Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation awarded the Peoria High School SkillsUSA Chapter with a $10,000 education grant to support future community service projects. Peoria SkillsUSA and Building Trades instructor, Oscar Olivas and his students proudly accepted a $10,000 check for new tools and equipment.
The May CTE Student of the Month is Tania Chiarez. Tania is a DECA/marketing student at Moon Valley High School.
Moon Valley High School marketing instructor and DECA sponsor, Travis Kenyon nominated Tania for the honor.
“Tania is a perfect candidate for this award, she works constantly to make sure our marketing program functions efficiently. She takes a vital role in the day-to-day operations of our school store,” said Mr. Kenyon. “In my ten years as a DECA sponsor, I have never had a finer student.”
Tania is a junior, she maintains a 4.0 grade-point average and is currently ranked at the top of her class. She is knowledgeable in the principles of retail and business promotion. In early May, Tania earned the opportunity to attend the DECA International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California.
“Taking marketing CTE courses and participating in DECA has been a really great experience for me. I’ll be able to use the skills I learned here as I work towards a career in international business,” Tania said proudly.
In the photos below, Tania poses with her award. Also pictured in the photos, Tania with Moon Valley Principal, Dr. Michael Fowler, Assistant Principal Mr. Eddie Lopez and Marketing Instructor Travis Kenyon.
May CTE Student of the Month
Dr. Fowler, Tania Chiarez, Mr. Kenyon
Mr. Lopez, Tania Chiarez, Mr. Kenyon
Liberty High School teachers, administrators and Peoria Unified governing board members joined guests from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education Center at Science Foundation Arizona (STEMAz) and Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold to watch a surprise presentation. At the presentation, Dr. Torbert was awarded the first-ever STEMAz Innovation Hero award.
The STEMAz Innovation Hero award given to Dr. Torbert is awarded to students and teachers who make significant advances in STEM education in Arizona schools. Dr. Torbert was honored with a plaque and a $500 gift certificate for supplies.
Dr. Torbert created an innovative CTE pre-engineering program designed to challenge and motivate students. The CTE program is now offered to students at all Peoria Unified high schools providing them the opportunity to earn dual high school and college credits while participating in the courses.
Peoria Unified Administrator for Career and Technical Education and former West-MEC board member, Dr. John Mulcahy nominated Dr. Torbert for the STEMAz Innovation Hero award.
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Fox 10 special projects producer and video crew spent an afternoon getting to know about the program that’s giving so many West-MEC students an opportunity to become skilled in a career they’re passionate about. The news segment featuring the Cutting Edge Style Academy aired during Fox 10’s 9pm newscast during the segment called, ‘Only on Fox.’ The story gives viewers an up-close look at a day at the school from the perspectives of its students, instructors and clients.
The Cutting Edge Style Academy is located at 7565 W. Peoria Ave. is a partnership with West-MEC and the Maricopa Skill Center. Students learn the latest techniques in hair, skin and nails. This interactive training prepares students to become licensed cosmetologists.
Ashley Mizioch, a senior at Boulder Creek High School in the Deer Valley Unified School District was selected as the April West-MEC CTE student of the month.
Early Childhood Education instructor at Boulder Creek High School, Jessica Brubaker nominated Ashley Mizioch for the award.
“Ashley continues to impress me with her innovative lessons planned for our on-campus preschool,” said Brubaker. “Her implementation of the Arizona Early Learning Standards is undoubtedly preparing our little ones as they make their way to kindergarten classrooms next fall.”
Mizioch is enrolled in Advanced Child Development, a CTE course at Boulder Creek. In this CTE course, high school students examine developmental foundations of preschoolers. Students participate in supervising and caring for young children as well as planning and executing educational lesson plans for the preschool.
As a junior, Mizioch enrolled in the introductory child development and enjoyed it so much she registered for the advanced class her senior year.
“In this class I’ve learned how to create teaching lessons, I based them off of activities that I’m interested in and then, I tested them out with my younger brothers at home before presenting them in class,” said Mizioch.
The West-MEC CTE Student of the Month Program will recognize one more student this academic school year and resume in the fall. The program encourages CTE instructors to nominate a student that stands out in their CTE course. CTE courses prepare students to embark on a career in a variety of industries. Nominations submitted by CTE teachers consider a student’s academics attitude, class attendance, leadership, and respect towards peers and teachers.
Local Valley businesses including: Phoenix International Raceway, The Orcutt Winslow Partnership and The Sundt Companies donated funds to support the West-MEC CTE Student of the Month. Monthly winners receive an award plaque and a $50 gift card to Best Buy.