Columbia FFA Competes at 85th National FFA Convention

Columbia FFA took 5 teams to compete at the 85th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN, October 24-27.  CDE teams in Forestry, Landscape/Nursery, Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems, Environmental and Natural Resources and Poultry Evaluation competed and all earned gold emblem status. Congratulations to the FFA members and advisors on this great accomplishment. Results are listed below:

Poultry Evaluation  1^st Place

Advisor Kevin Duncan

Kaitlin Epperson (RBHS) 2^nd place individual

Maddie Grant (RBHS) 3^rd place individual

Loyal Carpenter (HHS) 4^th place individual

Brooke Eaton (RBHS)

Forestry  1^st Place

 Advisor Larry Henneke

Benjamin Carpenter (HHS) 2^nd place individual

Stephen Bennett (RBHS) 3^rd place individual

Tory Chasteen (RBHS) 4^th place individual

Quinn Pestle (RBHS)

Environmental and Natural Resources  5^th Place

Advisor Larry Henneke

Jordan Craig (RBHS)

Julia Matera (RBHS)-8^th place individual

Grant Gould (RBHS)

Iain Gould (RBHS)

Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems  6^th Place

Advisor Larry Henneke

Sam Crader (RBHS)

Josh McKinley (RBHS)

James Farris (RBHS)

Austin Cunningham (RBHS)

Nursery/Landscape  5^th Place

Advisor Larry Henneke

Katie Dirks (RBHS)

Taylor Forsythe (HHS)

Kelly Wilsdorf (HHS)

Kira Kirk (RBHS) 4th place individual

CACC student wins "Young Entrepreneurs Award"

Startup Weekend is a  grassroots movement that can be found in over 200 cities around the world.  People are coming together for weekend long workshops to pitch ideas, form teams, and start companies.  Columbia hosted a Startup Weekend event from Friday, September 28 through Sunday, September 30. 

Two Douglass High School Students, A’ijania Christian and Frits Berends,  presented their idea for a new diner with electronic ordering at dining tables.  Frits, also a CACC IT Internship student, and A’ijania wowed the judges with their concept and were awarded the “Young Entrepreneurs Award.”  Congratulations to both of these enterprising young leaders!

FFA Grassland Team Finishes First in State

Thursday, October 18, 2012 Columbia FFA Grassland team comprised of Hickman senior, Sarah Darr, Rock Bridge junior Lainyn Kerley, Rock Bridge senior Kira Kirk and Rock Bridge junior Isabelle Mitchell finished first in the state, beating out 30 teams. High individual overall was Sarah Darr. A second team of Columbia students competed in the 4-H division. Taking top honors in the 4-H division were Alan Perry, Hickman senior, Grant Gould, Rock Bridge junior, Kassie Rankin, Hickman sophomore and Andrew Yount, Rock Bridge senior. High individual in the 4-H class was Grant Gould, with Alan Perry finishing second high overall.

The teams are now eligible to compete in the Mid America Grassland Contest to be held in Springfield, Missouri in June 2013 as well as compete at the 2013 FFA National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky as an Environmental and Natural Resource CDE. Larry Henneke states Columbia has won the state contest 14 out of the 16 years he has advised them as a  team.

Sarah Darr, Kira Kirk, Lainyn Kerley, Isabelle Mitchell and Larry Henneke

Grant Gould, Alan Perry, Kassie Rankin, Andrew Yount and Larry Henneke

Sarah Darr, High Individual Overall FFA

Grant  Gould, High Individual 4-H, Alan Perry 2nd High Individual 4-H

CACC students acheive Siemens Regional Finalist and Semifinalist status

The Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology announced 93 students from 25 states as regional finalists.  Two of those 93 are Artryo Ghosh, RBHS senior and former CACC C++ student in Mr. Nathaniel Graham’s computer science program and Katelyn Race, RBHS senior and CACC Laboratory Technology student in Mrs. Roberson’s program.  Charles Shang, RBHS senior and CACC Computer Science student was recognized by the Foundation as one of 322 semifinalists.

Regional finalists receive a $1,000 scholarship and the chance to compete at one of six events held in November.  One individual regional winner will receive a $3,000 prize and a team will be awarded a $6,000 prize.

George Washington University in Washington, D.C. will host the final competition in December.  Among the top prizes at the competition are two $100,000 scholarships from the Siemens  Foundation.  Best wishes to Artryo and Katelyn as they continue to compete in  “the nation’s premier research competition for high school students.”

CACC DECA members attend Fall Leadership Conference

Defined as “Missouri’s Finest” by the hotel management, 600 DECA delegates converged on the Lodge of Four Seasons for their Fall Leadership conference held October 14 and 15. CACC students from Rock Bridge and Hickman represented their  CACC chapter to network with other marketing students, attend leadership workshops and vote for DECA state officers.

DECA’s mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.  State Advisor, Linda Krehbiel received praise for the professional conduct they exhibited throughout the entire weekend. Guests and staff at the Lodge noted how polite, well mannered, neat and professionally dressed the delegates were.

The theme this year is “Strive 2 Thrive”. Delegates were inspired by keynote and motivational speaker Judson Laipply, most noted for his “Evolution of Dance” video.

Katlyn, Robertson, Olivia Mends, Rose Baka and Abigail Hake

Gage Keisling presenting CACC's marketing pitch in the game "Pitch It". The pitch won first place.

Gage Kiesling, Trent Powell, Olivia Mends, Katlyn Robertson, Matt Bush, Jennifer Judlow, and Mark David

MAC Scholar Coordinator tours CACC

MAC Scholars Coordinator, Annelle Whitt, J.D., officially toured Columbia Area Career Center on October 16, 2012 for the first time.  Director Linda Rawlings extended the invitation in an effort to form a collaborative relationship to ensure all students are aware of the offerings available through Career Center courses. Courses are currently housed on the Hickman, Rock Bridge and Career Center campuses.  Battle will also provide offerings when they open. 

After a whirlwind tour covering the 120,000 square foot campus, Ms. Whitt commented how proud she was to see MAC Scholars engaged in CACC classes.  Her final stop was an introduction to the FIRST Robotics team’s 2012 competition robot, “Ball2D2” who offered Ms. Whitt an “Army Ants” cupcake and a basketball shooting demonstration.  John Sabath, Army Ants Control Systems team member, drove the bot and shared how his involvement has expanded his skills in Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM).  Mrs.Whitt remarked  "Every student has a gift, and those gifts are as diverse as our student population. CACC provides a great opportunity for students to explore those gifts. As the MAC Scholars Coordinator for CPS, I am proud to partner with CACC to help pave the way."

John Sabath, Ms. Whitt, Dr. Lyman, Mrs. Buechler and  CACC director Linda Rawlings watch robotics demonstration

Ms. Whitt accepts a gift from robotics club advisor Dr. Lyman and "Ball2D2"

CACC students visit MACC

Friday, October 19, 2012, forty CACC students from Ashland, Hallsville, Hickman, and Rock Bridge toured Moberly Area Community College. The students represented an array of CACC courses: A+ IT, Computer-Aided Design, Computer Programming, Digital Media/Graphic Design, Teaching Professions, Intro to Health Occupations, Professions in Healthcare, Web Design, and Welding. The trip included a short visit to the Columbia Campus at Parkade Center before arriving at the main campus in Moberly. On the agenda was a tour of the campus followed by lunch, a presentation from Student Services, and visits to program areas of interest to talk with instructors. Chaperones for the day were Career Planning Specialist, Sharon Nelson and VRE, Susan Griggs. 

Dual Credit Opportunies at CACC

Dual Credit Program Experiences Record Fall Enrollment

During fall enrollment a record 198 high school students enrolled for dual college credit in career center classes for which they will earn a combined total of 692 semester hours of college credit with Central Methodist University, Missouri State University, Moberly Area Community College and the University of Central Missouri.   

Fall enrollment is the first of two enrollment periods during the 2012-2013 school year. The second enrollment opportunity will come second semester when dual credit enrollment for career center classes will open for our students with Linn State Technical College, Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri – Rolla), Stephens College and the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

There are currently 35 career center courses approved for dual college credit through our eight partnering colleges and universities. College credit for a career center class is possible when the curriculum and the competencies mastered are equivalent to those required in a particular college-level class as identified by the college or university.  Eligible students then receive both high school credit and college credit upon successful course completion.

Final grades are reflected on both the student’s high school and college transcripts. The college credit is transcripted for the student by the university whether or not the student attends that institution after high school graduation.  And the credit is transferable to other colleges and universities in Missouri and throughout the nation, if the student so chooses.  As an added bonus, college tuition for dual credit courses is usually less than half the cost of attending the course on the university campus.

For more information on dual credit opportunities available to students in career center classes, visit our website at www.career-center.org , or contact Sharon Nelson, Counselor and Dual Credit Coordinator at 214-3800, ext. 29451.

           

             

         

             

Breaking Traditions

The Breaking Traditions Program promotes and supports career development with an emphasis on Nontraditional Careers. A Nontraditional Career is an occupation in which men or women comprise 25% or less of total employment. 

 Did you know?

Women in nontraditional careers typically earn 20-30% more than woman in traditional jobs.

Over their lifetime, women in nontraditional careers will earn 150% more than women in traditional jobs.

High demand and well paid nursing occupations are nontraditional for males.  Today, only 7% of nurses are male.

What career center courses are considered Nontraditional Careers for:

Women                                                            Men

Agriculture                                             Health Science

Trade and Industrial                                Project Lead the Way - Biomedical

Project Lead the Way – Engineering

There is a Breaking Traditions Award statewide competition, recognition and scholarship. 

 For more information contact Janet Bagby at JBagby@columbia.k12.mo.us

SkillsUSA names officers

SkillsUSA's mission is to help its members become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.

Congratulations to 2012-13 SkillsUSA officers

President: Hailey King (RBHS)
Vice President: Dahnya Rogers (RBHS)
Secretary: Samantha Ding (RBHS)
Treasurer: Sean Martin (HHS)
Reporter: Joseph Gu (RBHS)
Parliamentarian: Kaleb Jacks (RBHS)

Advisors for 2012-13 are Brad Mann, Bob Allee, Laura Estabrooks, Carri Risner, Brook Harlan, Jeff Rayl, Tony Kindwall, Bill Irvin, John Green and Rick Shanks.