JEFFERSON — During the week of Jan. 18 a number of Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School students and staff went to Washington, D.C., to partake in a SkillsUSA function. Suzanne Pratt, the Graphic Arts program instructor at ACJVS, said the reason for the trip was that ACJVS students that were Northeast Ohio regional officers could be trained in SkillsUSA procedure, practice, leadership skills and experience our country’s capital.
Those students holding office in the organization include: president – Melissa Prox, enrolled in Grand Valley’s Tech Prep Multi Media Program; vice president – Miranda Phillip from the Health Care Technology II Program; secretary – Charris Champine from the Health Care Technology I program; treasurer – Kayla Rettinger from the Health Care Technology II Program; parliamentarian – Kristie Organiscak from the Health Care Technology II Program; reporter – Joshua Moore from the Electricity I Program; and ambassador – Ashley Maple from the Cosmetology II Program.
Mrs. Pratt also said that the trip was a major undertaking, involving driving from the school to the Eastland Career Center in Columbus and then on to the capital. The drive took a total of 13 hours.
The students stayed in the D.C. area for five days and four nights, packing many experiences and activities into their stay. The students saw many of the nation’s memorials on an unforgettable night tour. They also visited Arlington National Cemetery, which included President John F. Kennedy’s grave site; the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the students had the opportunity to lay a wreath; and Arlington House. The group also visited the Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum and the Museum of Natural History.
But for many of the ACJVS students, one of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Capitol Building and the opportunity to spend time with Ohio Congressman Steven LaTourette, R-14. They were able to spend more than a half hour with the congressman, who opened up his schedule to meet with the students.
Mrs. Pratt says the trip was not all fun and games, however, as the students spent a considerable amount of time at the National SkillsUSA Center working diligently on improving their SkillsUSA knowledge and leadership skills.
Student Kristie Organiscak said the trip was very memorable and that she got to meet a lot of career-technical students from all over Ohio, some she plans to stay in touch with.
SkillsUSA is a youth organization that teaches students about teamwork and leadership. It is national in scope and serves teachers, high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health care occupations.
Some spice for
the community
On Jan. 14 five culinary arts students from the ACJVS got to show off their skills at an open house for the Ashtabula Community First Credit Union. The students served their delicious appetizers and finger foods to people from all over the community who came in to check out the credit union.
Manager Mike Riesterer said the choice of the students came naturally. “Because we are the School Employees Credit Union, we try to support the schools. So when my brother told me about the school’s culinary department, we made the call and they said that they would be happy to do it,” he said.
Riesterer said he really appreciated the school helping with the food and service and that they received many compliments.
“We had hundreds of people attend our open house and they all commented on the food and the servers,” Riesterer said. “We are very happy with the way it turned out and would recommend these kids to anyone.”
Students that worked the event also said they had a good experience.
“It was interesting to see all of the different people in the community and how many people a credit union could attract,” said Jake Stevenson, a Culinary Arts I student.
“It was nice having other people comment about the great work that we do,” said Culinary Arts II student Danicia Rucker.
Ashtabula Community First Credit Union changed its name from School Employees Credit Union.
“It was difficult to let people know that they didn’t have to be a school employee (to be a customer), so we decided to change the name,” Riesterer said. “We changed it to Community First because we wanted to provide all the services to the local community.”
Reality Day
On Jan. 13, the ACJVS held the culminating day of its annual “Reality Day.” Juniors took part in this educational day, learning how to buy cars, pay bills and even learn how much it costs to raise children. Junior students had to use skills learned in their employability class in order to get an “A for the day.”
Career Education coordinators Anne Starcher and Kay Roller helped put this wonderful learning experience together. National Honor Society members, Student Ambassadors, and a few selected students all helped with the stations that the students rotated between, conducting their activities.
“I enjoyed seeing the juniors go through an experience to prepare them for the real world,” said student Crystal Torres.
