Who: Alex Allen and Sarah Zimmer
Age: Sophmore and Junior in High School
What: They are volunteers in a youth leadership program and are making a difference in there community!
Alex and Sarah are two youths striving to make a difference in their community through the Youth Leadership Program. They were chosen to be featured in this article out of 10 participants. This is an easy read. I hope you all make the effort to read it and see some of the positive things these two youth's are doing. This article can be found at The Times Herald.
Hats off to two young volunteers making a difference
Pair from Wings of the Harbor recognized for contributions
To wrap up this month's focus on youth programs and feature "Volunteer Recognition" in April, we asked Tina Essmaker from the Wings of the Harbor to highlight two extraordinary youths.
Here's what she wrote:
As program coordinator for the United Way Youth Collaborative, I was asked to select two of the 10 youth participants from the Youth Leadership Program to be featured in this article. This was a very difficult task as all the youth participants have been wonderful to work with, and they each bring something special to the group.
I would like to recognize the strengths and talents of each individual and if I had the space, I would feature them all. I would also like to thank the United Way, which has made this program possible and continues to support our endeavors to encourage leadership in St. Clair County youth.
The first youth participant I would like to recognize is Alex Allen.
Alex is a sophomore at Port Huron Northern High School who enjoys cross-country skiing and was referred to the Youth Leadership Program from one of the collaborative agencies, The Boy Scouts of America. Alex has been involved with Boy Scouts for six years and is an Eagle Scout. He is full of insight and working with him has been a pleasure.
I know there are many positive things in store for his future. After completing the required training sessions, Alex began volunteering at the YMCA, also a member of the collaborative body. He assists with the YMCA's after-school program at Thomas A. Edison Elementary School and his duties include helping elementary students with their homework and helping with activities and games.
Alex reports that his placement has been working out well and has been enjoyable.
The second youth participant I would like to highlight is Sarah Zimmer, a junior at St. Clair High School.
Sarah is an active member of the student council and enjoys teaching catechism, participating in youth group, writing for the "Model T Times," and restoring a Model T vehicle with her dad.
In the future, she plans to attend Grand Valley State University and major in genetic counseling.
Sarah was referred to the Youth Leadership Program from the Girl Scouts, also a collaborative agency. She has been a member of the organization for 12 years and is a Senior Girl Scout.
Sarah has been an amazing individual to work with. She is intelligent, charismatic and able to adapt to various situations without compromising who she is as an individual.
After completing the required training sessions, Sarah began volunteering at the Harbor. Her primary task will be assisting with the Street Outreach Program, working with at-risk youth.
Sarah said the Youth Leadership Program is a good program that allows people to view different settings and gain an understanding of what is out there, and she enjoys giving back.
Hats off to Alex and Sara. You truly "Do Good" for our community!
Showing posts with label High School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label High School. Show all posts
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Youth Action Group Holds "Kick Butts Day"
Who: Students at Raymond High School
Age: Teens
What: Youth Action Group
This Wednesday's article is about volunteer Mary Duff and the RCFY Youth Action Group. Mary has been a volunteer for 19 years; however, the most important part this article is what the youth at Raymond High School are doing to make a difference. They took a survey of how many kids smoke cigarettes in the school and after seeing the results held "Kick Butts Day." This article can be found at Seacoast Online.
Kicking butts: Students honored for making a difference
Mary Duff and Raymond Coalition for Youth receive Spirit of the Seacoast Award
By Dan Lorenz
dlorenz@seacoastonline.com
March 21, 2008 6:00 AM
Whether organizing an anti-smoking campaign in their school, establishing a Toys for Tots program, or raising money to help a fellow student pay for hospital bills, the positive volunteer efforts of the Raymond Coalition for Youth resonate throughout their community.
In recognition of their outstanding service, volunteer Mary Duff and the RCFY Youth Action Group are receiving the Spirit of the Seacoast Award, given out quarterly to groups and citizens in the Seacoast community.
The award, which has been a tradition since 2001, is sponsored by the United Way of the Greater Seacoast Volunteer Action Center, the Federal Savings Bank in Dover, and the Portsmouth Herald.
Duff, a Raymond resident for 19 years, says that receiving the award was an unexpected honor.
"I have to say that I am very surprised this happened," Duff said. "I didn't think I had done enough. I never expected this."
Although Duff may doubt her contributions, friends and co-workers have sent in many letters of support to the award committee highlighting her impact in the community.
Described by friends as a person who doesn't need any recognition for her efforts, Duff has been actively involved in the Raymond school system for many years. As a NAMI-certified master youth suicide prevention trainer, she has worked closely with students and adults alike, teaching them effective suicide crisis management techniques.
Fluent in Japanese, Duff has also worked in classrooms, sharing with students her love of Japanese culture. As a child, Duff's father was stationed several times at army bases in Okinawa. From this experience, she was able to learn what she modestly calls "Baby Japanese."
"I watched a lot of samurai shows, and I picked up pieces of the Japanese language," Duff said.
Duff first became involved with the RCFY Youth Action Group when her daughter became a member. Since then, she has been recognized as a reliable volunteer, an active member, and an overall positive force in the group.
Tammy Reardon, a co-worker and RCFY youth worker, says that Duff's support is invaluable.
"She is a constant support for the youth as well as the adults in our community," Reardon said. "She has shown her dedication by always being there and getting involved."
Since its formation two years ago, the Raymond Coalition for Youth Action has already made a large impact in the community. Disgusted and concerned by the problem of smoking in the school bathrooms, the group of 20 dedicated students decided to form a plan to stop it.
"They came up with the idea to pass around a survey to find out how many kids were smoking," Duff said. "They were shocked to find that it was only a handful that were doing it. The rest of the students didn't want it."
Using the school's support as momentum, the group decided to establish a day dedicated to eliminating the problem.
On March 28, 2007, Raymond High School held "Kick Butts Day." More than 300 students and faculty in the school wore anti-smoking shirts designed by the Youth Action Group, and members gave out stickers, pins, and pamphlets describing the dangers of smoking. At the end of the day, smoking in the bathroom was essentially eliminated.
"The kids were proud of what they were able to accomplish," Duff said. "They also saw that with proper planning they could achieve a peaceful ending to something that is really nasty."
Kirk Beitler, principal of Raymond High School, says that he is proud of what the students have been able to do for their school.
"They have absolutely had a positive impact," Beitler said. "The group is a positive outlet for kids. I certainly whole-heartedly support their efforts toward the school, and the community at large."
Beitler adds that the students have recently attended a workshop concerning alcohol awareness, and are currently involved in teaching students the dangers of alcohol consumption.
In addition to these volunteer efforts, the RCFY Youth Action Group has sponsored dances to help pay for a classmate's medical bills, cleaned up their school's grounds for a graduation ceremony, and held a Safety Belt Challenge event.
The group also focuses on keeping their community clean. Last spring, members held a town clean-up day, in which they picked up garbage around the town common, the middle and high schools, and the cemetery.
Robin Albert, director of the UWGS Volunteer Action Center, says that Duff and the youth coalition were chosen because of their significant impact on the community.
"This is the work of a woman who is obviously so dedicated to the organization," Albert said. "It takes a lot of work, and the kids in the group certainly took action. They really seemed to make an impression on the award committee.
"They did exactly what their name says. They really put their money where there mouth is."
Duff and the RCFY Youth Action Group will receive their award at a special reception on April 28, to be held at the Great Bay Discovery Center in Greenland.
The group will be given a $500 award, which is to be given to the charity of the receiver's choice.
"I plan on putting the money right back into the coalition," Duff said. "It will help us do much more for the organization."
In the future, Duff plans to help establish a youth center in Raymond.
"I hope to make a place where kids can go do their homework, or just hang out and enjoy each other's company," Duff said. "It would be so wonderful to find a place where they could do that."
BE A VOLUNTEER
United Way of the Greater Seacoast offers a searchable database on its Web site where users can find local volunteer opportunities with a few clicks of the mouse.
Log on to uwgs.org, and click "search volunteer opportunities" at the bottom of the page. From there, enter your zip code or keywords to find an opportunity near you.
Age: Teens
What: Youth Action Group
This Wednesday's article is about volunteer Mary Duff and the RCFY Youth Action Group. Mary has been a volunteer for 19 years; however, the most important part this article is what the youth at Raymond High School are doing to make a difference. They took a survey of how many kids smoke cigarettes in the school and after seeing the results held "Kick Butts Day." This article can be found at Seacoast Online.
Kicking butts: Students honored for making a difference
Mary Duff and Raymond Coalition for Youth receive Spirit of the Seacoast Award
By Dan Lorenz
dlorenz@seacoastonline.com
March 21, 2008 6:00 AM
Whether organizing an anti-smoking campaign in their school, establishing a Toys for Tots program, or raising money to help a fellow student pay for hospital bills, the positive volunteer efforts of the Raymond Coalition for Youth resonate throughout their community.
In recognition of their outstanding service, volunteer Mary Duff and the RCFY Youth Action Group are receiving the Spirit of the Seacoast Award, given out quarterly to groups and citizens in the Seacoast community.
The award, which has been a tradition since 2001, is sponsored by the United Way of the Greater Seacoast Volunteer Action Center, the Federal Savings Bank in Dover, and the Portsmouth Herald.
Duff, a Raymond resident for 19 years, says that receiving the award was an unexpected honor.
"I have to say that I am very surprised this happened," Duff said. "I didn't think I had done enough. I never expected this."
Although Duff may doubt her contributions, friends and co-workers have sent in many letters of support to the award committee highlighting her impact in the community.
Described by friends as a person who doesn't need any recognition for her efforts, Duff has been actively involved in the Raymond school system for many years. As a NAMI-certified master youth suicide prevention trainer, she has worked closely with students and adults alike, teaching them effective suicide crisis management techniques.
Fluent in Japanese, Duff has also worked in classrooms, sharing with students her love of Japanese culture. As a child, Duff's father was stationed several times at army bases in Okinawa. From this experience, she was able to learn what she modestly calls "Baby Japanese."
"I watched a lot of samurai shows, and I picked up pieces of the Japanese language," Duff said.
Duff first became involved with the RCFY Youth Action Group when her daughter became a member. Since then, she has been recognized as a reliable volunteer, an active member, and an overall positive force in the group.
Tammy Reardon, a co-worker and RCFY youth worker, says that Duff's support is invaluable.
"She is a constant support for the youth as well as the adults in our community," Reardon said. "She has shown her dedication by always being there and getting involved."
Since its formation two years ago, the Raymond Coalition for Youth Action has already made a large impact in the community. Disgusted and concerned by the problem of smoking in the school bathrooms, the group of 20 dedicated students decided to form a plan to stop it.
"They came up with the idea to pass around a survey to find out how many kids were smoking," Duff said. "They were shocked to find that it was only a handful that were doing it. The rest of the students didn't want it."
Using the school's support as momentum, the group decided to establish a day dedicated to eliminating the problem.
On March 28, 2007, Raymond High School held "Kick Butts Day." More than 300 students and faculty in the school wore anti-smoking shirts designed by the Youth Action Group, and members gave out stickers, pins, and pamphlets describing the dangers of smoking. At the end of the day, smoking in the bathroom was essentially eliminated.
"The kids were proud of what they were able to accomplish," Duff said. "They also saw that with proper planning they could achieve a peaceful ending to something that is really nasty."
Kirk Beitler, principal of Raymond High School, says that he is proud of what the students have been able to do for their school.
"They have absolutely had a positive impact," Beitler said. "The group is a positive outlet for kids. I certainly whole-heartedly support their efforts toward the school, and the community at large."
Beitler adds that the students have recently attended a workshop concerning alcohol awareness, and are currently involved in teaching students the dangers of alcohol consumption.
In addition to these volunteer efforts, the RCFY Youth Action Group has sponsored dances to help pay for a classmate's medical bills, cleaned up their school's grounds for a graduation ceremony, and held a Safety Belt Challenge event.
The group also focuses on keeping their community clean. Last spring, members held a town clean-up day, in which they picked up garbage around the town common, the middle and high schools, and the cemetery.
Robin Albert, director of the UWGS Volunteer Action Center, says that Duff and the youth coalition were chosen because of their significant impact on the community.
"This is the work of a woman who is obviously so dedicated to the organization," Albert said. "It takes a lot of work, and the kids in the group certainly took action. They really seemed to make an impression on the award committee.
"They did exactly what their name says. They really put their money where there mouth is."
Duff and the RCFY Youth Action Group will receive their award at a special reception on April 28, to be held at the Great Bay Discovery Center in Greenland.
The group will be given a $500 award, which is to be given to the charity of the receiver's choice.
"I plan on putting the money right back into the coalition," Duff said. "It will help us do much more for the organization."
In the future, Duff plans to help establish a youth center in Raymond.
"I hope to make a place where kids can go do their homework, or just hang out and enjoy each other's company," Duff said. "It would be so wonderful to find a place where they could do that."
BE A VOLUNTEER
United Way of the Greater Seacoast offers a searchable database on its Web site where users can find local volunteer opportunities with a few clicks of the mouse.
Log on to uwgs.org, and click "search volunteer opportunities" at the bottom of the page. From there, enter your zip code or keywords to find an opportunity near you.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Heading to Kenya this July to make the world a better place
Who: Lacombe High School Students
Age: 16-18
What: Heading to Kenya this July to make the world a better place
This Wednesday Believe In Youth presents to you a story of 20 high school students who are striving to make a difference in the world. They are taking a humanitarian trip to Africa to help people in Kenya who are suffering. This is something they didn't have to do, but wanted to do. We need more and more young people like that in the world to continue making a positive impact on our society. This article is from the Lancombe Globe.
Lacombe high school students plan humanitarian trip
A group of about 20 students from Ecole Lacombe Composite High School are heading to Kenya this July to help make the world a better place.
By Lisa Joy
Globe Editor
Tuesday February 26, 2008
A group of about 20 students from Ecole Lacombe Composite High School are heading to Kenya this July to help make the world a better place.
"This trip is about realizing that the world is bigger than ourselves and our desire is to create an opportunity for students to make a real difference in someone's life that is in need," said Jake Schellenberg, who heads the group Youth Unlimited.
"We believe that helping people is the main ingredient in making the world a better place in Kenya, as well as our world right here in Lacombe," he added. "As we make an impact on others we are impacted, so it's a win-win for everyone."
The students have planned this trip since last year and are not deterred by the post-election violence that has ravaged Kenya since December.
Grade 11 student Jordan Graber says he's not afraid to go and is looking forward to filling a need in Kenya.
"I've always wanted to go (to Africa) since I was little, to just help them out because they are suffering.
"There's so much we can do. The world is so big and you don't get these opportunities often, so any difference you can make is good."
Schellenberg–who just returned from a few weeks in Kenya with Eric Rajah, founder of Lacombe-based humanitarian group A Better World–says he felt safe while in Kenya. He went to assess the situation there before taking Lacombe students this July for disaster relief.
"I did not feel like I was in danger at any time," he said. "We took the proper precautions and made sure that we measured all the risks.
"We are definitely concerned about taking students to Kenya and we are really happy that we still have five months before we leave to understand what is happening," he added.
He said what struck him the most was the amount of need he saw in Kenya.
"I saw need from a school that desperately needs help, from kids in orphanages that have been taken in, and from the refugee camp we worked in while we were there."
Eight leaders will accompany the group of youth, ranging in age from 16 to 18.
Besides humanitarian work, Schellenberg says the students will have an opportunity to experience African culture.
"They will be organizing activities with kids, teaching classes, getting their hands dirty with some work projects, soaking in and learning about African culture and taking some time for safari."
A fundraiser is planned on March 8, at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church to help fund the students' trip. The evening will feature local entertainment.
Information will also be presented about Project Africa, a joint venture between A Better World and Youth Unlimited.
Age: 16-18
What: Heading to Kenya this July to make the world a better place
This Wednesday Believe In Youth presents to you a story of 20 high school students who are striving to make a difference in the world. They are taking a humanitarian trip to Africa to help people in Kenya who are suffering. This is something they didn't have to do, but wanted to do. We need more and more young people like that in the world to continue making a positive impact on our society. This article is from the Lancombe Globe.
Lacombe high school students plan humanitarian trip
A group of about 20 students from Ecole Lacombe Composite High School are heading to Kenya this July to help make the world a better place.
By Lisa Joy
Globe Editor
Tuesday February 26, 2008
A group of about 20 students from Ecole Lacombe Composite High School are heading to Kenya this July to help make the world a better place.
"This trip is about realizing that the world is bigger than ourselves and our desire is to create an opportunity for students to make a real difference in someone's life that is in need," said Jake Schellenberg, who heads the group Youth Unlimited.
"We believe that helping people is the main ingredient in making the world a better place in Kenya, as well as our world right here in Lacombe," he added. "As we make an impact on others we are impacted, so it's a win-win for everyone."
The students have planned this trip since last year and are not deterred by the post-election violence that has ravaged Kenya since December.
Grade 11 student Jordan Graber says he's not afraid to go and is looking forward to filling a need in Kenya.
"I've always wanted to go (to Africa) since I was little, to just help them out because they are suffering.
"There's so much we can do. The world is so big and you don't get these opportunities often, so any difference you can make is good."
Schellenberg–who just returned from a few weeks in Kenya with Eric Rajah, founder of Lacombe-based humanitarian group A Better World–says he felt safe while in Kenya. He went to assess the situation there before taking Lacombe students this July for disaster relief.
"I did not feel like I was in danger at any time," he said. "We took the proper precautions and made sure that we measured all the risks.
"We are definitely concerned about taking students to Kenya and we are really happy that we still have five months before we leave to understand what is happening," he added.
He said what struck him the most was the amount of need he saw in Kenya.
"I saw need from a school that desperately needs help, from kids in orphanages that have been taken in, and from the refugee camp we worked in while we were there."
Eight leaders will accompany the group of youth, ranging in age from 16 to 18.
Besides humanitarian work, Schellenberg says the students will have an opportunity to experience African culture.
"They will be organizing activities with kids, teaching classes, getting their hands dirty with some work projects, soaking in and learning about African culture and taking some time for safari."
A fundraiser is planned on March 8, at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church to help fund the students' trip. The evening will feature local entertainment.
Information will also be presented about Project Africa, a joint venture between A Better World and Youth Unlimited.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Students get fired up at Goose Creek High
Who: Josh Carmack
Age: Senior in High School
What: Lacked motivation to succeed until he found his niche
The article we bring to you this Wednesday is about a senior in high school who was discouraged to be in Special Education classes his first ten years of school. In that time, he didn’t really know were he fit in academically. When he became involved in the welding program at school, though, he found his “specialty.” It is important that our educational system continues building programs in which our youth find passion. Sometimes, all we need in life is a chance. For Josh Carmack, he got that chance and made the most of it. It is time for our educational systems to give more chances to more youths, whether through programs like this or other innovative motivational methods. This article was published by The Post and Courier. It doesn’t take a world changing event to make a difference. Making a difference in your own life or that of those close to you can go a long way.
Tech classes help spark interest in school, future
By Mindy B. Hagen
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
GOOSE CREEK — Josh Carmack spent his first 10 years of school in special education classes, lacking the motivation to succeed academically.
Now the Goose Creek High School senior is the talk of his school for building an intricate “wildlife” glass-top table and four chairs. The outdoor furniture set, which Carmack created in welding class, is expected to be one of the highest-demand items during the silent auction portion of Berkeley County’s Teacher Forum instructional fair Feb. 15.
Although he’s spent five years in high school, Carmack is on track to graduate in the spring. He’s left special education classes behind for mainstream courses. And he was named Goose Creek High’s student of the month for January.
Carmack credits the school’s welding class for his turnaround.
Roughly 150 to 200 students each year request one of the 50 open slots in Tim Burgsteiner’s welding class. Students are selected based on their discipline and attendance records. Once enrolled, they tackle projects such as holiday parade floats and hurdles for the track team.
Carmack is one of many students who have benefited from the career and technical education courses available in Berkeley County’s comprehensive high schools, which include such subjects as health sciences, sports medicine and electronics.
“I have opportunities now that I wouldn’t have ever had,” Carmack said. “It’s totally turned my life around, and there are a lot of other students who also can’t wait to come back here every day.”
At Goose Creek High, “back here” refers to a cluster of career and technical education classes housed in a far corner of the campus. Instructors who lead the 10 courses — the most in the district — often work together on projects, meaning a welding student might use the computers in architectural and mechanical design to sketch out an idea.
Allowing hundreds of students to take part in hands-on projects each day also has an impact on Goose Creek High’s core academic classes, said Sherri Scoggins, the school’s career specialist. Welding students who use fire to mold steel or architectural design students who use complicated mathematical equations to create blueprints “see the relevance of why they need chemistry or geometry for their chosen line of work,” Scoggins said. It gives students who are at risk of dropping out a reason to attend class every day, she said.
Berkeley is the only school district in the Lowcountry that has pursued a full-fledged comprehensive high school concept, with career and technical education classes available on the same campus as academic courses. In Charleston County, the Garrett Academy of Technology is the only vocational school. In Dorchester County, many students travel to the Career and Technology Center for masonry, automotive repair and cosmetology.
Ten years ago, Berkeley County moved away from separate vocational centers and added career and technology wings to its existing high schools. That shift opened hands-on courses to a larger group of students, some of whom start with only a casual interest, said Gwen Scarborough, the district’s school-to-career coordinator.
Burgsteiner began Goose Creek’s welding class in 1998, and he has added machines every year. In addition to using traditional torches, the welding students have access to a plasma-cutting machine, which cuts sheets of steel with laserlike precision. Students create a variety of items, including backyard grills and signs for local businesses, and they often sell finished products to fund trips to state competitions. Graduates who spend two years in welding can obtain jobs with starting pay of $17 per hour.
Carmack’s wildlife table has attracted a new level of attention for the popular program. The 4-foot-by-4-foot glass-top table boasts smooth edges and stands about 3 feet high. The four steel chairs, painted black, feature animal silhouettes of rams, deer, birds and wolves.
Carmack, who once had no plans for the future, envisioned and completed the entire project. Since first setting foot in Goose Creek High’s welding shop, he’s participated in a co-op program at Master Sheet Metal and spent a summer in New Mexico welding walls for a new nuclear testing lab. Instead of taking study hall, Carmack returns to the shop every day to serve as a teaching assistant for first-year welding students. He’s applying for a scholarship to attend the 60-week NASCAR Technical Institute in North Carolina, where he’ll learn to manufacture stock cars.
Scarborough said Carmack’s story shows the importance of providing students with a strong direction and a career-based focus.
“He’s a shining star,” she said. “But that’s what can happen when a student is able to find his niche.”
Age: Senior in High School
What: Lacked motivation to succeed until he found his niche
The article we bring to you this Wednesday is about a senior in high school who was discouraged to be in Special Education classes his first ten years of school. In that time, he didn’t really know were he fit in academically. When he became involved in the welding program at school, though, he found his “specialty.” It is important that our educational system continues building programs in which our youth find passion. Sometimes, all we need in life is a chance. For Josh Carmack, he got that chance and made the most of it. It is time for our educational systems to give more chances to more youths, whether through programs like this or other innovative motivational methods. This article was published by The Post and Courier. It doesn’t take a world changing event to make a difference. Making a difference in your own life or that of those close to you can go a long way.
Tech classes help spark interest in school, future
By Mindy B. Hagen
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
GOOSE CREEK — Josh Carmack spent his first 10 years of school in special education classes, lacking the motivation to succeed academically.
Now the Goose Creek High School senior is the talk of his school for building an intricate “wildlife” glass-top table and four chairs. The outdoor furniture set, which Carmack created in welding class, is expected to be one of the highest-demand items during the silent auction portion of Berkeley County’s Teacher Forum instructional fair Feb. 15.
Although he’s spent five years in high school, Carmack is on track to graduate in the spring. He’s left special education classes behind for mainstream courses. And he was named Goose Creek High’s student of the month for January.
Carmack credits the school’s welding class for his turnaround.
Roughly 150 to 200 students each year request one of the 50 open slots in Tim Burgsteiner’s welding class. Students are selected based on their discipline and attendance records. Once enrolled, they tackle projects such as holiday parade floats and hurdles for the track team.
Carmack is one of many students who have benefited from the career and technical education courses available in Berkeley County’s comprehensive high schools, which include such subjects as health sciences, sports medicine and electronics.
“I have opportunities now that I wouldn’t have ever had,” Carmack said. “It’s totally turned my life around, and there are a lot of other students who also can’t wait to come back here every day.”
At Goose Creek High, “back here” refers to a cluster of career and technical education classes housed in a far corner of the campus. Instructors who lead the 10 courses — the most in the district — often work together on projects, meaning a welding student might use the computers in architectural and mechanical design to sketch out an idea.
Allowing hundreds of students to take part in hands-on projects each day also has an impact on Goose Creek High’s core academic classes, said Sherri Scoggins, the school’s career specialist. Welding students who use fire to mold steel or architectural design students who use complicated mathematical equations to create blueprints “see the relevance of why they need chemistry or geometry for their chosen line of work,” Scoggins said. It gives students who are at risk of dropping out a reason to attend class every day, she said.
Berkeley is the only school district in the Lowcountry that has pursued a full-fledged comprehensive high school concept, with career and technical education classes available on the same campus as academic courses. In Charleston County, the Garrett Academy of Technology is the only vocational school. In Dorchester County, many students travel to the Career and Technology Center for masonry, automotive repair and cosmetology.
Ten years ago, Berkeley County moved away from separate vocational centers and added career and technology wings to its existing high schools. That shift opened hands-on courses to a larger group of students, some of whom start with only a casual interest, said Gwen Scarborough, the district’s school-to-career coordinator.
Burgsteiner began Goose Creek’s welding class in 1998, and he has added machines every year. In addition to using traditional torches, the welding students have access to a plasma-cutting machine, which cuts sheets of steel with laserlike precision. Students create a variety of items, including backyard grills and signs for local businesses, and they often sell finished products to fund trips to state competitions. Graduates who spend two years in welding can obtain jobs with starting pay of $17 per hour.
Carmack’s wildlife table has attracted a new level of attention for the popular program. The 4-foot-by-4-foot glass-top table boasts smooth edges and stands about 3 feet high. The four steel chairs, painted black, feature animal silhouettes of rams, deer, birds and wolves.
Carmack, who once had no plans for the future, envisioned and completed the entire project. Since first setting foot in Goose Creek High’s welding shop, he’s participated in a co-op program at Master Sheet Metal and spent a summer in New Mexico welding walls for a new nuclear testing lab. Instead of taking study hall, Carmack returns to the shop every day to serve as a teaching assistant for first-year welding students. He’s applying for a scholarship to attend the 60-week NASCAR Technical Institute in North Carolina, where he’ll learn to manufacture stock cars.
Scarborough said Carmack’s story shows the importance of providing students with a strong direction and a career-based focus.
“He’s a shining star,” she said. “But that’s what can happen when a student is able to find his niche.”
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