The Porter County Career and Technical Center, located at 1005 N. Franklin St., Valparaiso, hosted it's annual Parent Night September 22, 2011. Parents had the opportunity to "meet the teachers and see projects their kids have been working on. The students had the opportunity to show off for their parents a little too," said Mrs. Ellis of the Porter County Career and Technical Center.
John Brubaker came for his son Ben, a junior this year at Valparaiso High School. Ben is taking Electronics and Computer Technology. This is his first year and wants to complete a 2-year course in the subject, which upon graduation, will give him 9 college credits. John said, "We didn't have anything like this when we were in school." Ben said that he likes the program so far because, "I get hands on experience and learn things that I can put towards a career."
At the Porter County Career and Technical Center, students can learn many career oriented studies such as, Auto Technology, Business Ownership Lab/Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Computer Aided Drafting and Design (C.A.D.D.), Construction Technology, Electronics and Computer Technology, Health Careers, Health Occupations, Marketing Internship, Modern Machining Technology, and also Video Production and Media Studies.
Bill Guinee, teacher of C.A.D.D said that, as a teacher, he enjoys the interaction with the students. He said, "We have really good up-to-date equipment. This year we have all new computers and every year our software changes and is new. We also have a 3-D printer that we are just lucky to have. It's just amazing.We can print any object about the size of a basketball. The students design something, then have the final product right in their hands."
Grant Swanson, a Senior from Washington Township High School, brought his entire family- mom and dad (Bart and Donna), and brother and sister (Logan and Diana). This is his first year at the Career and Technical Center and he is taking C.A.D.D. One project he is working with is Google Sketch Up. Swanson explained, "This program by Google let's you design a house in 3-D from the ground up." He hopes to further a career in design.
Mr. Brian Doane was on hand showing Mrs. Purnell what her son Alonzo had been working on so far this year. Doane explained, "We just back filled today." Mr. Daone teaches Construction Technologies. They are currently building a home on Andover Drive. This will be a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, with an attached 2-car garage when it is finished in approximately 2 years. It will also be handicap-accessible. Doane said, "It is a goal that all the houses be handicap accessible." Alonzo, attending from Hobart High School, said, "I really like it so far, it's hands on and I actually get to get out there and do it."
The Porter County Career and Technical Center is more than just a school. Not only do the students get to learn different career choices, but they get to have the hands-on experience in the field of their choice. The Career and Technical Center also gives back. The home that is built will be sold. Last year the home that was completed was a Habitat for Humanity home.
With another example of the school giving back to the community, the Auto Technologies class will be having a FREE winter car check on October 8, 2011 from 10:00 am -2:00 pm, "No appointment necessary!"
Jon Groth Principle of the Porter County Career and Technical Center said "We have goals for the school, and they are getting more kids passing certification tests and also getting more kids to have dual college credits before they leave high school."
For those parents that came out to the Career and Technical Center, they were delighted by all the many projects and things their kids were already working on and will be learning in the next year or two. If you are a high school student, think about taking a vocational class. High school students from Hobart to Kouts and everywhere in between have the opportunity to attend. To learn more visit www.pccte.org/staff.htm.