FFA Holds Annual Banquet

Continuing in a tradition started in 1946, the advisors and officers of the Columbia FFA chapter hosted its annual banquet to celebrate, remember, and reflect on the year's events.  The traditional banquet was held in the Rock Bridge High School commons and featured a potluck supper and chapter meeting.

The Columbia FFA chapter has over 180 members and has sent more competitors to national competition than any chapter in the state for the past four years.  As evidenced by outgoing president Tory Chasteen's speech, FFA has become a way of life for many of its members.  Chasteen struggled to keep his composure while reminicisng on his experiences and offering advice to underclassman.

The banquet included the induction of new officers, the giving of four scholarhips, and the recognition of the top 25 point-earners, who will be rewarded with a camping trip to Johnson Shut-Ins next week.  FFA students also recognized Amelia Fagiolo, guidance counselor at the career center, as an honorary advisor.

CACC instructors Chuck Miller, Larry Henneke, Kevin Duncan, and Sherie Rodekohr are FFA advisors.

Benton Fifth Graders Visit CACC

The Columbia Area Career Center hosted 33 Benton Elementary fifth graders to a STEM showcase last Thursday to wrap up the inaugural year of Columbia Public School's first science, technology, engineering, and mathematics focused school.

Students in Annie Arnone's class rebuilt computers, designed bridges, programmed robots, and solved a mystery using scientific methods--among many other activities.  CACC instructor Christine Roberson coordinated the event that included a pizza lunch and a tour of our Health Professions, Culinary, Safety & Security, and Horticulture programs.

Click here to access the Columbia Tribune article written about the STEM experience and take a look below for photos!

Geospatial Students Launch Weather Balloon to Capture Images

Mom: "So, my child, what did you do at school today?"
CACC Student: "Well, Mom, we attached a very expensive camera to a very expensive helium balloon, launched it 300 feet in the air, and maneuvered it over the entire career center to capture an aerial view of our facilities."
Mom: "Wowza."

And so might have gone a student/parent conversation after our geospatial class did just that.  Twice.

Check out the photos!

DECA Students Perform Well at Nationals

Hickman and Rock Bridge DECA students attended the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) from April 27 through May 2 in Salt Lake City, UT. The following students earned their spots at State CDC in March. Those attending included:

Spencer Claiborne

Annamarie Van Doren

Michael Richardson

Syad Ejaz

Rachael Volmert

Kaitlyn Robertson

Michael Fentress

Shane Kuse

Alex Gregory

Harry Schauwecker

Michael Fentress finished in the Top 10 in one role play earning a medal for that event. 

Excellent job!

CACC Hosts Outstanding Student Ceremony

2012 Oustanding Student Nominees

The Columbia Area Career Center hosted its annual Outstanding Student Ceremony last Thursday at Mizzou's Jesse Hall Auditorium.  One hundred twenty-five students participated in the rigorous selection, portfolio, and interview process that is intended to recognize the hardest working and highest achieving students at CACC.

First, a pool of students are nominated by their teachers in each program at the career center, and then asked to develop a resume and essay for submission.  Then, students are interviewed from personnel from the University of Missouri and ranked against other students in the same program area.  Based upon those scores and teacher input, one student is selected as the outstanding student for that program area.  All students who participated in interviews are invited to the ceremony with the winner announced on stage.

CACC also announced the winners of three scholarships at the ceremony.  Michael Pisano won the Arden Boyer Stephens Scholarship.  He plans to go to Truman state and major in Biology.  Austin Cunningham is our first recipient for the Big O Tire Scholarship.  He plans to go to Linn State in the Automotive Technology program.  Austin Allen won the Hummert Horticulture Award and plans to attend the University of Missouri and pursue a degree in Agribusiness Management.

Arden Boyer-Stephens, Michael Pisano, and Michelle Shepard
2012 Arden Boyer-Stephens Scholarship 

Sherie Rodekhor and Austin Allen
2012 Hummert Horticulture Award

Melanie Coats, Austin Cunningham, and Rusty Coats
2012 Big O Tire Scholarship

Healthcare Professions Students Earn CNA Certificate

Thirty-four CACC seniors walked across the Jesse Hall stage on Tuesday to accept their Certified Nursing Assistant certificate and pin in a ceremony recognizing over 75 hours of curriculum instruction, more than 100 clinical hours, and the training necessary to begin a profession right out of high school.

"To give our students the opportunity to earn their CNA in high school is priceless," said Health Professions instructor and registered nurse Monica Duemmel.  "They now have the experience to enter the workforce or continue their education in the medical field."

Curriculum instruction was given by Duemmel and Janice Barnes and held at the career center, complete with a model lab and simulator mannequin.  In preparation for their clinical hours, students learned basic care of the elderly like bathing, shaving, and nail care.  They split their clinical hours between two long-term care facilities in Columbia, South Hampton and Lenoir.

"We became close to the residents because we saw them every other day," said Rock Bridge senior Kayla McGee.  "We listened to their stories and learned about their lives."

During the ceremony, awards were given to those students who had perfect clinical attendance, academic excellence, and a fearless personality.  A refreshment and punch reception followed the ceremony.

Take a moment to look through the names of our very deserving students and some photos of the event!

CNA Class of 2012

Mandilyn Anglin                             Melissa Beutenmiller                           Malcolm Bush

Faith Curry                                    Misty Demsich                                    Ryan Edington

Jessica Ginter                               Juanita Hardaway                               Kelsey Harmon

Jessie Hendren                             Jamie Hinners                                     Mary-Margaret Iles

Caitlin Infield                                  Raven Johnson                                   Natalie Kroninger

Alexis Lacy                                    Adriane Long                                       Keyana Mann

Jordon McGaughey                       Kayla McGee                                       Avery Mitchell

Sarah Moore                                 Rebecca Nowlin                                  Erika Overbeck                        

LaQuita Prather                            Arianna Prince                                     Nicole Shipee

Patrice Sims                                 Haley Smith                                         Sarah Sultan

Arielle Trickel                                Wendy Trimble                                    Shari Westhoelter

Olivia Zhang

2012 Award Winners

Students ready to begin the ceremony

Perfect Clinical Attendance:

Arianna Prince

Nicole Shippee

Melissa Beutenmiller

Mary-Margaret Iles

Caitlin Infield

Natalie Kroninger

Adriane Long

Highest CNA Written Exam Score:

Mary-Margaret Iles

Sarah Sultan

Ryan Edington

Sarah Moore

Best Clinical Partner:

Jessie Hendren

Avery Mitchell

Student watch a montage video of the year

Mary-Margaret Iles

Most Fearless:

Arianna Prince

Jaunita Hardaway

Alexis Lacy

Omelet Fundraiser a Success

Last weekend, our Culinary Arts team put on an omelet fundraiser to help send two CACC student to Skills USA National Competition.  Will Kinney (culinary) and Mallory Barnes (baking) will make their way to the competition in late June.  The fundraiser was held at the Columbia Farmers Market on Saturday and the North Arts District on Sunday with many CACC students joining the efforts.  The students used only local ingredients to prepare the omelets.

Take a look at some photos below!

CACC students Chormaic Sullivan, Jack Vornholt, Taylor Parker and Will Kinney

CACC students Casie Levy, Andrew Silvey, Cameron Grahl, and Jason Elder

CACC Culinary Instructors Carri Risner, Brook Harlan and Jeff Rayl