What’s recently happened
With the passing of holidays in recent weeks, the Porter County Career and Technical Center (PCCTC) participated in the season of giving. PCCTC held a food drive for Hilltop Neighborhood House. Hilltop Neighborhood House is an organization in Valparaiso on 460 South College Avenue. The organization provides full-time education and year-round childcare, a food pantry, and after-school programs.
“Hilltop Neighborhood House empowers the community and strengthens families by providing a place to learn, grow, and belong,” stated Hilltop Neighborhood Houses' website.
Visit its website to volunteer, donate, or even download its wish list.
After a week of donating, the students and staff at the career center did not disappoint. The donations amounted to three carloads of food.
“I am happy to say that it was a successful food drive,” PCCTC Business and Marketing Teacher Beth Ammons said.
To participate in upcoming activities at Hilltop Neighborhood House, follow its Facebook page or visit its website at https://hilltophouse.org/.
What’s coming up
With January welcoming a new year, PCCTC will also be welcoming new students to enroll in the fall. The career center is hosting an open house on Thursday, January 1 at 6 p.m. to give interested students a tour.
The open house will allow parents and students to see what the classroom is like and get a thorough introduction to the course.
“The classes are also fun and very hands-on,” said Chad Franks, principal of PCCTC.
During this time, interested students will also have the opportunity to meet the instructor of the course and maybe even a couple students who are presently enrolled in the class. This will allow for a comprehensive first-hand account of the class so future applicants can make an educated decision on what course feels right for both their goals and needs.
If you have any questions on book rental and fees, potential dual credits, or transportation, you will want to be in attendance.
“The open house was super informative and fun," said Kiera Maisonneuve-Waho, who attended the event last year.
Staff spotlight
Greg Carmack is the precision machining teacher at the career center. It is Carmack’s 13th year teaching at PCCTC.
He originally graduated from high school in Kansas and then decided to further his education at a multitude of universities including Indiana University South Bend, Wichita State University, and Vincennes University. However, it was at Iowa Western College where Carmack got his associate of applied science (AAS) in machining. He is also a certified NOCTI instructor as well.
Among all this, Carmack has 20 years of prior work experience in the field before joining the PCCTC team. Carmack worked as quality assurance tech, quality manager, machinist, manufacturing engineer, CAD CAM CNC engineer, and manufacturing supervisor.
All this experience has made Carmack well-qualified for his position as the precision machining teacher. In this course, students learn how to make things out of metal by using computer-controlled machining, computer-aided design and machining, and mechanics.
"My advice would be to not give up, even if they decide not to do machining for a career," Carmack said.
Carmack is a down-to-earth man who wants the best for his students not only presently but in their future.
“I hope the one thing they learn is to get over this fear of failure,” said Carmack.
This wisdom is truly a message not only for the students of this course to take into consideration but anyone trying to achieve success.
Student spotlight
Gabe Dunkle is a bright and exemplary student at the career center. He is enrolled in his first year in the computer-aided design and animation program.
The course has dual credits for Ivy Tech Community College. In this two-year program, they create 3D models of parts for manufacturing, design buildings, and make animations.
Dunkle has always enjoyed building things and hopes to become a mechanical engineer and work for a defense contractor. Dunkle says,
“I hope to one day be able to pass on my knowledge to young and upcoming engineers," he said.
He is driven by the thought of having the opportunity to learn how to create new and complex things.
“My greatest experience has been using the 3D printer to create whatever I can think of," he said.