Eastern Center for Arts and Technology Newsletter
   October 2015
In This Issue
Student Success - Student of the Month
Alumni Spotlight - Nicole McDonnell
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
Student Success - September Student of the Month
Katya Ivanovski is the September 2015 Student of the Month at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) in Willow Grove. She is in EASTERN's Culinary Arts program and a senior at Upper Dublin 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.
 
As a sophomore at Upper Dublin High School, Katya had friends who attended EASTERN for Culinary Arts and Commercial Art, so she decided to visit the school.  During her visit, she found that Culinary Arts would be a good fit for her to learn more about her passion - which was cooking and baking.
 
At EASTERN, Katya has been very involved in SkillsUSA, EASTERN's student leadership organization.  SkillsUSA is a national organization that promotes good citizenship, student leadership, professionalism, and teamwork. She has been selected as a SkillsUSA Pennsylvania State Officer, holding the position of Secretary for the 2015 - 2016 school year. As a junior, Katya received the Straight A Award, the Culinary Alumni Tools of the Trade Award, and the Director's Award at EASTERN's Awards Night in May 2015. She has dedicated her time and culinary talents to many EASTERN functions such as the Kiwanis Holiday Pancake Breakfast, Open House, and Parents Night.
 
Outside of EASTERN, Katya is involved in many community activities.  She dedicated her time and efforts to many charity events that include feeding the homeless in Philadelphia, an SPCA Supply Drive that collects food and supplies for local animal shelters, and fundraising for an organization called Project 143, an organization that provides host families for orphaned children for 4-8 weeks over the summer or winter holidays.  Katya has also been an active member of the 4-H Club. 4-H is the nation's largest positive youth development and youth mentoring organization.  4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System & USDA.  It is through her involvement with the 4-H Club that she learned to raise rabbits.
 
After graduation from Upper Dublin High School and EASTERN, Katya plans to attend Johnson & Wales University for Hotel and Restaurant Management.  Her goal is to open a bakery in the Chestnut Hill area.
Alumni Spotlight - Nicole McDonnell
Nicole McDonnell joined EASTERN as the new Culinary Arts Aide in September 2015. She is a 2007 graduate of EASTERN's Culinary Arts program and Upper Moreland High School. McDonnell found out about this position through her role on the Culinary Arts Occupational Advisory Committee at EASTERN and she plays an active role in volunteering for events associated with the school. Nicole brings a great deal of culinary experience to EASTERN, including an internship in Ireland, a managerial position at the Cheesecake Factory, and demonstrations at the Reading Terminal Market.
 
She became interested in the culinary field at a young age. She and her aunt would prepare holiday meals for over 30 people. Nicole said, "Through those experiences, I learned the important role that food can play in people's lives. Preparing food can create memories and from that moment on I created my own style of making people happy through food." She decided to attend EASTERN to learn the basic skills needed to run her own kitchen. After graduation, she studied abroad in Ireland. Throughout her internship, she was able to showcase the skills she received at EASTERN through preparation, sauce making, and menu development. To this day, she still has two signature dishes on the menu at the Pantry Café in Nenagh, Ireland. 
 
As EASTERN's new Culinary Arts Aide, Nicole said, "I am excited to work with SkillsUSA and share my experiences through technique classes and recipe development."
 
In the future, she plans to mentor students and teach them to pursue their passion. Her mentor, Chef Grainne, influenced her in many ways, and she attributes a lot of her success to her. She hopes to influence students the way her mentor influenced her.
 
If she could offer some advice for incoming Culinary Arts students, she would tell them to, "take as many opportunities as you can get and do not be afraid to take chances. You are your greatest resource when you enter the culinary world." 
EASTERN Events - Foundation Fundraisers
The EASTERN Foundation has scheduled its annual Foundation Fundraiser, featuring the Murder Mystery, the Golden Girls, for Friday, November 6, 2015, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at EASTERN's Terwood Road campus. Please mark your calendar to attend this worthwhile event. Tickets are $45 per person or $80 per couple.
 
Silent auctions and a Murder Mystery will be the main events, along with a variety of appetizers and desserts prepared and served by EASTERN's Culinary Arts students. The Murder Mystery will be performed by professional actors from Without a Cue Productions.  Everyone's favorite ladies from the '80s are throwing a party, and you're invited. Sophia, Blanche, Rose and Dorothy have worked long and hard to throw the perfect celebration, but will they still be celebrating when they discover that their party guest, Arthur, has not only been two-timing them, but three-timing them? The women uncover a deadly love triangle, and they are not at all pleased. As Sophia attempts to lighten the mood with a song, someone's attempting to lighten the mood with a BANG. Who could the killer be? You're invited to cast your vote. Perhaps YOU can solve this Golden Girl Mystery!
 
Items for auction include Bed and Breakfast and shore get-aways, sporting event tickets, autographed memorabilia, salon and restaurant gift certificates, and services performed by EASTERN's career and technical programs such as car detailing.
 
To reserve your tickets, please send your check or money order made payable to the "EASTERN Foundation" to EASTERN at 3075 Terwood Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090. If you cannot attend the auction, but would like to help, contributions to the Foundation are always welcome.

The EASTERN Foundation exists to encourage students in the pursuit of career ambitions that were developed and strengthened by attending EASTERN.  The Foundation does this by rewarding student success and achievement through scholarships and awards which are presented in May at our annual Awards Night.  For more information on the EASTERN Foundation please visit eastech.org/foundation.

Giant A+ Rewards Program

Welcome to the start of a new school year and a year of A+ School Rewards.  Beginning October 9, 2015 through March 17, 2016, Eastern Center for Arts and Technology
(ID# 23870) will have the opportunity to earn cash for our Foundation through the Giant A+ School Rewards Program.
 
All you have to do is log on to www.giantfoodstores.com/aplus  to designate our school online using your Giant Bonus Card under the "Customer Zone" section.
 
After you register your card, each shopping trip at Giant using your Bonus Card earns cash for our Foundation!  Each month, the amount of cash awarded will be updated on the Giant website.  You can track the amount of points you earn for our school by checking your grocery receipt or going online after you create an account at www.giantfoodstores.com.  Our school will receive a check at the end of the program and the money will be used for student awards and scholarships.
 
This is the third year that Eastern Center for Arts and Technology has participated in the A+ School Rewards Program and we greatly appreciate your assistance.  Registration is easy and it will make a HUGE difference to our students.  We need your support!  Please be sure to register your card to benefit Eastern Center for Arts and Technology's students by using our school ID# 23870.  Also, don't forget to encourage your friends and family to do the same.  It could mean more awards for our outstanding students.
 
Registering your Bonus Card to benefit Eastern Center for Arts and Technology for the A+ School Rewards program will not affect your Giant Bonus Gas Rewards. 
Inside EASTERN - Inspiring Careers for 50 Years -
A Note from our Executive Director, Tom Allen
EASTERN is proud to announce that the 2015 - 2016 school year marks our 50th anniversary as the career and technical high school serving Eastern Montgomery County.  We are especially proud of the countless successful EASTERN graduates, many of which are highlighted in this newsletter each month, the outstanding faculty members who have changed lives and ignited career ambitions, and our dedicated participating schools that encourage their career-focused students toward a career and technical education program at EASTERN.  

Now that we have reached 50 years of inspiring careers, we look to a future in which we will continue to build upon and enhance program offerings for our students, and promote a hands-on learning atmosphere that prepares our students for college and/or the workforce.

Thank you for being part of the EASTERN community, and for encouraging students to pursue their hopes and dreams.
Facts About Career and Technical Education
According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 43% of young workers with Licenses and Certificates earn more than those with an associate degree, 27% of young workers with Licenses and Certificates earn more than those with a bachelor's degree, and 31% of young workers with associate degrees earn more than those with a bachelor's degree.

Dates to Remember
- October 21, 2015 - Joint Operating Committee Meeting; 8:00 p.m.
- October 29, 2015 - Practical Nursing Graduation; 8:00 p.m.
- November 6, 2015 - EASTERN Foundation Fundraiser and Murder Mystery; 6:00 p.m.
- February 28, 2016 - Open House; 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
- May 18, 2016 - 50th Anniversary Rededication; 5:30 p.m.
- May 25, 2016 - Awards Night; 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.