A l c o r n C a r e e r & T e c h n o l o g y C e n t e r 2 1 0 1 N o r m a n R o a d C o r i n t h , M S 3 8 8 3 4 P h o n e : ( 6 6 2 ) 2 8 6 - 7 7 2 7

R i c h a r d T u r n e r , D i r e c t o r R o d n e y H o p p e r , A s s i s t a n t D i r e c t o r

V o l u m e 3 , I s s u e 3 M a r c h 2 0 1 4

“How wonderful it is that nobody

need wait a single moment before starting to improve the

world.”

-Anne Frank

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of

value.”

-Albert Einstein

“Quality is not an act. It is a

habit .”

-Aristotle

Alcorn Career and Technology Times

Words of

Wisdom

CTE Month

The Alcorn County Board of Supervisors recently proclaimed February 1-28, 2014, as Career and Technical Education Month in Alcorn County, MS. Mr. Lowell Hinton, President of the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors and Mr. Bobby Marolt, Chancery Clerk, visited the Alcorn Career and Technology Center and signed the proclamation before a group of students representing each of the twelve CTE programs offered at the school. Students and faculty at the Alcorn Career and Technology Center joined others across the nation during the month of February to celebrate national Career and Technical Education (CTE) MonthTM. During the 2014 CTE Month, the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) encourages everyone to explore and learn the amazing accomplishments, achievements and contributions of career and technical education (CTE) professionals, students and alumni with the theme "Celebrate CTE Superheroes." CTE MonthTM provides CTE programs across the country an opportunity to demonstrate how CTE educates students to be college- and career- ready and prepares them for high-wage, high-demand career fields. Among the special activities scheduled at the Alcorn Career and Technology Center for CTE Month were tours for area ninth graders of the center’s CTE programs, tours of the CTE programs at Northeast Mississippi Community College for the center’s second year students, and a Nontraditional Student Day. “The activities planned over the month will illustrate the rigor and relevance CTE courses offer our students,” said Richard Turner, director of the school. “By partnering

with the business community, CTE programs are investing in students’ lives with the latest technology and skills that will prepare them to become successful employees as well as future leaders.” CTE is a major part of the solution to myriad national economic and workforce problems, such as high school dropout rates, a weakened economy, global competitiveness and massive layoffs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly one-third of the fastest growing occupations will require an associate’s degree or a postsecondary vocational certificate. At a time when job opportunity is so critical, CTE programs in every community are ensuring students are adequately equipped with the skills to successfully enter the workforce. Pictured at the signing of the Career and Technical Education Month Proclamation are: (seated) Bobby Marolt, Alcorn County Chancery Clerk and Clerk to the Alcorn Board of Supervisors; Lowell Hinton, President of the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors; Richard Turner, Director of the Alcorn Career and Technology Center. Standing (l-r) Amanda Dildy – Agriculture and Natural Resources; England Lemons – Polymer Science; Liz Buncik – Career Pathway Experience and Health Sciences; Kaitlyn Crum – Health Sciences; Chandler Downs – Construction; Trevor McAffee – Agriculture Power and Machinery; William Shadburn – Business Fundamentals/Marketing; Justin Bain – Automotive Service Technology; Conner Smith – Digital Media Technology; Matthew Turner – Teacher Academy; Dakota Chase – Manufacturing Fundamentals/Metal Fabrication; and Daniel Ozbirn – Information Technology.

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Rotary Student Students of the 3rd Quarter

Polymer Science Alec Wojdacz

Ag. & Natural Resources

Logan Smith

Business Fundamentals

John Kevin Smith

Information Technology

Mitchell Page

Teacher Academy Zaen Harbin

Metal Fabrication Jacob Bradley

Construction Will Odom

Health Sciences Madison Hales

Career Pathway Experience

Bronson Fugitt

Automotive Service Technology

Joan Longoria

Digital Media Tech. Troy Martin

Ag. Power & Machinery

Nick Crump

Chylenica Phelan was chosen as the Rotary Student of the Month for January at the Alcorn Career and Technology Center. Chylencia, the daughter of Patrice Morrison and Christopher Phelan, is a senior at Corinth High School and a second year student in the Health Sciences Program at ACTC. She was nominated for this honor by her Health Sciences Instructor, Mrs. Tila Johnson, and was recognized at the January 23, 2014, Corinth Rotary Club meeting. Chylencia shines academically in the classroom with a 3.8 GPA, as well as being involved in various school activities. She is a member of the National Honor Society; Family and Consumer Science Club, where she served as vice-president; the National Technical Honor Society, where she serves as reporter; Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA); Mu Alpha Theta; Science Club; and Robotics. Chylencia has been selected by her classmates to serve as class secretary/treasurer for both her junior and senior years. She also was elected Football Sweetheart for the 2013 CHS Homecoming Court. Her community activities include Junior Leadership Alcorn, volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club and participating in her church choir and dance team. She has participated in various community activities throughout her nine years in Girls Scouts and has achieved the Silver Award. Chylencia serves the Alcorn Career and Technology Center as a Career Delegate and assists with school tours and community events. Through her Health Sciences class, she has performed community service through assisting with kindergarten health fairs, county disaster drills, a pregnancy and infant loss awareness project, and the Alcorn County Fair. Chylencia’s future plans include attending Northeast Mississippi Community College and earning her associate’s degree to become a registered nurse. Later she plans to specialize in neonatal nursing.

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Ag. & Natural Resources

FFA Legislative Breakfast

FFA members and agriculture teachers from the Alcorn School District joined a crowd of nearly 700 for a 6:30 a.m. breakfast in the Trademart building on the Mississippi Fairgrounds to recognize the efforts of the sponsors and members of the state's legislative body. The MS FFA Sponsors and Legislative Breakfast is an annual event held during National FFA week to give FFA members throughout the state a chance to personally thank those whose efforts allow for the continued success of agriculture education in our high schools. The breakfast's keynote speaker, Dr. Johnny Allen, President of Northeast Mississippi Community College, challenged the sponsors and legislators to continue their efforts of support and the members to ignite their passion for education, agriculture, and leadership development.

After the breakfast, members of the Alcorn delegation traveled to

our state's capitol to learn about how our state government works. Mississippi Representatives Nick Bain, Bubba Carpenter, and Tracy Arnold, along with Mississippi Senator Rita Parks and Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, welcomed the groups.

Attendance Prize Winners

The winner of the grand attendance prize for the second nine weeks was Anastasia Dunbar of the Polymer Science program. She is shown, above, with her instructor, Stephanie Parsons, receiving two movie tickets donated by Malco. Sixty-five other students were also rewarded for having perfect attendance by receiving Subway sandwich cards provided by Jeff Robbins of Subway. Congratulations to all of these students!

Automotive Service Technology

Naomie Evans Ross Headrick Kevin Miller Trey White

Ag. & Natural

Resources Chad Clark Ashley Stutts

Business

Fundamentals/Marketing

Janayia McCorry Michelle Montgomery

Ravin Scott William Shadburn Spencer Strachan

Oliver Woods

Construction Jacob Brock Will Odom

Johnny Pittman Clayton Rushing

CPE

B.J. Chisler

Digital Media Technology

Spencer Chandler Patrick Burns

Katie Beth Corbin Al Graham

Steven Schermer John Simms

Conner Smith Marissa Stanley

Health Sciences Katie Aldridge Briana Baswell Emmitt Burke

Elizabeth Cradine Josh Davis Raven Friar Emili Gann

Madison Hales Chylencia Phelan

Amber Powers Nikki Robertson

Tristan Rorie Kelsie Shelton

Information Technology Luke Lyles

Joseph Scarantino

Polymer Science Anastasia Dunbar John-Stuart Jones

CaLynne Beth Moss Steven Schermer

Alec Wojdacz

Manufacturing Fundamentals/Metal

Fabrication Jacob Bradley Shawn Davis

Deontae Fernando David Frady Tony Kirk

Drake Smith Matt Watson Alec Wojdacz

Teacher Academy

Madison Briggs Audrey Crump Chris Fowler Nick Fowler

Lupe Guervara Ashley Hernandez Katie Beth Morton

Jessye Smith Malaika Stovall Hailey Troxell

Marquis Watson Tamra Williams

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The Real World Activity

Mrs. Mary Linda Moore of the MSU Extension Service recently conducted “The Real World” budgeting activity with our students. Each student was assigned an occupation, a salary, a marital status and children or no children. The students, then, had to travel to ten different stations and make purchases and pay bills. There were many choices that the students had to make to keep on budget. The students who made poor money choices either ran out of money or had to take on extra jobs to pay their bills. It was a great simulation and we appreciate Mrs. Moore for conducting this activity with our students. Assisting Mrs. Moore at the stations were ACTC staff members.

School Board Appreciation

The National Technical Honor Society Chapter at the Alcorn Career and Technology Center honored our school board members during School Board Recognition Week in February. School board members were presented with a card and a bag of mints at the February meeting as a token of our appreciation for all the hard work they do and all the support they give to our center. Pictured are NTHS officers with the appreciation gifts.

Nondiscrimination Notice

The following is the ACTC annual nondiscrimination notification:

The Alcorn Career and Technology Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its program or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The Alcorn Career and Technology Center offers classes in many career and technical education program areas under its open admissions policy. Specifically, the Alcorn Career and Technology Center offers admissions based on selective criteria in programs like Health Sciences and Teacher Academy through a separate application process that is non-discriminatory. For more information about the application process and particular course offerings, contact the Alcorn Career Center at (662) 286-7727. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Richard Turner, Vocational Director or Rodney Hopper, Assistant Vocational Director, 2101 Norman Road, Corinth, MS 38834, (662) 286-7727.

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Tours of NEMCC

Our second year, program completing students, attended “CTE Day” at Northeast Mississippi Community College on February 26. Students were guided on tours of the Health Sciences, Business, and Engineering Technology and Occupational Education Divisions. It was a good experience for our students to learn about some of the pathways to higher education. Many thanks go to NEMCC for the efforts made and the hospitality shown to our students. Shown ,below, are Carrie Cobb, NEMCC Counselor, and Patti Cooper, Health Sciences Division Head, speaking to one of our tour groups.

ACTC Recruitment Efforts

We serve great students at ACTC and we are searching for more to serve during the 2014-2015 school year! The Alcorn Career and Technology Center Staff has been involved in program recruitment efforts during the month of February. We have enjoyed ninth graders from Alcorn Central, Biggersville, Corinth and Kossuth High Schools visiting our campus and learning about the content and activities involved in each of our twelve programs. When students arrived on our campus, they were greeted and divided into small tour groups. Our Career Delegates served as tour guides and led small groups of ninth graders to each of the twelve programs as instructors explained program objectives. Each student was given a brochure to take home concerning our program offerings. They also completed an interest survey. Many thanks go to all the area principals, counselors, instructors, and bus drivers who assisted in making these tours possible. We look forward to serving the students we met.

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The 2013-2014 Career Delegates worked hard during our program tours, serving as tour guides. This is a group of students chosen by their instructors to represent their designated programs. Responsibilities of career delegates:

To serve as positive role models for the school

To inform other students of the opportunities available at the ACTC

To assist teachers with recruiting other students to attend classes at the ACTC

To serve as ambassadors for ACTC at school functions 2013-2014 career delegates are: Chylencis Phelan, Jordan Henderson, Kristen Jacobs, Diamond Warren, Hailey Troxell, Morgan White, Madiosn Briggs, Samantha Sharp, Shawn Davis, Abby Albanese, Sierra Childers, Zak Harbin, Mitchell Page, Brendie Eaton, Jacob Fisk and Angie Hall.

Career Delegates Automotive Service Tech.

Submitted by: Danny Mathis, Automotive Service Instructor

This nine weeks, students have been working on charging systems, alternator disassembly, parts identification, rebuilding alternators and alternator testing. Second year students have been working on various projects and have begun MS-CPAS review for April testing.

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FAFSA Assistance Representatives from the Financial Aid Department at Northeast Mississippi Community College will visit the ACTC Campus on April 1st to assist high school seniors with the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the form that must be filled out in order to apply for a Pell Grant. It is also a form that must be completed to apply for the NEMCC Tuition Guarantee Program. Representatives will be set up in Mrs. Daughtry’s computer lab from 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Students will need to bring the following items, if assistance is needed in completing the application: Copy of student’s and parents’ 2013 federal tax returns

Student’s and parents’ driver’s license and social Security numbers and birth dates

Student’s and parents’ W-2 Forms and other records of money earned

Current bank statements or an amount of student’s and parents’ cash, savings and checking accounts

Current business information

Stock, bond and other investment records or a total amount of investments not in retirement accounts

Date of student’s parents’ marriage, divorce or separation

Parents are invited to attend with their senior student.

If students and parents wish to fill out the information on their own, the application can be found at: www.fafsa.ed.gov

Please call Jennifer Koon at 286-7727 with any questions.

Submitted by: Jennifer Koon, CTE Counselor

Sports Marketing Conference

Submitted by: Diane Daughtry, Business Fundamentals/Marketing Instructor From a sell-out crowd of loyal fans waiting for the opening kickoff to a high-profile entertainer eager to take the stage for an encore presentation, sports and entertainment marketing provides a rush for those interested in these career areas. Several members of the Alcorn Career Center DECA recently had the opportunity to experience these careers first hand by attended the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference in Orlando, Florida, February 5 – 9. Students attending stayed at the Pop Century Resort in Disney World. The conference was held in Universal Studios and students participated in conference activities in Islands of Adventure Theme Park, Universal Studios Theme Park, and Walt Disney’s Epcot Theme Park. Students also attended a performance of the Blue Man Group. This conference was the perfect opportunity to learn from the professionals in sports and entertainment marketing. Some of the speakers included management of Universal Studios, NASCAR, Space Coast Sports, Florida Citrus Sports, and the Orlando Magic. One of the world’s premier locations for family entertainment and home to world-class professional and college sports, Orlando provided the perfect backdrop for this dynamic conference experience. Students had an insider’s perspective as the theme parks became the living classroom to complement the lessons from conference speakers. Participants also participated in an interactive case study designed to use information from the professional speakers and park experience.

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Metal Fabrication

Submitted by: Jesse Potts, Manufacturing Fundamentals/Metal Fabrication Instructor Metal Fabrication class built a dip station for Adrenaline Fitness. Students referred to a working blueprint to construct this piece of exercise equipment. Students had to figure out what length to cut each piece and then weld the pieces together per the blueprint. This station is used to work triceps, back, chest, arms, and abs. In the month of February, we were able to travel to Yellow Creek Port to tour CFI (Contract Fabricators Inc). Manager, Dusty Smith, gave us an excellent tour of the facilities and explained the processes that take place in the construction of the large structures. CFI builds super-sized products that have to be shipped by barge or other special transportation methods. They have the capabilities to bend, and shape thick metal, weld, cut and fabricate metal. Students were impressed in the size of the projects, the skill level of the welders, and the starting salaries of the employees.

Digital Media Technology

Submitted by: Steve Shaw, Digital Media Technology Instructor

This quarter, DMT students have completed typography projects in preparation for inserting these projects into web pages they are completing using Dreamweaver. They have begun to implement imaging and typography into creating web pages. The ACTC staff photo was implemented into creating a type banner collage that could possibly be used on the ACTC web page. The staff is pictured with the Initials ACTC consisting of images from various classes and labs. Below, Brody Clayton, Abbey Hollowell, and Troy Martin are shown constructing index pages for their web page module.

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Two other individuals who have spoken to Burgess’s classes on campus include Ms. Peggy Bundy and Mr. Van Carpenter. Ms. Bundy, Food Service coordinator for Alcorn County Schools, introduced the Contemporary Health students to the very involved process of planning healthy meals for our district. Ms. Bundy provided the students with a look inside the new healthier meals guidelines from the federal government, and she gave them the opportunity to provide feedback about the meal choices and eating experiences. Mr. Van Carpenter presented a very informative lesson to the groups on the issues related to dropping out of school. In his presentation, Mr. Carpenter discussed the possible outcomes that many face when they choose to end their high school careers prior to graduation. The students were presented with a video that was a strong message to them that dropping out can be devastating to their futures. Below, Mr. Van Carpenter speaks about Dropout Prevention. “I would recommend any of these individuals as guest speakers for your classes. My students enjoyed seeing and hearing a different perspective,” said Burgess. The classes at ACHS have many more opportunities this semester to build skill and gain knowledge. The end of the year is always a super busy time on the ACHS campus. The ECE students have participated in several opportunities this semester already and have many more planned as the year progresses. The following are various activities in which ECE students have taken part in. Below, are reading activities for ECE I.

Early Childhood Education

Submitted by: Katriena Burgess, ACHS Early Childhood Education Instructor Students at Alcorn Central High School have the opportunity to enroll in both Early Childhood Education and Services and Family and Consumer Science courses. While the Early Childhood Education courses are a career preparation course, other students can take advantage of Contemporary Health and Family Dynamics as early as the ninth grade. As the fall semester came to a close at ACHS, many students enrolled in these classes had many opportunities to participate in a variety of community service projects and enjoy presentations from several members of the Alcorn School District staff. “I realized that we have so many individuals in our district who have expertise in many areas that directly relate to the curriculums that we are teaching to our students. I have asked several of them to come to our classes to reinforce what we are learning,” said Katriena Burgess, instructor. Chrystee Hamilton, School Nurse, RN, attended the Early Childhood class to discuss the policies of our district in regard to immunizations and communicable diseases. She also took the opportunity to discuss other health related concerns with the students such as healthy eating and disease control practices that students can use to keep themselves healthy. In addition to Ms. Hamilton, Dr. Stephanie Clausel also came to discuss with the Early Childhood students the services available to children who need additional assistance due to a number of physical, emotional, mental and behavioral disabilities. The students were allowed to ask questions related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act discussed during class time. Dr. Clausel also discussed various career opportunities involving special needs children including gifted and special education that students should consider as they prepare to enter future courses and college or career preparation. Below, School Nurse, Chrystee Hamilton, is shown presenting on children’s health issues.

Continued...

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Health Sciences

Above, Contemporary Health Class students are shown creating health posters that will be hung in Glendale Elementary this semester. Below, is shown a community service activity which was conducted at Christmas to raise money for the Lighthouse Foundation. This project was done along with the ACHS FCA.

Right and below: Students are shown carrying on the tradition of creating a float and participating in the Farmington Christmas Parade.

Submitted by: Kaitlin Crum, Health Sciences Class Secretary

The Health Sciences students recently attended the Women’s Health Conference at the Crossroads Arena. They listened to medical professionals speak on various topics, however, the focus of the day was heart health.

Several Alcorn Career and Technical Center Health Sciences students competed in the Northern District HOSA Competition at Itawamba Community College on February 7th. ACTC is proud of their efforts and the way each represented ACTC and our district. Placing in events were:

Forensic Medicine--2nd place--Jasmine Lee and Kaitlin Crum

Medical Terminology--2nd place--Kristen Jacobs

HOSA Bowl--4th Place--Diamond Warren, Chylencia Phelan, Gracie Smith, and Katie Aldridge

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Polymer Science

Submitted by: Stephanie Parsons, Polymer Science Instructor Polymer Science students demonstrated their mad scientist lab skills to Alcorn County ninth graders from Biggersville , Corinth, Kossuth, and Alcorn Central during Spring tours of the Career Center. Students made Nylon Fibers, Polyester, Polyurethane Rigid Foam, Poly Vinyl Alcohol Slime, Latex Rubber Balls and demonstrated the structure and properties of polymers through several activities. Polymer Science students explained and answered visitors questions about the labs they were doing. Visiting students enjoyed watching our Polymer Science students at work, and Mrs. Parsons said, “It is impressive to see students work so confidently and knowledgeably in Polymer Science.”

Right: and below: Zack Fowler and John Shepherd demonstrate Cross-linking Poly Vinyl Alcohol to make slime for ACTC tour visitors.

Left: Latonya Holland studies and sketches the colorful birefringence found in Crystallites found in Polystyrene Injection Molded Products.

Below: Amber Williams, Kelsey Pitts and John Shepherd are making Nylon 6-10 using a Condensation Polymerization Reaction.

Lab time makes good tours for visitors!

Left: Savannah Wallace heats a milk jug with a heat gun to blow a High Density Polyethylene bubble, demonstrating the blown film manufacturing process used to make films like those used in plastic bags.

Right and below: John-Stuart Jones is shown making a very small amount of Polyester using a Condensation Polymerization Reaction.

Right: We are forming study groups as CPAS2 testing time approaches. Collaboration and discussion are key to developing the critical thinking skills needed for any exam!

Newsletter compiled by:

Jennifer Koon,

Alcorn CTE Counselor The Alcorn Career and Technology Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts

and other designated youth groups. Inquiries should be directed to the Alcorn School District

Superintendent at P.O. Box 1420, Corinth, MS 38835, (662) 286-5591.

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Ag Students not only had opportunities to grow through class, shop, and greenhouse activities but expanded their leadership skill through the FFA. Four students and two teachers from the ACTC along with four other Ag Teachers and twenty five other FFA Member attended a breakfast with Legislators at the Capitol. Awareness of current education issues, legislative processes and a tour of the Capitol were all a part of this great trip. What a Great Leadership Opportunity! We are so looking forward to next year. FFA members also studied, practiced and participated in skills contests like tractor driving, welding and tool I D. Congratulations to our competitors. Thanks also to our supporters in the community & Industry for making these activities possible through donations and product purchases like fruit & ferns.

ACTC Agriculture Classes

Submitted by: Dennis Deaton, Ag. Power & Machinery Instructor What an Effort! Wow! The third quarter is over and what an effort! The last two plus months have brought much success. Student success is evident throughout the Ag Power & Ag Natural Resources programs. The semester started wide open with the construction of a 6’x12’ sportsman/utility trailer completed in record time. The trailer project required a wide variety of knowledge and skill. Skills and knowledge in planning, problem solving, organization, metal cutting, welding, fabrication and finishing were at the top of the list. Students them moved on to the development of the shop by building a metal storage rack, a new welding table, and painting throughout the shop. Our tools and materials have also been organized throughout. Ag & Natural Resources students have been busy repotting, fertilizing and caring for our ferns. All Ag Students have gained much from the imbedded knowledge in the many hands on projects completed in the program. These experiences have helped students focus on many curriculum areas such as Safety, Plant Science, Plant Production, SMAW Welding, MIG Welding, Plasma Arc Cutting, Oxy-Acetylene cutting, painting and equipment operation. Students also had a chance to showcase there skills and projects for their freshman peers during tours from all the area schools.

Heading into the last quarter of the year we will encounter many more opportunities to learn. There is still program testing, more curriculum studies, more projects and more competition. So much Success! What an Effort!