Eastern Center for Arts and Technology Newsletter

August 2015

In This Issue

Student Success - SkillsUSA National Competition

Alumni Spotlight - Kelly Knorr

EASTERN Events

Inside EASTERN

Facts about CTE

Dates to Remember

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,
Executive Director

- Joseph Greb,
Assistant Director

- Allison Larson,
CTE Supervisor

- Amy Shields,
Editor

-Katelyn Smink,

Summer Intern

Student Success - Students Compete in SkillsUSA National Competition

Two students from Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) in Willow Grove competed in their skill areas or with their leadership proficiency at the SkillsUSA National Competitions held June 22 - 26 in Louisville, Kentucky. EASTERN student participants took fifth place for Criminal Justice, and ninth place for Pin Design. SkillsUSA is a national student leadership organization that encourages students to be productive individuals in our democratic society, work to their potential, become responsible, and be proud of their accomplishments and supportive of their community. National Competition Winners from EASTERN include:

Fifth Place for Criminal Justice - Joseph Flint, a 2015 graduate of EASTERN's Protective Services program/Abington High School. This contest utilizes both written examination and practical exercises to evaluate the students' abilities and knowledge of the field. The students are scored on their knowledge and application of U.S. Constitutional Law, written and verbal communications skills, and their ability to handle an entry-level law enforcement position.

Ninth Place for Pin Design - Nicole Hetzel, a 2015 EASTERN Commercial Art/Upper Moreland High School graduate. For this competition, students present their state-winning pin along with their artwork and participate in an oral presentation regarding all aspects of their creation of the design. The student competitors explain how the pin represents the state, its unique qualities and why another SkillsUSA student or adult member would want to wear it.

Katya Ivanovski, EASTERN Culinary Arts/Upper Dublin High School upcoming senior, was also present at the National Competition and elected a state officer. EASTERN is proud to announce that Katya is the 2015 - 2016 PA State Secretary.

Photo: Joseph Flint, 2015 Protective Service graduate

Alumni Spotlight - Kelly Knorr

Kelly Knorr is a 2003 Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) Culinary Arts/Upper Moreland High School alumna. She started teaching the EASTERN Summer Fun program, Pastry Boss, in 2004. Ms. Knorr teaches Culinary Arts at Bucks County Technical High School during the school year.

During the three-week Summer Fun program, Pastry Boss students were assigned various projects. The students baked cookies for their parents, made funnel cakes, and participated in Cupcake Wars. The students made apple pies for Parent's Day, held July 17, 2015.

"My favorite project was Cupcake Wars because it was based on the TV show," said Kelly. "I think the students enjoyed it because it was a friendly competition and they were able to express their creativity." Kelly divided her class into five teams. Each team was given the same icing recipes and had to create three batches of cupcakes. The cupcakes were being judged on creativity and taste. The students learned how to work well with others and compromise.

After graduation from EASTERN, Kelly attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, where she obtained her Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry and her Bachelor Degree in Food Service Management.

"Baking is my passion. It is an art form." When Kelly was asked if she enjoys teaching, her face lit up. She said, "Of course. The best part of teaching is seeing the students succeed. It all starts with a simple recipe. After that, the students learn to make their own recipes. From then on, they have not only learned how to cook, but how to be their own person."

EASTERN Events - Summer Fun Parents Day

EASTERN's Summer Fun program concluded on July 17, 2015. EASTERN welcomed parents and family members from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Students from Junior Chef and Pastry Boss made cookies for parents and family members. Looking Good students styled their parents hair and painted their nails. All Summer Fun programs involved the parents in the last day of events. Once families were finished, they traveled to other classrooms.

Parents day is a great opportunity for the middle school students to show off their new skills. Some of the students learned how to style hair, paint nails, cook various foods, bake pastries, become CPR certified, repair car body damage, photograph portraits, take fingerprints, create video games, construct a small wall, install plumbing, work with paint, etc.

The three-week program is a preview of what the courses have to offer during the year. Based on student and parent surveys, many students will return next year to participate in the 2016 Summer Fun program and other students asked for more information about the programs offered to high school students. If parents had any questions, pamphlets were being distributed at the information desk and administrators were in the hallways to answer questions.

Inside EASTERN - EASTERN's New Intern, Katelyn Smink

Katelyn Smink, of Hatfield, is interning at EASTERN. She is assisting the current Organizational Advancement Director, Amy Shields, from July through August 2015. Her responsibilities will include EASTERN's recruitment campaign, student mailings, news releases, social media and website updates, and facility tours.

Katelyn graduated from North Penn High School in 2012. She is currently a senior at Pennsylvania State University pursuing a Marketing degree. Katelyn transitioned from Penn State Abington to Penn State's main campus.

When she first arrived at Penn State's main campus, she was overwhelmed. It was difficult making new friends. Katelyn, along with some other Penn State transfer students, decided to conduct a focus group to see if other students were facing similar issues. She found out that many change-of-campus students were struggling, not academically, but socially. So, she decided to create a new student organization for change-of-campus students called Campus Connect. She has been the President since October 2014 and will continue to run through spring 2016.

Katelyn has received a few awards for her outstanding 3.99 GPA including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award (2015) and President's Freshman Award (Fall 2012). This year, she was initiated into three honor societies including Beta Gamma Sigma (2014), Golden Key International Honor Society (2014), and Phi Kappa Phi (2014). She has been on the Dean's list since fall 2012. She hopes to pursue a career in retail marketing or the pharmaceutical industry. After that, she plans on making philanthropy a big part of her life.

Katelyn said, "I am very thankful for this opportunity. Ms. Shields is a great mentor and she will further my knowledge in the marketing field."

Katelyn can be reached at 215-784-4806 or via email at SummerAide@eastech.org.

	Facts About Career and Technical Education
The skilled trades are the hardest jobs to fill in the United States, with recent data citing 806,000 jobs open in the trade, transportation and utilities sector and 293,000 jobs open in manufacturing.-U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

	Dates to Remember
- August 12, 2015 - Joint Operating Committee Meeting; 8:00 p.m. - August 24, 2015 - EASTERN Foundation Meeting; 4:30 p.m. - August 27, 2015 - Practical Nursing Graduation; 7:00 p.m.

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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.