually proclaimed the week leading to and
including Thanksgiving Day as National Farm-City® Week.
Locally, agriscience students learned about Farm City Week and
participated in a county-wide essay contest.
Page 16
Deb Barry, Melanie Doty, Mr. Ralph
Garrison (FCW Chairman) and
Karen Ciemniecki.
Congratulations to
Haile Middle's Melanie
Doty and Braden River
High's Emily Champagne,
named this year's Farm
City Week Essay Winners. Each winner received a plaque and $75
check from the Farm City Week Committee. Other students placing in the contest included Garett Schultz (LRHS), 2nd Place;
Savanna Thomas (BRHS), 3rd Place; Christine King (NMS), 2nd
Place; and Julia A. Lawson (HMS), 2nd Place.
Buffalo Creek Middle Fundraiser
U
nder the direction of agriscience teacher and FFA
advisor Greg Egan, Buffalo Creek Middle’s FFA
recently held its first annual Animal Expo, fundraiser BBQ
dinner, and silent auction. Through generous contributions from
auction sponsors Mosaic, Peacocks Meats, Sam’s Club, C&K
Smokehouse, PJ’s Sandwich Shop, Gecko’s Restaurant, Slentz
Electric, Vineyards, Surf Shop, Lipman Farms, and Prince Fars, as
well as proceeds from the
dinner and expo, BCMS
FFA raised $3,200. The
funds will support animals
at t h e sc h o o l an d go
toward the purchase of an
animal transport trailer.
BCMS Animal Expo
Nolan FFA at Foundation of Dreams
N
olan Middle School FFA students—along with their
advisor Stefani Heidenthal—recently had an opportunity to spend a beautiful fall morning with campers from the
Foundation of Dreams.
The students spent most of the morning helping (and playing) at a fall festival with campers making bubbles, eating donuts
from a string, planting their own pumpkin seed, and learning
about what plants need to grow. The highlight of the day was an
egg toss, scavenger hunt, and mummy contest. Campers and
counselors had to create a mummy with bandages and a Nolan
FFA student, with a mummy fashion show and award for the best
mummy to follow.
A wonderful morning was had by campers, counselors, and
especially Nolan students
who had an opportunity
to participate in this funfilled morning.
Nolan Middle FFA students at the
Kiwanis Foundation of Dreams.
Adult, Career and Technical Education
Buffalo Creek Middle’s Fair Successes
B
uffalo Creek FFA advisor Greg Egan reports that his
students returned from the Manatee County Fair with
smiles, ribbons, and awards. “A great big thanks to parents and
supporters, and especially to the students who put in tireless
hours getting ready,” says Greg. Here’s his report:
 13 students showed hogs (two worked with the chapter hog)
 12 hogs were sold for a total of $11,876.50
 5 students showed steers, 5 were sold for a total of $22,616.50
 57 student entries were put in the fair ranging from plants, beef breeding/
steers, hogs, dairy, poultry, goats, horses, and rabbits.
 49 blue ribbons were awarded
 6 students had plant sales totaling $1,345.00
 Reserve Grand Champion hog
 Grand Champion & Reserve Champion plants
 2nd Place Showmanship rabbits
 1st Place Showmanship goats
 1st in Best Coordinated Costumes for dairy
 1st in Record Book competition
 Horseman of the Year, 13 year old Jordon Olson
 1st in Senior Showmanship in horses
 1st in Senior Western Pleasure
Nolan Middle’s Fair Successes
S
tefani Heidenthal, agriscience teacher and FFA advisor
at Nolan Middle School, reported that Nolan won 23
out of 30 places in Livestock Evaluations, and student Nolan
FFA Student Rebecca Elek took Overall in Evaluation. “FFA is
such a great opportunity for students to grow in so many ways,”
says Stefani, “and truly this is one of the best parts of my job as I
get to watch the confidence and leadership skills these students
are gaining in all of their projects.” Stefani also reported these
other outstanding results from Nolan FFA exhibitors:
 Swine—18 swine registered, 17 in, 16 Blue/1 Red, chapter swine/Blue,
3 called back for Showmanship
 Steer—3 registered, 3 in, 3 Blue, 2 called back for showmanship
 Heifer—1 registered and in, 1 Blue
 Dairy—10 in, 1 chapter
 Rabbit—6 in, 5 Blue/1 Red, 1 Best Small Breed
 Plants—6 Projects, 5 Blue/4 Red
 Goat—4 in, 4 Blue, One Grand Champion/Best in Class
Braden River’s Fair Successes
Lincoln Middle’s Fair Successes
D
L
incoln Middle School FFA advisor Kimberley Lough
reports that her students enjoyed wonderful experiences and success at the recent fair.
 Plants—10 exhibitors, total of 15 blue ribbons! Show sweepers: 1 Grand
Champion in Plant Showmanship, 1 Reserve Grand Champion in Plant
Show, 1 Grand Champion in Plant Show
 Dairy—2 animals, 4 exhibitors, 2 blue ribbons for Dairy Costume
Show, 2 blue ribbons for Dairy Show
 Swine—2 individuals, 1 chapter animal with 11 members who participated. 1 Grand champion in Swine Showmanship, 1 First in class and
Reserve in Division for Swine Show, 3 blue ribbon hogs overall.
 Rabbits—3 exhibitors, total of 4 blue, 1 red ribbon.
 Poultry—5 exhibitors with multiple birds, total of 12 blue ribbons, 4 red,
show sweeper for Poultry Showmanship! 1st, 2nd AND 3rd place in
Showmanship this year!
 Livestock Judging Competitions—1st and 4th place winners in Horse
Judging, 1st Place Winner in Beef Judging, 2nd Place Winner in Dairy
Judging.
School District of Manatee County
ebbie Barry, agriscience teacher and FFA advisor at
Braden River High School, is thrilled to report that
student Cassidy Delong is the recipient of the Randy Ballard
Memorial Award, a $1,000 scholarship. Student Sarah Adams was
selected Junior Miss Manatee County Fair, not to mention her
Grand Champion award in Beef Breeding. Successes include:
 Swine—Swine Showmanship Finalist, 1st Place Swine Showmanship,
1st in Class Swine
 Beef Breeding—Grand Champion, 1st in Class—Charolais Breed
Heifer, Grand Champion—Brahman Influence Heifer; 2 Showmanship
Finalists
 Dairy: Showmanship Finalist, 1st Place Dairy Costume Contest; 1st in
Class—Milker
 Beef—2 Showmanship Finalists
 Livestock Judging—three 1st Place, two 2nd Place, one 3rd Place, two
4th Place, three 5th Place.
 Horse—1st in Class
 Goat—Reserve Grand Champion—Nigerian Goat Breed, 1st in Class
Lamancha Goat Breed
 Rabbit—2nd Place Showmanship
 Poultry—2nd Place Showmanship
 Dog—1st in class
Page 17
More Help from SkillsUSA
M
BHS Students Win SkillsUSA Elections
B
HS SkillsUSA advisor MaryAnn Kauffman
announced that BHS students are holding
four of the seven elected Region 6 officer positions; 14 candidates ran for 7 offices. “Thank you
to Ms. McCann and Ms. Ladd for helping the students with their
candidate speeches,” said MaryAnn. “They were elected on the
merit of their speeches, and I am so proud of their efforts in
becoming leaders!” The new officers include: President Kristin
Staley; Secretary Arianna Priebe; Reporter Julia de Camargo; and
Parliamentarian Amber Wilson.
TI’s SkillsUSA students were busy during the holidays
making a difference in our community.
SkillsUSA cosmetology, facial and nails students collected
toiletries and $120 to spend on toiletries to send to US troops.
SkillsUSA and HOSA students from the dental assisting program
adopted 21 people for Christmas from the Verandas at Riverfront
independent and assisted living facility, delivering gifts and spending time together. Baking and Pastry Arts SkillsUSA students
prepared pastries for a Meals on Wheels Senior Shoebox benefit
dinner at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch. Adult education and
SkillsUSA students from Electricity, Drafting, Plumbing, Web
Design, Networking, and Cosmetology rang bells outside of the
Bayshore Publix to help raise money for the Salvation Army.
Mr. Heart Throb Fundraiser
SkillsUSA officers in order listed above, in text.
SkillsUSA Serves Brush with Kindness
F
ourteen MTI SkillsUSA students volunteered for
Habitat for Humanity helping a Citrus Meadows homeowner paint her home. The Brush for
Kindness project helps homeowners
with exterior repairs and maintenance
when they need help for financial and
often health related reasons. MTI Drafting students Brooke Gore and Daniel
Mitchell coordinated the student effort
with Ogden Clark, the volunteer coordinator for Manatee County’s Habitat for
Humanity.
SkillsUSA students offer help to a homeowner.
SkillsUSA Students Serve HOPE
C
omputer networking students volunteered at HOPE
Family Services to create a “toy store” for HOPE
clients to obtain gifts for their children. The project was a community service project for SkillsUSA. HOPE Family Services
helps victims and survivors of domestic violence. HOPE donor
relations coordinator Elsa Hanna expressed her gratitude, saying,
“The students were phenomenal, a real joy, and so
courteous. We couldn't have
done it without them—they
were a real Godsend!”
SkillsUSA member Stephanie French
at HOPE Family Services.
Page 18
M
anatee Technical Institute hosted
a Mr. Heart Throb Contest at the
new main campus. Students and instructors
competed in an all-male pageant to raise
money for student travel to the SkillsUSA
National Championships. A portion of the
funds raised will be donated to the American
Heart Association and the Blue Star Mothers.
16th Annual Chili Cook Off: Game On!
T
he annual MTI Chili Cook Off was back and better
than ever! This year, the theme was “No benches. No
half-times. No time-outs. Game On!” From Candyland to the
PGA tour, the MTI crew represented their favorite game for a
good cause, with all proceeds benefitting the United Way.
At the Cook-Off, 26 teams entered 28 chilis to compete for
the first place title. With a slightly unfair edge because of their
mad cooking skills, the culinary team won first place with their
“Sorry, We Don't Have a Clue Chili.” Networking students took
second with their “Striker Chili” and Electrical program students
took third with “White Chicken Chili.”
Guests and participants enjoyed a wildly successful Chili Cookoff
Adult, Career and Technical Education
The Most Original Booth award went to the Dental
students. The tug o’ war champions were HVAC for the men’s
team and the Patient Care Technician team (main campus) for the
women’s team. For the wild and wacky foot race battle, students
raced handcrafted, cardboard vehicles including qualifying heats,
two pit stops, and a trip down Victory Lane. Winning the race
were Pharmacy Tech, first place; Automotive Service, second
place; and Carpentry, third place. With action, great food, and live
entertainment from local sensation Gumbo Boogie, this event
was great fun for a great cause.
SkillsUSA members organized the event to raise funds for state
and national competitions. The race was held at the MTI East
Campus, and event sponsors included On a Shoestring, Suncoast
Striders Walking and Running Club, Publix, New Balance, S & R
Uniforms, and Road Runners Club of America.
Celebration Supports Farmworker Children
T
he MTI’s Farmworker Education and Services Program and the Adelante Team of Tropicana Products
Inc. presented the 5th Annual Celebration at the Head Start
school at the migrant camp at Falkner Farms in Myakka City.
Farm workers and families enjoyed a showcase of Hispanic
culture and received school supplies donated by the Adelante
Team. The purpose of the activity was also to raise money for the
Farmworker Emergency Fund, serving families in crisis situations.
To donate to the fund, contact the Farmworker Education and
Services Program at 941-751-7947 or 751-7900 ext. 2165.
First Responder’s Challenge
T
he MTI Alumni Association sponsored and held the
First Responder’s Challenge, where law enforcement,
fire, and EMT professionals competed in physical challenges
while showcasing their skills to the community. Proceeds will help
send students to HOSA and SkillsUSA competitions.
Law Enforcement Academy Graduation
Farmworker children and families enjoyed the celebration.
Inaugural Car Show and Food Truck Rally
T
o help raise funds for student scholarships, students
and faculty from the MTI Automotive Service Technology program recently teamed up with Napa Auto Parts, Snapon, and Suncoast Food Trucks to host the Inaugural MTI Car
Show & Food Truck Rally. The money raised at the event will
help send students to the SkillsUSA
National Championships.
With free admission, live music,
door prizes, and food from six different Suncoast Food Trucks, the event
was a smashing success. Car buffs
entered cars in categories such as
Antique/Classic, JDM, Muscle, Exotic,
Hot Rod, Show Favorite, European,
Best Engine, Best in Show, and more.
It was the first event held at the new
MTI campus before it opened its
Classic cars on display at the
MTI Car Show.
doors to students.
Law Enforcement 5K Run
M
TI’s Law Enforcement Academy held its fourth
annual 5K Veterans Day Challenge in honor of Veterans. Law enforcement basic recruits ran alongside participants.
School District of Manatee County
T
he MTI Law Enforcement Academy recently graduated
basic recruits at the Bayshore High School Auditorium.
Successful completion of the Law Enforcement Academy at MTI
makes one eligible to take the State Certified Examination for
Law Enforcement, the required test to become a Certified Law
Enforcement Officer in the State of Florida. Class leader George
M. Schrenk IV presented Academy Director Mike Rushing Sr.
with the class plaque. Guest speaker Manatee County Sheriff Brad
Steube addressed the class. Steube advised graduates to set goals,
continue their education, remember they are public servants, and
to have integrity at all times. He also encouraged them to put
God and family before self and career. Chief Rick Wells, Palmetto
Police Department, gave the invocation and benediction. MTI
Director Mary Cantrell,
PhD, gave the open ing
remarks.
Mike Rushing receives the class
plaque from class leader and
graduate George Schrenk.
Prohibition of Discrimination. Any person who believes he/she has been discriminated
against or has been harassed by an employee, student, or other third party who is subject
to control of the Manatee County School Board is encouraged to use the appropriate
grievance procedures set forth in policy. Complaints should be forwarded to Rebecca
Wells, Equity Coordinator; P.O. Box 9069, Bradenton, FL 34206; 941-708-8540 ext. 3035.
Page 19
CTSO and Student-Centered Events
T
he ACT Department is here to support you in any way we can to help you achieve a successful chapter. Attending
conferences with students is one of the most exciting and demanding aspects of being a CTSO advisor, while providing
student-centered educational opportunities that last a lifetime.
CECF/BPA www.cecf.org or www.bpa.org
March 17–20, 2013, State Leadership Conference,
Orlando
FPSA www.fpsainc.org
March 5–8, FPSA Annual State Conference,
Ocala
DECA www.deca.org
April 24–27, International Career Development
Conference, Anaheim
HOSA www.flhosa.org
April 4–8, State Leadership Conference,
Orlando
FBLA/PBL www.floridafbla-pbl.com
April 25–28, State Leadership Conference,
Orlando
SkillsUSA www.skillsusafl.org
April 28–30, State Skills and Leadership Conference,
Pensacola
FCCLA www.flfccla.org
March 2–5, 2013, State Leadership Conference,
Orlando
TSA www.floridatsa.com
March 13–16, State Conference and Competitions,
Orlando
FFA www.flaffa.org
June 10–14, State Leadership Conference,
Orlando
FBA www.futurebuildersofamerica.org
March 1–3, FBA Leadership Camp, Haines City
Adult, Career and Technical Education is the
branch of academics that links the world of
education to the world of work. The ACT
UPDATE delivers the department’s latest news,
events, and “shining stars”—accolades of
achievement in career and technical education.
Got news, events, or comments to include in
the next ACT UPDATE? Send your articles to:
School District of Manatee County
215 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 708-8770 x2227
fax (941) 708-8686
www.ManateeACT.com
Doug Wagner, Director ACT
[email protected]
or
Trish Litton, Secondary Vocational Specialist
[email protected]
Around the District
Watch for all of the publications keeping you informed
about what’s happening around the District in the Adult,
Career & Technical Education Department.
Tech Times
Career Pathways
Take Stock Times
Transition Times
ACT Update
Spotlight on Success.
ManateeACT.com