Eastern Center for Arts and Technology Newsletter

December 2015

In This Issue

Student Success - Student of the Month

Alumni Spotlight - Noah Grochowaski Jr.

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 - November Student of the Month

Luke Gallagher is the November 2015 Student of the Month at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) in Willow Grove. He is in EASTERN's Electrical Technology program and a senior at Springfield 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.

Luke visited EASTERN's Open House as a sophomore at Springfield High School. He was drawn to both the Electrical Technology and Commercial Art programs. Once he met the Electrical Technology instructor, and found out more about career opportunities in the electrical field, he decided that would be the best path for him.

At EASTERN, Luke is very involved in EASTERN's student leadership organization, SkillsUSA, and is currently the SkillsUSA Schoolwide Treasurer for the PM session. Last year, he was part of the team that won second place for Chapter Display at the SkillsUSA State Competition at the Hershey Convention Center.

He is a student ambassador representing his program at recruitment events at Springfield High School and Springfield Middle School, and representing EASTERN at school functions such as Open House and the Advisory Appreciation Brunch.

At EASTERN's Awards Night in May 2015, Luke received the Straight A and Grainger Awards. He was chosen by his instructor, Gary Felmey, as a paid intern for EASTERN during the summer of 2015, and as the 2015 - 2016 Electrical Technology Occupational Advisory Committee student representative. When he wasn't interning, he volunteered his time as a Summer Fun World of Technology student teacher. Through his Electrical Technology program, Luke has obtained industry certifications such as OSHA 10 and Ladder Safety Training.

Outside of EASTERN, Luke is a Troupe Member for the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, in which he has participated in events, such as the World of Circus Summit, Philadelphia Juggling Festival, and has even performed at the Borgata Hotel Casino.

After graduation from Springfield High School and EASTERN, Luke plans to pursue his journeyman's license and hopes to join the Electrical Union, or open his own electrical business.

Alumni Spotlight - Noah Grochowaski Jr.

EASTERN 2015 Electrical Technology/Abington High School graduate, Noah Grochowaski Jr., was selected shortly before high school graduation last year to be the Aramark Maintenance Trainee for one year at EASTERN. Grochowaski was nominated by his EASTERN Electrical Technology instructor, Gary Felmey, and was one of four students from EASTERN interviewed by Aramark. After one year at EASTERN, Aramark plans to move Grochowaski to another Aramark location.

Grochowaski is in his first year of EASTERN's Continuing Education Electrical Apprenticeship program - a four year program held in the evening. Once his four-year education is complete, he will be halfway to becoming a journeyman electrician. Obtaining a journeyman's certification tells an employer that Grochowaski has completed the schooling and hands-on apprenticeship hours to be an expert in the field.

While in tenth grade, Grochowaski attended a presentation about EASTERN at Abington High School, and subsequently attended EASTERN's Open House. Knowing he wanted to do some form of construction work, he visited the Electrical Technology, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning and Construction Technology programs during his visit. Although he was interested in all three program, he found Electrical Technology to be the best fit for him.

"Not many people think a trade is very important, and think a four-year college is the only option. They don't realize that these skills will help you in the future by allowing you to fix things in your own house and saving money," said Grochowaski. "You also earn the same credits that you earn at your high school for graduation, so college is definitely an option."

Ultimately, Grochowaski plans on completing his apprenticeship program at EASTERN and continuing his maintenance career with Aramark.

Continuing Education at EASTERN offers a wide variety of job skill training programs for adults, providing opportunities to launch a new career, strengthen current skill sets, or advance the skills of your current employees. For more information, please visit eastech.org/continuing-education or call 215-784-4802.

EASTERN Events - EASTERN Foundation Auction

The EASTERN Foundation held its annual Foundation Fundraiser featuring the Murder Mystery, the Golden Girls, on Friday, November 6, 2015, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at EASTERN's Terwood Road campus. EASTERN is pleased to announce that the event raised more than $8,000 to support EASTERN student awards.

Some popular auction items included 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 and hair care packages.

"We would like to thank all of our sponsors and attendees," said Roseann Nyiri, EASTERN Foundation President. "In addition to all of those who attended this fun and worthwhile event, we owe a debt of gratitude to those who placed an ad in our Ad Book, those who contributed an auction item, and those who made monetary donations. I also want to thank the EASTERN students who volunteered to run games throughout the evening. The generosity of the EASTERN community is astounding."

Inside EASTERN - EASTERN Students Win Big at Leadership Conference

On November 18-20, 2015, a delegation of 37 SkillsUSA students and four advisors participated in the Annual District 2 Career and Technical Student Organization's Leadership Conference at the Pocono Manor Resort. Approximately 215 students from seven different career and technical centers from Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery Counties attended the conference. EASTERN achieved 59 awards for first place, 14 for second place and 8 awards for third place. SkillsUSA is a national student leadership organization that encourages students to be productive individuals in our democratic society. Forty-one of the first-place awards were in recognition of the coveted Spirit Trophy which is awarded to the school that achieves the highest cumulative score for all activities they participate in during the conference. Winners of special note include the following:

First Place Winners - Two Minute Speech - Kaitlyn Jensen, Commercial Art/Abington High School. Door Sign - Philip Ho, Commercial Art/Hatboro-Horsham High School. Spirit Trophy - All 37 EASTERN student participants, and all four EASTERN advisors, received first place for school spirit and now hold the coveted Spirit trophy.

Second Place Winners - Two Minute Speech - Nicole Peck, Commercial Art/Upper Dublin High School. Cheer - Rayven Anderson, Culinary Arts/Springfield High School; Kayla Balcerak, Allied Health/Upper Moreland High School; Ryan Driesbach, Collision Repair Technology/Upper Moreland High School; Khalil Llewellyn, Computer Network Administration/Cheltenham High School; Aaron McClellan-Childs, Culinary Arts/Cheltenham High School; Maggie Mercurio, Allied Health/Cheltenham High School.

Third Place Winners - Pin Design/Slogan - Matthew Cooper, Commercial Art/Upper Moreland High School.

Facts About Career and Technical Education

Students who complete a rigorous academic core coupled with a career concentration have test scores that equal or exceed "college prep" students. These dual-concentrators are more likely to pursue postsecondary education, have a higher grade point average in college and are less likely to drop out in the first year. (Southern Regional Education Board, "Facts About High School Career/Technical Studies")

	Dates to Remember
- December 9, 2015 - Joint Operating Committee Meeting; 8 p.m. - December 24 - 25, 2015 - District Closed - December 28 - 30, 2015 - Student/Teacher Holiday - December 31, 2015 - January 1, 2016 - District Closed - February 28, 2016 - Open House; 1 - 3:30 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.