Despite snow and ice storms, we managed to pull off a fun-filled Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in February!  We were honored to have New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney and County Executive Brian Hughes for a visit early in the month to kick off festivities. Our students especially enjoyed the presentation of a CTE Month proclamation.

January and February are also a busy time for student competitions.  Our students competed in local SkillsUSA competitions, a regional HOSA competition, a statewide ProStart (culinary) competition and a regional auto technology competition sponsored by the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia. The relationships we establish with our community and business partners are critical to our success.  More importantly, the experience our students gain through these events cannot be matched. We're looking forward to following the progress of our students as many progress to the next level of the competitions. 

In this photo (left to right): Dr. Walter Brower, MCTS General Advisory Committee Chair; David Mensah, Career Success Award Recipient; Lisa Nolan, LPN Instructor; Kelly Pike, MCTS Health Careers Center Manager; Dr. Kimberly J. Schneider, Superintendent of Mercer County Technical School District 

The Mercer County Technical School District's General Advisory Committee presented David Mensah of Ewing with the 2015 Career Success Award. David Mensah is currently employed as a Registered Nurse Supervisor at Lawrenceville Nursing and Rehabilitation Services and Aspen Hills/Buttonwood Hospital in Pemberton. David is a 2006 graduate of the Licensed Practical Nurse program (postsecondary) at Mercer County Technical School District's Health Careers Center in Hamilton. Read more. 

A team of Culinary Arts students participated in the Pro-Start competition last month and they brought home a silver medal! Each year, the New Jersey Restaurant Educational Foundation brings the ProStart program alive with a statewide culinary and management competition. The competition gives students real-world experience and tests their skills and knowledge in not only the culinary arts, but also in restaurant management.  Click for more pictures.

Sneha Rangu has received a Student Leader of the Year Award from the New Jersey Association of Student Councils. Sneha has been a leader in her Student Council for the past four years, serving as Student Council President for three years and Secretary for one.  She has been inducted into the National Honor Society, participated as a Student Ambassador in Model UN, and served as State Historian and Secretary of New Jersey HOSA.  She has also been a student of the month while being on the all-state Tennis Team for four years. Read more.