Repair It Forward donates computers to Great Circle

David Hopkins and Repair It Forward are at it again. This time Great Circle is the recipient. The computers were refurbished through Columbia Area Career Center's Repair It Forward program, which rebuilds donated machines and provides them to local non-profit groups. The five laptops were donated by Missouri Employers Mutual as they phase out old and roll out new laptops for their employees.

“The Repair It Forward program is a great way for us to ensure that our donated computers are in good working condition and have been properly configured before they reach their new home” says Mike Teter, IT Resource and Performance Manager for MeM.  “It’s a fantastic program that benefits both students learning new skills and those in our community who are in need of access to technology.”

Great Circle is a premier provider of specialized behavioral health programs whose highly-trained professionals serve thousands of children and families in Missouri. Susan Reeves, Director of Advancement for Great Circle, is thankful for the donation. “The gift of refurbished laptops increases Great Circle's capacity to transform vulnerable lives by equipping our youth care supervisors with advanced technology that allows for more efficient 24-hour staff scheduling ”, says Reeves.  

David Hopkins, CACC A+ IT instructor,  Jessica Luster, Great Circle Supervisor, MIke Teter, MeM IT Resource Manager and Pranav Patel, Repair It Forward student representative

Big O Tire IPad Giveaway

A big thank you to Rusty and Melanie Coats of Big O Tires, Partner in Education for Columbia Area Career Center, for their generous donation of the IPad Air awarded to Gentry Middle School 8th grader Greta Scheidt. Scheidt attended Columbia Area Career's December 3rd Career Showcase  where she completed a "fact finding" sheet which was entered into a drawing for an IPad Air.  The open house for prospective students and their families was a chance to explore the opportunities career center classes provide and to find out how to fit them into their high school 4 year plan. To make it easier for families to attend, Rusty and Melanie Coats prepared and served dinner to over 350 faculty, students and attendees at the Showcase. 

CACC Counselor Ellen Buechler and Greta Scheidt accepting her new IPad Air

DESE Career Counselor, Janet Bagby, Gentry Counselor, Katherine Corey, Greta Scheidt,
 Assistant Principal Linda Garner, and CACC Counselor Ellen Buechler

Middle School students win iTunes Cards

All Columbia Public School 8th graders were introduced to Columbia Area Career Center classes when they visited the high schools they will be attending next year. This event allowed students to experience a day in high school which included tours of the building by local high school students and demonstrations by career center students. Traditionally, 8th graders complete a 4 year plan of study in preparation for entering high school and selecting courses in which to enroll.  Following the event, each student completed a survey. One survey was drawn from each middle school and the winner received  a $25 iTunes Gift Card, donated by Partner in Education, Big O Tires.
The winners were as follows:

Jefferson Middle School-Tami Farmington, Ellen Buechler, Riley Kearns and Greg Caine

Lange Middle School-Carey Hughes, Jordan Wingate and Belinda Woods-Galbreath

Smithton Middle School- Paige Travis was the winner

West Middle School-Kecia Reddick, Ellen Buechler, Amanda Taylor and Ella Boyt

Gentry Middle School-Janet Bagby, Jackson McCallister and Katherine Corey

Oakland Middle School-Doug Harl, Brianna Black and Nawassa Logan

"I Can" Breakfast Held at Reynolds Alumni Center

The "I Can" Award ceremony  was held November 11, 2015 at the Reynolds Alumni Center on the University of Missouri campus. Students receiving this honor exemplify the career center expectations of positive attitude, reliability, professionalism, initiative, responsibility, respect, integrity and gratitude as recognized by their teacher or peers. Each honoree and their family were invited to attend the breakfast ceremony where the student received a certificate and gift of recognition by Columbia Area Career Centers's Partner in Education, MU Operations.

Photos from the event can be viewed on CACC's Facebook page.

Congratulations to the "I Can"  recipients:

Battle High School

Sean Allen
Gus Andrews
Breanna Anich
Charles Bever
Timothy Brooks
Ysabelle Drage
Quinn Dubinski
Thomas Fenner
Allysha Holder
D"Anthony Kemp
Garrett Klenke
Robert Lopez
Lydia Martinez
Ryan Rainey 
Kham Thang
Alijah Thompson
Collin Walsh

Hickman High School

Cameron Bopp
Rachel Byerly-Duke
Rich Dao
Nancy Diallo
Mariah Doss
Miles Fogle
Avery Gorden
Bailey Hawkins
Taryn Johnson
Cheeyoung Kaylen
Inga Kokic
Hunter Lunceford
Jerica Mahaney
Laura Marulanda
Alexis Miller
Eric Osterkamp
Halie Scott
Sierra Smith
Amanda Sun
Mackenzie Thomas
Wyatt Thompson
Anabel Throckmorton
Maria Turner
Hunter Wayland

Rock Bridge High School
Dy-Dreonte Buchanan
Siddhant Chaurasia
Madison Cleeton
Wesley Cosby
Claire Dinwiddie
Keely Elsbury
Chase Ford
Blaine Forshee
Mary Gadbois
Christopher Gray
Brendan Greenplate
Bailey Grieshaber
Sergey Gruzdev
Anna Hickman
Allyson Hill
Emma Jacaway
Nichole Karasiuk
Abdurrahman Kikhia
Jessica Krekeler
Ann Lottes
Tess Lovig
Emerson McNamee
Cedar Nelson
Dzung Nguyen
Sean Packard
Joyce Park
Pranavkumar Patel
Grant Powell
Caleb Rhodenbaugh
Adrian Riley
Louise Schul
John Seina
Meagan Shelby
Yusuf Shoune
Seth Smith
Stephanie Tarr
Madison Towns
Matthew Vincent
Tyler Wilson
Audrey Wooden
Richard Wyatte

Home School

Benjamin Scott

Christian Fellowship

William Eiffert

Hallsville High School

Jadon KIlpack
Alex Wimer

Wildlife, Conservation and Forestry students help plant the Battle Elementary Kindness Tree

   

Students from Meridith Haley's Wildlife, Conservation and Forestry class at Battle High School together with Scott Keith of MU Landscape Division assisted in the planting of the Battle Elementary Kindness Tree. The Kindness Tree program was started to bring awareness and commitment to  children's mental, emotional and physical health.

Columbia Area Career Center and their partner in education,  MU Operations, joined forces to assist in the various elements of the project. The wildlife students planted the Butterfly Magnolia, the official tree of the Kindness Tree project and  CACC Graphic Design students, Michelle Algya and Rebecca Stannard designed the program and invitation. This is the second Kindness Tree event they have collaborated on.

At the dedication ceremony on November 20, Columbia Mayor, Bob Mc David recounted the history and the purpose of the Kindness Tree initiative; CACC Director Randy Gooch commented on the partnership between CACC and MU Operations; the 3rd, 4th and 5th choir performed a song about peace; Principal Jeri Petri remarked how the students observed Kindness as the character trait of the month in preparation for the dedication of the Kindness Tree. Muriel Battle Browder, daughter of Eliot Battle, offered her thoughts on the dedication of the Kindness Tree at the elementary school that bears her father's name.The program finished up with members of the student council reading poems about Kindness.

Scott Keith from MU Landscaping instructs students in tree planting

Students back fill the Butterfly Magnolia Tree

Students water the Butterfly Magnolia tree

Scott Keith and Meridith Haley's Wildlife class pose with the Kindness Tree

Mayor McDavid speaks to the crowd

Career Center director Randy Gooch

Battle Elementary Choir

The unveiling of the Kindness Tree plaque

"A single act of kindness can change a life forever"

FFA Poultry and Meats teams compete in Louisville

Congratulations to the 2015 Poultry  and Meat Evaluation  Teams  and their advisor, Kevin Duncan from Columbia Area Career Center for finishing 2nd and 6th respectively in their Career Development Events at the 88th National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky October 29-30, 2015.

The National FFA Poultry Evaluation CDE is a competitive event that tests the participant's ability to select top quality poultry and poultry products needed for successful production and marketing. Event participants must complete a written exam on poultry management, evaluate classes of live birds for egg and meat production, evaluate quality of eggs, and evaluate and identify parts and products. Each team competed at local and state levels for the privilege of representing their state at the National FFA Convention & Expo.

The top ten individuals and the national winning team members received cash awards to recognize their success in the event. The cash awards and the poultry evaluation event are sponsored by Newly Weds Foods, Tyson Foods, Inc and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association as a special project of the National FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization.

This event was held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.

Representing Columbia Area Career Center's 2nd place national team were:

• Katie Weir-4th place individual
• Andrew Cunningham-5th place individual
• Mariah Murphy-8th place individual
• Asa Linneman 

Kevin Duncan, Mariah Murphy, Katie Weir, Asa Linneman and Andrew Cunningham

The National FFA Meats Evaluation and Technology CDE is a competitive event that test students' skills and competencies in evaluating and identifying meat carcasses and products. Event components include a general knowledge exam; beef carcass evaluation; identification of wholesale and retail cuts of beef, lamb and pork; quality and yield grading of beef carcasses; a team meat merchandising event; and solving of a meat formulation problem. Each team has competed on the local and state levels to earn the privilege of representing their state at the National FFA Convention & Expo.

The top ten individuals and the national winning team members received cash awards to recognize their success in the event. The cash awards and the event are sponsored by Cargill Meat Solutions, Hormel Foods Corporation, Kraft Heinz Company-Oscar Mayer Division and Tyson Foods, Inc as a special project of the National FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization. 

The event was held at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY.

Representing Columbia Area Career Center's 6th place national team were:

• Austin Dehaven-7th place individual
• Robert Schmidt-8th place individual
• Rory James
• Kassie Rankin

Kevin Duncan, Rory James, Kassie Rankin, Robert Schmidt and Austin Dehaven

Career Center students participate in Bradford Farm Tomato Festival

                    

The College of Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri hosted the 11th annual Tomato Festival held at Bradford Farm Research Center, September 3, 2015. Visitors were able to taste over 100 varieties of tomatoes as well as sample products made from tomatoes grown on the Bradford Research Farm.  CACC Culinary students Giovanni Bartolacci, Lexi Miller, Chloe Sage, Taylor Moreau and Malcom Boone were among the local chefs who prepared dishes for the audience to sample. Giovanni Bartolacci, made a smoked tomato gazpacho with a balsamic reduction. Lexi Miller made a deconstructed bruschetta with ground cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and honey balsamic reduction. The students visited Bradford Farm prior to the festival to select their ingredients and brought them back to Columbia Area Career Center to prep them for the event. Guests attending the tasting who registered were given tickets to vote for their favorite prepared dish.
Columbia FFA was also on hand to assist with parking duties.

Taylor Moreau, Culinary Instructor Katie Frink, Malcolm Boone and Giovanni Bartolacci

Chloe Sage, Lexi Miller and Taylor Moreau

Columbia FFA member, Lily Grant directs cars at the Tomato Festival

Repair It Forward Donates Computers to Love, INC

The Repair It Forward Program and Love, INC have partnered again to provide computers to those in need.

Repair It Forward is a computer recycling program based at Columbia Area Career Center. Students enrolled in the A+IT Essentials class rebuild computers donated by area residents and provide them to those who do not have access to a personal computer.

Love, INC, a local faith-based charity, provides a variety of goods and assistance to the underserved. The group identifies gaps in services in Columbia, and works to partner with volunteers, churches and agencies to address those needs.

"Love, INC of Columbia has been very fortunate to receive this donation...and our clients are so grateful when they receive these computers. We could not offer this service without the generous donations of Columbia Area Career Center," said Mary Wardenburg of Love, INC.

This is the second computer donation that Repair It Forward has made to Love, INC. Since it's 2014 inception, more than two dozen local businesses and charities have been involved in providing more than 150 computers to those in need.

Career Center instructor, David Hopkins points out that Repair It Forward relies on public donations to keep moving forward. If you have a computer, laptop or tablet you are interested in donating, please drop it off at Columbia Area Career Center, 4203 S. Providence Road or contact David at dhopkins@cpsk12.org .



Students load computers into Love, INC truck

Refurbished computers being donated to Love, INC

Career Center students attend University of Missouri Teach Ag Academy

The Department of Agricultural Education and Leadership in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri recently held a three day Teach Ag Academy. The Academy is for high school students interested in becoming Agricultural Education teachers. Twenty students statewide were selected to be a part of the Academy. Battle High School seniors, Lily Grant and Thomas Fenner from the Columbia FFA participated in the event.

Participants interacted with Mizzou faculty, Montgomery County Ag Ed Instructor Jonathan Hoer, CAFNR Coordinator of Student Services Laura Denker, and DESE Director of Agricultural Education Leon Busdieker. Students experienced what it is like to be an Ag instructor through lessons from the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education and demonstrated their own teaching skills by teaching to their peers. By staying in dorms, students had the chance to experience the University of Missouri campus atmosphere and received a behind the scenes peak at Mizzou athletics.

 Agricultural Education continues to grow in the state of Missouri and across the nation. Academies like the one at the University of Missouri are an example of how a concerted effort is in place to recruit, develop, and retain great teachers in agriculture. 

Morgan Borts, Lily Grant, Clara Knipp and Jaelyn Bergmann

Morgan Borts, Thomas Fenner, Clara Kniff and Jaelyn Bergmann

Students hear speakers talk about teaching Agriculture

SkillsUSA National Culinary Contest Results

We are extremely proud to announce the results from the SkillsUSA Awards Ceremony at the national contest in Louisville.

Jerry Jo, 2015 Hickman High School graduate, placed first in the SkillsUSA Culinary Arts national competition, and Jacob Knerr, 2015 Columbia Home Educators graduate, placed fourth in the SkillsUSA Commercial Baking national competition for high school students.

Jerry was awarded with a full four-year scholarship to many of the country’s top culinary schools. Jacob was awarded a partial scholarship to the same schools. Jo and Knerr will continue their education at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

Jerry Jo and Jacob Knerr

Students attend 2015 HOSA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California

Fourteen students and two adivsors attended the 2015 HOSA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California, June 24-27.

Congratulations to the students who placed in the following competitions:

•  Emily Getzoff  (CACC HOSA) Silver Medalist in the Transcultural Health Care Knowledge Test
•  Bryanna Arnold (HHS HOSA) Top Ten finisher in the Transcultural Health Care Knowledge Test
•  Marilise Stamps (CACC HOSA)  Top Ten finisher in the Nutrition Knowledge Test. 

Additionally, the Biomedical Debate team reached the second round of  competition. This is the furthest our HOSA debate team has ever advanced.  All the students dedicated their time and energy in preparing for the competitions throughout the school year.  Each student demonstrated outstanding professionalism and leadership throughout the week of the National Conference.  The HOSA advisors are extremely proud of both their conduct and their accomplishments.

HOSA is a national student organization recognized by the US Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE.  HOSA's goal is to encourage all health science instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HSE-HOSA Partnership.

Columbia Public Schools have three current active HOSA Chapters, HOSA Hickman, HOSA Battle and HOSA Columbia Area Career Center.

HOSA advisors are Monical Duemmel, Christine Roberson, Deb Canine, Karen Hirst, Michael Giblin and Bobby Horn.

Columbia FFA Grasslands team finishes first at National Competition

Rory James, Joe Ege, Kassie Rankin and Asa Linneman




 

Congratulations to Columbia FFA Grasslands team for finishing first at the 16th Annual Mid-America Grasslands Evaluation Contest held in Springfield, Missouri, June 2-3, 2015. This highly competitive event which teaches integrated use and management of grassland resources is sponsored by the Missouri Forage and Grassland Council in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation, University of Missouri Extension and the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The event begins with a practice contest, allowing the students to work through the various stations-soil interpretation, plant identification, wildlife habitat,  grassland condition and plant identification to get a feel for the test and ask questions.

The actual contest occurs the following day at a designated location. After competing, each section of the contest is reviewed on site with the announcement of the final placing made official at the awards banquet that evening.

Besides placing first overall as a team, three individuals also placed in the top three spots with their individual scores:

1st place individual-Rory James
2nd place individual-Joe Ege
3rd place individual- Kassie Rankin

The team is coached by Ag Instructor, Meridith Haley.

52 students were certified at the 2015 CNA Pinning Ceremony held May 12 at Jesse Hall on the University of Missouri campus. The students enroll in an intensive two semester program and complete 175 hours of classroom instruction and clinicals. To complete certification, each student must pass the Missouri Certified Nursing Assistant written exam and practicum.

Clinicals were conducted at Lutheran Senior Services Lenoir nursing facility and staff members/mentors were honored for their ongoing service and contributions to the Professions in Healthcare program.

Instructors Monica Duemmel and Deb Canine recognized award recipients and then pinned their respective students.

Perfect Attendance Awards:
Rose Begemann
Erika Herting
Haylie Taylor
Kelsey Ham
Daisy Mendez
Taylor Cunningham
Amina Celebic
Amina Golbejic
Jalyssa Hardaway
Prarthana Patel
Maria Lagunas
Yahali Sandoval
Mariya Zagonenko

Highest CNA Exam Scores:
Donna Hernandez
Prarthana Patel
Kayla Ballenger
Autumn McCoy

Best Clinical Student as voted by their Peers
Kayla Ballenger
Rebecca Johnson
Tyra Brisco
Cheyenne Smith
Sierra Smith
Stacy Christmas
Amina Gobeljic
Prarthana Patel

Missouri HOSA Nursing Assisting Recognition
Janavi Patel
Samantha Saylor



Austin Roderick, Cheyeen Smith, Kendyl Boone and Amina Golbeljic read excerpts from the life of Florence Nightingale, the creator of modern nursing and then all students recited the Nursing Pledge as the flame representing "The Lady with the Lamp" was passed.

Students, family, friends and staff enjoyed a Powerpoint presentation compiled by Jeff Cochran's Leadership media class highlighting events and experiences of student throughout the year.  A reception followed in the auditorium lobby.

Congratulations to all participants in Professions in Healthcare class of 2015.

McAllister Internship student named

The Division of IT with Mizzou had the pleasure of knowing and working with Andy McAllister who is an Alum of Rock Bridge High School. Andy passed away last year and a group of his friends, who were Rock Bridge High School graduates as well, created a paid internship in the area of Information Technology for students of Rock Bridge.

As a student, Andy McAllister was known for his quick wit and dry sense of humor. Often referred to as “the kid with the camera,” his list of photo credits was long, with countless submissions to

yearbooks and the school paper. An exemplary student and citizen was Andy as he walked the halls.  Andy succumbed to a lengthy battle with cancer in November of 2014 and it is in his honor that this Internship is established. Andy may not have been the most popular kid, but he’s a Bruin that made us all proud. 

We are pleased to announce that Grant Powell has accepted the internship for the summer 2015!  Grant will be a senior at RBHS during the 2015-2016 school year.  He has completed several IT courses at CACC; Digital Media, A+ IT Essentials and Information Technology 1.  In addition to his classwork, he was also a silver medalist in the 2015 Skills USA competition.  Grant is interested in exploring all aspects of networking, including hardware installation and configuration.  He will be working with the MU Data Network team as they upgrade the wireless infrastructure on campus.

Grant Powell, 2015 McAllister Intern

 

Kindness Tree planted at Columbia Area Career Center

CACC Director Randy Gooch welcomes the audience
to the ceremony

Friday, May 1, 2015 staff from Columbia Area Career Center, members of the Partner In Education committee from MU Operations and Columbia Chamber of Commerce were on hand to dedicate the Kindness Tree. The intent of the Kindness Tree  initiative is to bring attention to mental health awareness and provide a peaceful sanctuary for students to enjoy and contemplate acts of kindness.  This was the 50th  tree to be planted as a continuation of the Children's Grove project chaired by Anne Deaton and Susan McDavid as a way of showing the community's commitment to children's mental, emotional and physical health, happiness and safety.
The collaboration began with the assistant director of MU Landscape Services teaching the CACC Landscape students how to select a healthy tree from a local nursery. The students planted the Butterfly Magnolia tree at the southwest entrance of CACC. The Ag Welding and Fabrication students constructed a bench that stands beside the tree. Graphic Design students Kylie Renwick and Robin Haithcoat worked in conjunction with the MU professional staff to design the invitations and program for the event. The dedication sign reads,  "A single act of kindness can change a life forever" and serves as a reminder of the responsibility we have to one another to act kindly toward each other and the impact that a single act can have on others. Pete Millier, Director MU Botanical Garden read the proclamation issued by Columbia Mayor, Robert Mc David proclaiming May 2015 as a month to emphasize "a single act of kindness can change a life forever."

The unveiling of the dedication plaque by Randy Gooch and Pete Millier

"A Single Act of Kindness can Change a Life Forever"

Kylie Renwick invitation design

Robin Haithcoat invitation design

Robin Haithcoat program design

Graphic Design student Robin Haithcoat and instructor Sandy Morrow

Columbia Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors officially dedicate
the Kindness Tree with a ribbon cutting