Eastern Center for Arts and Technology Newsletter

February 2016

In This Issue

Student Success - Student of the Month

Alumni Spotlight - Michelle Calderone

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 - January Student of the Month

Dana Nickens is the January 2016 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 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.

Dana's older brother attended EASTERN's Collision Repair Technology program, and Dana attended the Summer Fun Computer Art and Digital Photography program during middle school. She visited EASTERN's Open House when she was a sophomore at Upper Dublin High School. It was at the Open House where she met Nicole Mohrey, EASTERN's Commercial Art Instructor, and found out more about the program. She had developed a love of art, and found that EASTERN's Commercial Art program could offer her an in-depth professional development program to help her get ready for college.

At EASTERN, Dana is very involved in EASTERN's student leadership organization, SkillsUSA, and is currently the SkillsUSA Schoolwide President for the PM session. During the 2014 - 2015 school year, she was chosen to attend the SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference and served as the SkillsUSA Commercial Art program Treasurer. Also as a junior, she received first place in the SkillsUSA Local Competition for Customer Service and then went on to place third at the SkillsUSA District 2 Competition. She was also part of the team that received second place for Chapter Display at the SkillsUSA State Competition.

In addition to volunteering her time to photograph all EASTERN events, Dana is also very active at Upper Dublin High School. She currently serves as the Black Student Union President, and was also a member of the Upper Dublin High School Marching Band from 2012 - 2014.

After graduation from Upper Dublin High School and EASTERN, Dana plans to attend Howard University in Washington DC, where she will pursue her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Arts and Photography. She also plans to obtain a photography internship during college.

Alumni Spotlight - Michelle Calderone

EASTERN 1998 Commercial Art/Upper Dublin High School graduate, Michelle Howley Calderone, is currently an instructor at the Uncorked Artist in Warminster. Michelle feels as though EASTERN provided her with a detailed focus on the many creative tools available in the robust commercial art field.

Michelle continued her education in graphic design at Temple University's Tyler School of Art immediately following high school graduation. While in college, she started working at AC Moore to pay for her school supplies. That part-time job turned into a management position for Michelle. She loves all things pertaining to art and enjoyed helping people find the tools to succeed in creating their own art. Her experience from AC Moore led her to moving to another management role at Michaels Arts & Crafts. During her time working at Michaels Arts & Crafts, she also did freelance graphic design.

While taking some time off from work to raise her daughter, she chose to focus on finding a career that would enable her to create art, yet still pay the bills. That is when she became an instructor, and now manager, at The Uncorked Artist, a popular painting venue that helps people discover or rediscover their inner artist. They supply everything necessary, such as canvas, brushes, paints, step-by-step instruction, smock, easel, napkins, plates, cups, utensils, etc. As an instructor, Michelle provides step-by-step instruction on a featured painting. Through this position she uses her degree in graphic design on the back end of the business, and illustrates her own paintings to be used in the classes. In addition to her position at The Uncorked Artist, Michelle would like to be a children's book writer/illustrator.

"EASTERN introduced me to graphic design and many other mediums," said Michelle. "I know that I would not have been prepared for the portfolio interviews to get into college if it wasn't for the encouragement and guidance of their dedicated staff."

Commercial Art at EASTERN covers everything from conceptual drawing and design to a professional portfolio. Students learn the value and application of their unique styles in both design and illustration. Students use industry-standard software on the Macintosh platform. Software used includes Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Dreamweaver and Flash.

Michelle Calderone and her daughter

EASTERN Events - EASTERN Wins Big at SkillsUSA District Competition

Forty-three students from EASTERN won medals in skill areas or leadership at the SkillsUSA District Competition held February 2 - 3, 2016 at EASTERN's facility in Willow Grove. First-place winners will represent EASTERN at the state-level competitions to be held April 13 - 15, 2016 in Hershey, PA. SkillsUSA is a national student leadership organization that encourages career and technical students to be productive individuals in our democratic society, work to their potential, become responsible, be proud of their accomplishments, and supportive of their community. Medalists from EASTERN include:

Gold Medal Winners: Automotive Service Technology - Michael Steinmetz (Hatboro-Horsham/Automotive Technology); Collision Repair Technology - Ryan Driesbach (Upper Moreland/Collision Repair Technology); Commercial Baking - Sue Mun (Upper Dublin/Culinary Arts); Health Knowledge Bowl - Kayla Balcerak (Upper Moreland/Allied Health), Jordyn Harris (Upper Moreland/Allied Health), Tina Huynh (Cheltenham/Allied Health), Sierra Siegfried (Upper Moreland/Allied Health); HVACR - Kevin Kubachka (Upper Moreland /Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning); Industrial Motor Control - Luke Gallagher (Springfield/Electrical Technology); Job Interview - Olga Stylianou (Upper Moreland/Computer Network Administration); Medical Terminology - Alhaji Foray (Upper Moreland/Allied Health); Opening and Closing Ceremonies - Carolyn Choates (Abington/Commercial Art), Jenna Cubernot (Hatboro-Horsham/Commercial Art), Nicole Esola (Hatboro-Horsham/Commercial Art), Rachael Forbes (Springfield/Commercial Art), Abigail Kugler (Archbishop Wood/Commercial Art), Jaeda Mattis (Springfield/Commercial Art), Dana Nickens (Upper Dublin/Commercial Art); Photography - Maximilian Crandall (Lower Moreland/Commercial Art); Photography Model - Jaeda Mattis (Springfield/Commercial Art); Technical Computer Applications - Autumn Clark (Cheltenham/Office Management); and Welding - Jamison Tarman (Upper Moreland/Welding Technology).

Silver Medal Winners: Advertising Design - Nicole Peck (Upper Dublin/Commercial Art); Automotive Refinishing Technology - Shane McDonnell (Upper Dublin/Collision Repair Technology); Cosmetology - Meghan Polk (Upper Moreland/Cosmetology); Criminal Justice - Gabriel Bermudez (Upper Moreland/Protective Services); Electrical Construction Wiring - Jake Gerstemeier (Abington/Electrical Technology); Extemporaneous Speaking - Anthony Sleptsov (Lower Moreland/Commercial Art); Internetworking - Brendan O'Connor (Upper Moreland/Computer Network Administration); Nail Care - Jennifer Vu (Hatboro-Horsham/Cosmetology); Nail Care Model - Emely Ramirez (Springfield/Cosmetology); Prepared Speech - Kaitlin Jensen (Abington/Commercial Art); Quiz Bowl - Hanna Long (Upper Moreland/Culinary Arts), Leslie Sandoval-Rivera (Upper Moreland/Commercial Art), Aja Johnson (Cheltenham/Collision Repair Technology), Alicia Thompson (Upper Moreland/Allied Health), and Maura Degan (Abington/Cosmetology).

Bronze Medal Winners: Crime Scene Investigation - Melanie Wittick (Upper Moreland/Protective Services), Robin Sandate (Upper Moreland/Protective Services), and Quintin Gibson (Cheltenham/Protective Services); Culinary Arts - Seyvon Jones (Upper Moreland/Culinary Arts); Employment Application Process - Casey Underkoffler (Upper Moreland/Commercial Art); and Medical Math - Michaela Kolenkiewicz (Jenkintown/Allied Health).

Inside EASTERN - EASTERN Prepares for Open House

Open House at EASTERN is Sunday, February 28, 2016 from 1 - 3:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity for parents of high school students in Eastern Montgomery County to see how EASTERN can give students a competitive edge in college or in a specialized career program. At the Open House parents and students will learn how EASTERN students can earn college credits while still in high school through dual enrollment and articulation agreements, and enjoy learning in a hands-on setting. The Open House also offers an opportunity to hear from EASTERN instructors on the business environment that complements students' high school academics. Guests will also learn about EASTERN's Student Warranty. Many special activities in EASTERN's career programs are scheduled, and visitors will have the opportunity to sample culinary delights prepared by EASTERN's Culinary Arts students.

EASTERN's half-day career programs for 11^th and 12^th grade students include: Allied Health; Automotive Technology; Collision Repair Technology; Commercial Art; Computer Network Administration; Construction Technology; Cosmetology; Culinary Arts; Electrical Technology; Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; Office Management; Protective Services; Veterinary Science, and Welding Technology.

Over the past 50 years EASTERN has been dedicated to serving its students, constantly updating and restructuring its programs, implementing new initiatives, renovating its facilities to be conducive to students' education, and bringing in faculty and administration who are dedicated to helping students achieve their goals. EASTERN program offerings have changed and evolved to meet industry standards and local workforce needs.

"I am proud to be part of such a momentous milestone for EASTERN," said Tom Allen, EASTERN's Executive Director. "EASTERN has graduated approximately 35,000 students since its first graduating class in 1967. So many of these graduates hold strong ties to EASTERN, serving as internship supervisors for our students, EASTERN advisory committee members for each program, and career and technical education advocates. Our graduates are business leaders in this area, and have helped EASTERN grow and change with industry needs. We are also extremely grateful to the EASTERN community for all of its support and look forward to celebrating 50 years of inspiring careers at our Open House."

EASTERN is located at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove. Please contact Amy Shields at 215-784-4806 or ashields@eastech.org with any questions. Parking is available on campus or across Terwood Road at Upper Moreland High School, with a shuttle bus from 1 p.m.

	Facts About Career and Technical Education
According to the PA ACTE Fact Sheet, 82 percent of CTE postsecondary students achieved an industry-recognized credential, certificate or degree.

	Dates to Remember
- February 10, 2016 - Joint Operating Committee Meeting; 8:00 p.m. - February 12, 2016 - In-Service/No School for Students - February 15, 2016 - District Closed - February 28, 2016 - School Director's Orientation; 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - February 28, 2016 - Open House; 1:00 - 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.