Ethan Holt is the West-MEC CTE Student of the Month.

Holt, a senior at Buckeye Union High School, serves as chapter president of FFA, formally known as, Future Farmers of America. Joining the chapter as a freshman gave Holt the opportunity to serve various roles within the organization. In addition to his FFA responsibilities, Holt devotes time to studying agriculture, poultry science and veterinary medicine. He was introduced to these specialized professions in his Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses at Buckeye Union High School.

“I think all students should participate in CTE and its leadership organizations because you have the chance to learn and do things you’d never guess you were interested in doing. I’m proud to represent CTE and FFA.” Holt explained.

Gigi Aja, career counselor at BUHS, nominated Holt for the award. Aja credited Holt’s quiet strength and diligent nature as his most valuable leadership traits.

“Ethan is without a doubt the person everyone counts on to get the job done,” Aja explained. “He is inspiring and a true role model for younger FFA members.”

After graduation, Holt will be attending the University of Arkansas to study poultry science. His plan is to advance to Texas A&M University to become a veterinarian.

Congratulations to Ethan!!

Local Valley businesses including: Phoenix International Raceway, The Orcutt Winslow Partnership and The Sundt Companies donated funds to support the West-MEC Career and Technical Education Student of the Month. Monthly winners receive an award plaque and a $50 gift card to Best Buy.

Over 1,200 FFA members from around Arizona competed in the Spring Career Development Event day last Friday. The event was held on the University of Arizona campus. 38 students from Buckeye competed in 8 different contests; the results are listed below.

Both State Champion teams listed below will represent Arizona in Indianapolis at the National Convention this October. Congratulations to the students on their accomplishments; many of them have practiced 8+ weeks for their contest.

Dairy Management 7th place team
Sam Balland – 5th place high individual
Desiree Dindal
Leah Edwards – 14th place high individual
Jacob Walton
Entomology 9th place Team
Amelia Jordan
Thomas Langendorf
Francisco Perez

Job Interview
Rachel Corbin – State Champion!!
Mariah Kerr – 11th high individual

Livestock Management – State Champion Team!!
Karli Eaves – 1st high individual
Sarah Edwards – 7th high individual
Lacy Hunt – 2nd high individual
Kelli Rovey – 5th high individual

Meats Evaluation – 7th high team
Adrian Avila
Shelby Jones
Kayla Kerr
Cassie Phillips

Range Management – 7th place Team
Curtis Choitz – 7th place high individual
Kori King
Edward Langendorf

Soil Evaluation – 3rd high team
Amber Aram – 5th high individual
Alanna Cavitt
Paige Dunlap – 9th high individual
Kali McCloud

Wildlife – 10th place Team
Kiersten Bauer
Ethan Holt – 4th place high individual
Macy Holt
Melissa Miles

North Canyon High School Child Development and Fashion Design classes hand made infant hats and blankets to donate for in-patient newborns at St. Joseph’s Hospital. They will also donate to Maggie’s Place, a home for expectant mothers living on the streets and to the Andre House, serving the homeless in Phoenix.

FACS Teacher and Preschool Director, Erin Dyer said, “the project simply originated by my desire to teach the students a new skill that would allow us to give back to the community. The students are so excited about this project. They are very protective of the hats they are making! It’s been a very rewarding experience”.

Check out the students in action below:

Job shadowing also helps students understand how classroom learning can be applied in the real world. Sixteen West-MEC Medium Heavy Diesel Technology students got a first-hand look at the working environment of a full-service diesel repair company through the West-MEC diesel job shadow program.

Eric Denman of Desert Edge High School and Albert Sornia of Buckeye Union High School, both juniors in the West-MEC diesel program, arrived at Valley Truck and Trailer ready to shadow Jeff Cook the Valley Truck and Trailer program manager.

“I shadowed workers in different departments and learned how all departments work together to get the job done.” said Sornia. “Not only did they work hard, it looked like they were having fun working. It was the type of site I could see myself working at after finishing school.”

Preliminary activities included a resume review, written application and personal interview advice and extended to familiarizing the students with workflow, repair orders and parts department functions at Valley Truck and Trailer.

“I can’t say enough about the positive attitudes, the clean, neat appearance and the excellent manners of these students. These young gentlemen were indeed a pleasure to work with and represented the West-MEC program in an exemplary manner,” remarked Cook.

Valley Truck and Trailer along with, Sanderson Ford, Inland Kenworth and Sterling, Freightliner, Western Star of Arizona hosted West-MEC job shadow students for two days. Day one, students shadowed service advisors learning day-to-day business operations. Day two, they hit the repair facilities to follow diesel technicians on maintenance and repair jobs.

“You really have to pay attention in diesel class because there are a lot of advanced systems to learn.  When I did my job shadow, I felt like all my studying paid off because I actually got to put my training to work. It made me look forward to working as a certified technician,”  explained Denman.

West-MEC’s Diesel program is a two-year program teaching students the maintenance and repair of diesel engines, brakes, suspension and steering, and electrical components and hydraulics. Upon completion of the program, students may take the ASE Certification exam for ‘Automotive Service Excellence’ preparing them for careers with a variety of job titles: Diesel Technician, Diesel Engine Specialist, Parts Management, Service Manager, Equipment/Engine Sales.

Graphic design instructor Michael Bailey nominated sophomore Kinsey Persson for the CTE Student of the Month award because of her dedication to the Fundamentals of Graphic Communication course at Tonopah Valley High School.

“Kinsey is a huge asset in my class because of her interest and passion in graphic design,” said Bailey. “She is very creative and focused on doing well in this program and in the future.”

In addition to her classroom duties, Persson actively contributes to the career and technical student organization, SkillsUSA. SkillsUSA is a leadership organization preparing students for careers in trades, skill and service occupations. Persson presided over the Tonopah Valley chapter’s registration committee for the SkillsUSA Region 5 championship  held in early March.

Persson was presented with an award plaque and a $50 Best Buy gift card from West-MEC. 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 program.

Graphic Communications Instructor Michael Bailey and Student of the Month Kinsey Persson