Eastern Center for Arts and Technology Newsletter

October 2014

In This Issue

Student Success - Student of the Month

Alumni Spotlight - Teresa Lesenko

EASTERN Events

Inside EASTERN

Dates to Remember

Facts about CTE

Mission Statement

The mission of EASTERN, a leader in technology and in developing innovative, responsive programs, is to equip all students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to select, enter and succeed in a career, and to anticipate and adapt to change by providing high-quality technical instruction and specialized services.

- Thomas Allen,
Administrative Director

- Joseph Greb,
Assistant Director

- Allison Larson,
CTE Supervisor

- Amy Shields,
Editor

Student Success - September Student of the Month

Robin Gabage is the September 2014 Student of the Month at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) in Willow Grove. She is in EASTERN's Commercial Art program and a senior at Jenkintown High School. The Student of the Month Award is sponsored by EASTERN's faculty, Joint Committee and the Willow Grove Rotary Club to highlight student excellence, success and service. Ten students each year are selected for this honor.

At EASTERN, Robin maintains an A average in her Commercial Art program. She is actively involved in SkillsUSA, and was Commercial Art Class Secretary for the 2013 - 2014 school year. She was part of the team that received the silver medal for Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the District competition, and the gold medal for the Chapter Display at the Pennsylvania State competition. With the gold medal win at the state competition, her team moved on to the SkillsUSA National Competitions held June 23 - 27 in Kansas City, Missouri, where they placed third. SkillsUSA is a national student organization promoting good citizenship, student leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and recognizes student achievement and excellence. She was chosen by her instructors to attend the Career and Technology Student Organization Leadership Conference in November 2013. At EASTERN's Awards Night in May 2014, Robin was awarded the Director's Award for juniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills, the Straight A Award, and Perfect Attendance.

At Jenkintown High School, she is on the Tennis team, and is on the Yearbook and Prom committees. Since 2011 she has held a summer position at Big Springs Scout Reservation in East Stroudsburg in their office, retail store, and as a lifeguard.

"Robin is motivated and extremely talented," said Nicole Mohrey, EASTERN's Commercial Art Instructor. "She has a wide scope of interests and abilities. I am looking forward to seeing all that she accomplishes this year."

After graduation from Jenkintown High School and EASTERN, Robin plans to pursue a degree in Entertainment Business and Photography at Kutztown University or East Stroudsburg University. Ultimately, she would like to be a Manager/Agent for artists, actors, or performers.

Alumni Spotlight - Teresa Lesenko

Teresa Lesenko, a 2011 EASTERN Commercial Art and Archbishop Wood graduate, is currently in her final semester of completing a Bachelor of Arts in Photography at Curtin University of Western Australia, an intense three-year program. She is also employed as a photographer at a well-known, high-end professional studio franchise in Perth, Western Australia, called Viva! Life Photography.

As a sophomore in high school a friend of Teresa's told her how much she loved Commercial Art at EASTERN and showed Teresa the portfolio she had built there. This prompted Teresa to visit EASTERN's Open House to learn more.

At Curtin University of Western Australia, Teresa is receiving extensive training in multiple areas of photography. One of her core units is specifically based on conceptual and technical areas of photography. Each semester she increases her skill-set in multiple areas such as studio, landscape, commercial, product, portraiture, and architecture. The other core unit focuses on building her portfolio and ensuring that she professionally showcases her work, through which she has published her own book and magazine spread. Each semester she chooses to take an elective that will strengthen her employability, such as Graphic Design, and a required internship in order to gain work experience.

"Working in the field before graduating is a major accomplishment and it all started with EASTERN providing me with the skills to get me to where I am today," said Teresa. "While attending EASTERN, my Photography Instructor, Mr. Steinbacher, assisted me in obtaining a job with a wedding photographer. It is that very experience, along with my past studies, that resulted in me receiving my current job position over other applicants. Commercial Art at EASTERN is the start to opening doors to your future. Even if you are not certain of what you want to do now, this program will set you up for numerous professional careers. The skills you learn here are guaranteed to not only prepare you for your career, but will put you ahead of your competition in the industry."

After Teresa graduates from college, she plans to attain permanent residency in Australia. She hopes to work full time at Viva! Life Photography and travel throughout Australia capturing its beauty. In the next few years her goal is to build up the knowledge and experience to personally operate one of the ten Viva! Life Photography studios.

EASTERN Events - Strategic Planning Retreat

EASTERN is always working to improve upon and enhance our curriculum, goals, community involvement, and opportunities for our students.

On October 30, 2014, a Strategic Planning Retreat will be held at EASTERN. Approximately 40 stakeholders will participate in this consultant-led review of the findings from the Current Reality study that took place during the 2013 - 2014 school year. The goal for the retreat is to develop 3 - 4 Strategic Goals for the upcoming six years.

Thank you to all staff members, instructors, and community and business partners who have assisted us in this process.

Inside EASTERN - Collection to Support Welders in Haiti

EASTERN Welding Technology/Hatboro-Horsham High School seniors, Matthew McPhillips and Matthew Donnelly, are holding a collection at EASTERN from October 1 - 31, 2014 for used, or even broken, welding eye protection, as well as baseball hats and sunglasses, for welders in Haiti. Outside donations can be dropped off at EASTERN's entrance throughout the month of October.

This past summer, McPhillips and Donnelly accompanied McPhillips' father to Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, with Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH), Pennsylvania chapter. VOSH is an organization that, during short-term mission trips, provides eye exams, eyeglasses, and eye surgery to those in need in developing nations at no cost.

While in Haiti, McPhillips and Donnelly met some local welders. They found that most are so financially disadvantaged that they do not have any type of eye protection. A common issue with welders in Haiti is flash burn caused by the welding flame that can damage vision permanently and send many good welders in Haiti back into poverty. There are no welding unions in Haiti.

McPhillips and Donnelly understand first-hand the need for protective eyewear in their field of choice, and felt the need to help. While in Haiti they sought out a hospital that has agreed to oversee the distribution of the eye protection to the welders - H�pital Sacr� Coeur, the largest private hospital in the North of Haiti.

From left to right: Matthew Donnelly, and Matthew McPhillips

	Dates to Remember
October 2, 2014 - Foundation Meal Fundraiser/Happy Hour at Jerzee's; 5 p.m. October 7, 2014 - Administrative Advisory Committee Meeting; 9:30 a.m. October 8, 2014 - Joint Operating Committee Meeting; 8 p.m. October 23, 2014 - Principals' Advisory Committee Meeting; 12:30 p.m. March 1, 2015 - Open House; 1 - 3:30 p.m.

	Facts About Career and Technical Education
According to the Association for Career and Technical Education, the skilled trades are the hardest jobs to fill in the United States, with recent data citing 726,000 jobs open in the trade, transportation and utilities sector and 256,000 jobs open in manufacturing.

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Eastern Center for Arts and Technology 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. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Equity Coordinator, 3075 Terwood Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090. 215-784-4800.