Top students from Northwest Technology Center attended the Business Professionals of America (BPA) 2011 National Leadership Conference, “Stand Out From the Crowd,” in Washington, DC, May 4-8, 2011.

BPA members from the Alva Campus shown in the photo are: George Herning and Misty Weber.

Northwest Technology Center chapter members, George Herning and Misty Weber joined over 5,000 other conference delegates from across the nation to participate in national level business skills competitions, and general sessions. Besides having the opportunity to excel, they experienced the history and government of our nation through Washington, DC monuments, memorials and museums. Local BPA chapter advisor also attending was Andrea Long, Business & Informational Technology instructor. The unique highlight of the conference this year was the National Leadership Conference Opening Session at the foot of the Washington Monument. All conference attendees stood together at this historic site as the first Career/Technical Student Organization to gather at the Washington Monument.

Placings were as follows:  George Herning, 3rd Place, Presentation Management Individual, and Misty Weber, Top Ten, Administrative Support.

Northwest Technology Center students enrolled in the Auto Collision Technology program on the Alva campus recently competed at the SkillsUSA State Competition earlier this month.   Travis Lehl who placed 6th in the Auto Paint and Refinishing event and to Codey Seelke who placed 2nd in Auto Collision Repair event.   

The Oklahoma SkillsUSA state conference was held in Tulsa, April 30 through May 3.   The contest events were held at participating technology centers in the Tulsa area.  The Auto Collision contests were held on the campus of OSU Okmulgee.     The winners were recognized in a ceremony held on the morning of May 3.    Students attending also participated in leadership activities and enjoyed attending the trade show for the event.   

Eight students from the Fairview area were recognized on Wednesday evening during the graduation ceremony for the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM), Fairview Regional Site.  Graduates are pictured here with OSSM Representatives and Instructors.  Picture are (back row l to r) Dan Vosson, Scott Niles, Conner Cusack, Meredith Eldridge, Kaleb Cusack, Nathan Sacket and Jon Sellars, (front row l to r) Adalee Shuck, Meagan Rhodes, Gaige Craighead and Elaine Hutchison.

The students began the program in August.  Each day they attended an AP Calculus and an AP Physics course held on the campus of Northwest Technology Center during the morning and returned to their high school for regular courses and activities in the afternoon.    Elaine Hutchison is the Calculus Instructor and Jon Sellars is the Physics Instructor.  

The graduation ceremonies were highlighted by comments from the two instructors and also from Dr. Gerald Harris, NWTC’s Assistant Superintendent at Fairview and Dan Vosson, Liason for the OSSM Regional Sites.   Two students were recognized for special accomplishments during the ceremony.   Conner Cusack was named the Outstanding Student in Physics, and Meagan Rhodes was named the Outstanding Student in Calculus.   Each of the students was presented with a completion certificate. A reception followed the ceremony. 

Conner Cusack was honored with the Outstanding Student in Physics award.   He is shown receiving the award from Jon Sellars, OSSM Physics Instructor.

Elaine Hutchison, OSSM Calculus Instructor is shown here presenting the Outstanding Student in Calculus award to Meagan Rhodes during the recent OSSM Graduation Ceremony. 

Twenty-two Northwest Technology Center students and one honorary community member were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society recently. The induction ceremony took place in the Seminar Room in front of a large crowd.   Patty Lovell, Guidance Counselor and Dr. Gerald Harris, Assistant Superintendent are the group’s current sponsors. Both secondary and post-secondary students who meet the requirements and are enrolled in Daytime Programs are eligible for membership in the organization.  

“These students demonstrated outstanding performance in their respective programs during the past year as well as meeting the stringent requirements for membership.” said Harris. “It is truly an honor for a student to be inducted into this group.  There are several standards that each student must meet including academic performance, attendance, program involvement and attitude.”

The inductees were presented with lapel pins, certificates and decals while Harris and Lovell along with Lisa Fuller, Business and Information Technology Instructor, Amy McClure, Web Development and Graphic Design Instructor, Bobby Watson, Automotive Technology Instructor, Ken Hanson, Manufacturing Technology Instructor, Debra Button, Health Careers Certification Instructor, and Jane Harris and Debbie Stubsten, who work with the Academic Career Center conducted the ceremony. 

Inductees included, Steven Adair, Anh Boren, Mary Bowen, Wendy Fitzsimmons, Jennifer Hegwood, Bryant Jackson, Alec Johannesmeyer, Chelsie Keitel and Kristina Lamberson, all adult students.   

Other inductees included: Timothy Kehn, Scott Niles, B.J. Schiska and Mason White, all Fairview High School students.   Ryan Madrid and Ethan Wichert, Home School students, Kristin Wright, Okeene High School and Sadie Woodall, an Aline-Cleo High School student were also inducted. 

Five students were recognized and inducted as returning members.  These included:  Amanda Beckner, Kenny Daykin, Kourtney Mondoux, Kristen Richardson and Jacob Stephens.  

Dean Meyer was also inducted as an Honorary Member of the Honor Society.  Meyer was recognized by Dr. Gerald Harris for his contributions and dedicated service to Northwest Technology Center for over 30 years.  Meyer has served six terms on the Northwest Technology Center Board of Education.  He has served several times as the board’s president.    Meyer and his wife, Karan live in Cleo Springs.     

Students must be nominated for membership in the National Technical Honor Society by an instructor, an advisor and an administrator. Their application must be approved by the local Chapter Advisors, the nominating instructor and a school administrator.  Students who are inducted have maintained an “A” average and have been absent for fewer than five days during the current semester. 

Other criteria include:  honesty, service, leadership, career development, academics and skilled workmanship. The purpose of the organization is to foster the pursuit of educational and career goals to develop greater awareness within our community about the talents and abilities of students engaged in career and technology education, to provide career and technology education and to provide career and technology students a greater awareness of the world of work.

Cody Rader (second from right), a senior at Alva High School placed third in the secondary division of the Auto Service Technology Contest held recently at OSU Okmulgee.  The contest was a part of the Oklahoma SkillsUSA conference held in Tulsa.   Rader is a second year student in the Auto Service Technology program at Northwest Technology Center and was one of three NWTC students in the state Auto Service Technology Competition.    Also competing in the secondary category was Robert Thomas.  Joey Tamez competed in the post-secondary contest.  

Instructor Ron Rader is shown with students Cody Rader, Joey Tamez and Robert Thomas.

The Oklahoma SkillsUSA state conference was held April 30 through May 3.   The contest events were held at participating technology centers in the Tulsa area.  The Auto Service Technology contests were held on the campus of OSU Okmulgee.     The winners were recognized in a ceremony held on the morning of May 3.    Students attending also participated in leadership activities and enjoyed attending the trade show for the event.   

Students who have already been accepted into the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) program at Northwest Technology Center in Alva for the upcoming school year include Valarie Venosdel, Alva High School; Nikolas Wagner, Cherokee High School and Carrie Wallis, Alva High School.  The group attended a short orientation session for the program.   Also pictured is Wes Reddish, OSSM instructor at Alva for Physics and Calculus and Ben Robinson, Vice President for Institutional Advancement for the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics in Oklahoma City.    Joshua Argraves, Cherokee High School, has also been accepted but was unable to attend the orientation and is not pictured.  

Students from the Alva area were recognized on Thursday evening during the graduation ceremony for the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM), Alva Regional Site.   Those students completing the program included Kari Garrett, Kevin Herren, both Alva High School seniors and Austin Garner, an Alva High School junior.

Pictured include (l to r) Ben Robinson, Kevin Herren, Austin Garner, Kari Garrett, Wes Reddish and Jane Bowen.   

The students began the program in August.  Each day they attended an AP Calculus and an AP Physics course held on the campus of Northwest Technology Center during the morning and returned to Alva High School for regular courses and activities in the afternoon.  Wes Reddish is the instructor for the program.

The graduation ceremonies were highlighted by comments from the instructor and also from Jane Bowen, NWTC’s Superintendent and Ret. Brigadier General, USAF, Ben Robinson who currently serves as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics.   Kevin Herren was recognized as the Outstanding OSSM Student. Herren had the highest score in both Calculus and Physics for the class.  Each of the students was presented with a completion certificate, academic cords and a lamp of learning.  A reception followed the ceremony.  

Jane Bowen, NWTC’s Superintendent presents, Alva High School senior, Kevin Herren with academic cords which signify his completion of the curriculum for the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics.   Herren was also recognized as the Outstanding OSSM student with the highest scores in both the physics and calculus portions of the course

Top students from Northwest Technology Center attended the Business Professionals of America (BPA) 2011National Leadership Conference, “Stand Out From the Crowd,” in Washington, DC, May 4-8, 2011. Northwest Technology Center chapter members, Amanda Beckner, Mary Bowen, Stephanie Dawson, Wendy Fitzsimmons, Kristen Richardson, and Kelli Tautfest joined over 5,000 other conference delegates from across the nation to participate in national level business skills competitions, and general sessions. Besides having the opportunity to excel, they experienced the history and government of our nation through Washington, DC monuments, memorials and museums. Local BPA chapter advisors attending were Lisa Fuller, Business & Informational Technology instructor and Amy McClure, Web Development and Graphic Design instructor.
The unique highlight of the conference this year was the National Leadership Conference Opening Session at the foot of the Washington Monument. All conference attendees stood together at this historic site as the first Career/Technical Student Organization to gather at the Washington Monument.

BPA members shown in the photo above are: Amanda Beckner, Wendy Fitzsimmons, Mary Bowen, Stephanie Dawson, Kelli Tautfest, Kristen Richardson.

Placings and events were as follows:  Mary Bowen and Wendy Fitzsimmons, 2nd Place, Presentation Management Team, Stephanie Dawson, 5th Place, Advanced Word Processing, Database Applications; Amanda Beckner and Kristen Richardson, Administrative Support Team; Kelli Tautfest, Fundamental Accounting and Payroll Accounting.

The Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) members from the Northwest Tech Fairview Campus helped with the Major County Health Fair. The members helped prepare "goody bags" for all health fair attendees. They also hosted the Bingo and Shuttle Relay games during the health fair.

HOSA members are shown above preparing "goody bags" for the Major County Health Fair.

HOSA members are shown above helping with a game during the Major County Health Fair.

HOSA members also provided chair massages during the Health Fair as shown in the photo above as well as the photo below.

Twenty-four Northwest Technology Center students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society last week. The induction ceremony took place in the Seminar Room in front of a large crowd.   Judi Shirley, Academic Career Center Coordinator, Karen Koehn, Guidance Counselor and Daren Slater, Assistant Superintendent are the group’s current sponsors. Both secondary and post-secondary students who meet the requirements and are enrolled in Daytime Programs are eligible for membership in the organization.  

Shown above are the twenty-four Northwest Technology Center Students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society last week.   They are pictured:  (back row l to r) Brayden Nixon, Eric Perrin, Crystal Reynolds, Joey Tamez, Misty Weber, Wilene Welty and David Weymouth; (middle row l to r) Erica Kopf, Chris Shafer, Cody Rader, Jennifer Appleton, Tyler Bailey, Caitlin Borders, Natosha Faucett, Kendra Foster and Alyssa Garcia; (front row l  to r) Kevin Herren, Miranda Rebarchik, Matthew Thomas, Tabitha Clapp, Kaylynn Rebarchik, Nicole Watkins, Zachary Rebarchik, and Dalton Moser. 

“These students demonstrated outstanding performance in their respective programs during the past year as well as meeting the stringent requirements for membership!” said Slater.  “It is truly an honor for a student to be inducted into this group.  There are several standards that each student must meet including academic performance, attendance, program involvement and attitude.”

The inductees were presented with lapel pins, certificates and decals. Koehn, Slater and Shirley  conducted the ceremony. 

Inductees included Caitlin Borders, Kendra Foster, Alyssa Garcia, Crystal Reynolds, Joey Tamez, Misty Weber, Wilene Welty and David Waymouth, all adult students.  .   

Other inductees included:  Natosha Faucett, Erica Kopf and Eric Perrin, all Alva High School students.

Tyler Bailey, a student at Waynoka High School and Brayden Nixon, a student at Cherokee High School were also inducted.

Eleven students were recognized and inducted as returning members.  These included Jennifer Appleton, Tabitha Clapp, Kevin Herren, Dalton Moser, Cody Rader, Kaylynn Rebarchik, Miranda Rebarchik, Zachary Rebarchik, Chris Shafer, Matthew Thomas and Nicole Watkins,    . 

Students must be nominated for membership in the National Technical Honor Society by an instructor, an advisor and an administrator. Their application must be approved by the local Chapter Advisors, the nominating instructor and a school administrator. Students who are inducted have maintained an “A” average and have been absent for fewer than five days during the current semester. 

Other criteria include:  honesty, service, leadership, career development, academics and skilled workmanship. The purpose of the organization is to foster the pursuit of educational and career goals to develop greater awareness within our community about the talents and abilities of students engaged in career and technology education, to provide career and technology education and to provide career and technology students a greater awareness of the world of work.    

The Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) members from the Fairview Campus participated in the local Adopt-a-Highway Trash Day. The students collected 20 bags of trash just two miles South of the Northwest Technology Center on Hwy 60.

The automotive industry is always looking for the best students who are studying to be service technicians, and the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition is one way to bring those students into the spotlight.  Each year, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee is the host for this statewide contest.  This year’s contest brought together juniors and seniors from 10 technology centers across Oklahoma.   

Erik Ceniceros (in middle) and Cody Rader (on right) both of Alva comprised the team representing Northwest Technology Center at the recent Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition held in Okmulgee.  The pair finished sixth in the statewide competition.   Both are enrolled in the Automotive Technology program at Northwest Technology Center.  Ron Rader (onleft) is the instructor for the program.  

AAA Oklahoma and Ford Motor Company sponsor the competition to encourage technically-minded young people to pursue careers in the automotive service industry.  Participants vie for scholarships, prizes and letters of recommendation to future employers.  The 10 teams of two students each worked in a timed event, trying to find and fix the “bugs” on identical Ford Motor Company cars.  The “bugs” -- or automotive problems -- were installed on the cars prior to the contest.  After each team found and fixed all the problems on their car, they started the car and drove it across the finish line.  Each car was then inspected for quality and accuracy of work.

Business Professionals of America students from Northwest Technology Center Fairview Campus competed in the 2011 BPA State Leadership Conference held at OSU Okmulgee on March 8 and Oral Roberts University in Tulsa on March 9. Six BPA members qualified to compete at the National Leadership Conference to be held in Washington, D.C, May 4-8. BPA chapter advisors are Lisa Fuller, Business & Informational Technology instructor and Amy McClure, Web Development and Graphic Design instructor.

BPA postsecondary students shown above are receiving awards (left to right):  Wendy Fitzsimmons,1st Presentation Management Team, 9th Desktop Publishing, Mary Bowen, 1st Presentation Management Team, 7th Desktop Publishing; Stephanie Dawson, 2nd Advanced Word Processing, 6th Database Applications; Jennifer Hegwood, 3rd Parliamentary Procedure, 9th Fundamental Accounting; Kathy Gard, 3rd Fundamental Accounting  5th Payroll Accounting, 5th Management, Marketing, HR Concepts, 6th Parliamentary Procedure; 7th Administrative Support Concepts.   Not Pictured:  Kelli Tautfest, 1st Fundamental Accounting, 6th Payroll Accounting.

BPA secondary students pictured above received awards (left to right):  Tim Kehn and B.J. Schiska, 7th Video Production Team,  Kristen Richardson and Amanda Beckner, 1st Administrative Support Team, Hector Delgado and Scott Niles, 7th Video Production Team.

Northwest Technology Center’s Manufacturing/Welding Team for won first place at the recent SkillsUSA District Contest held at Canadian Valley Technology Center, El Reno.

David Huckabee, Alva, Cale Gibson, Cherokee, and Alec Johannesmeyer, Okeene won 1st Place in the Welding Fabrication Team Event.  They will be one of eight teams competing at the State Competition on May 1, 2 in Tulsa.  The winning team of that competition will qualify for the National SkillsUSA Contest in Kansas City on June 19-25.

Students enrolled in Northwest Technology Center’s Automotive Technology program on both the Alva and Fairview campuses placed recently at the District Contest held at High Plains Technology Center in Woodward.  In the high school (secondary) category Cody Rader, a senior at Alva High School placed first and Robert Thomas, a home school student from Alva placed second.   Both Rader and Thomas will compete at the state competition in May.  

In the adult (post-secondary) category, Joey Tamez an adult student from Alva placed second, Ky Liggenstoffer, also from Alva placed third and Steven Adair, an adult student from Fairview placed fifth.   Tamez will also be competing at the state competition in May.   

The instructors for the Auto Tech program are Ron Rader on the Alva campus and Bobby Watson on the Fairview campus. 

Steven Adair placed fifth in the adult category at the District SkillsUSA contest held recently in Woodward.   He is pictured here receiving his award from Vic Terbush, instructor at High Plains Technology Center.	Four students from Northwest Technology Center’s Alva campus placed recently at the SkillsUSA District Contest held at High Plains Technology Center in Woodward.    Pictured  (l to r ) include Joey Tamez, Robert Thomas, Cody Rader and Ky Liggenstoffer.

Northwest Technology Center, Fairview Campus, hosted its annual Advisory Committee Meeting the first week of February. Each program at the technology center organizes an Advisory Committee of up to ten patrons.   Staff members collect feedback on their respective program from the committee members, both at the meeting and at other times throughout the year.   Approximately 80 community members attended the event.

Members of the Manufacturing/Welding Technology Advisory Committee are shown meeting with Ken Hansen, Manufacturing and Welding instructor.   They include (Front row left to right) Alec Johannesmeyer and Danny Johannesmeyer; (Back row, left to right) Ray Harder, Delbert Moore and Will Atchley.

“The input that these community members have in our programs is very important,” stated Bobby Watson, Automotive Technology instructor.   “Every year I have received great suggestions, and I am looking forward to implementing some of the suggestions into my program.”

According to Lisa Fuller, Business and Information Technology Instructor at Northwest Technology Center, “My Advisory Committee made several suggestions which I will implement to improve my program.  I really enjoyed the great brainstorming efforts and look forward to seeing the positive results of their recommendations.”  

Those attending include current and former students, parents, business people, and other educators.    The volunteers served on committees for daytime and evening programs, business and industry, and service-oriented programs. 

The agenda for the meeting included introductions and a presentation by Dr. Gerald Harris, Assistant Superintendent.  The group was then dismissed to go to the individual programs.   

Each instructor or coordinator gives a short, informal presentation and then asks for feedback from its Advisory Committee.  Northwest Technology Center uses the feedback from the meetings to ensure that each program and service it offers is meeting the needs of business, industry, and students.    

“We are so appreciative of the interest that these community members have in Northwest Technology Center and the time that they spend away from their businesses to help keep our programs on the cutting edge.” said Harris. “The information we gain from these meetings will prove helpful to us in providing programs and services for the communities which we serve.”  

Congratulations to Ken Hansen, Manufacturing Instructor, and the Manufacturing/Welding Team for winning 1st place at the SkillsUSA District Contest held at Canadian Valley Technology Center, El Reno.

David Huckabee, Alva, Cale Gibson, Cherokee, and Alec Johannesmeyer, Okeene won 1st Place in the Welding Fabrication Team Event.  They will be one of eight teams competing at the State Competition on May 1, 2 in Tulsa.  The Winning Team of that competition will qualify for the National SkillsUSA Contest in Kansas City on June 19-25.

He’s the mechanic who put new brakes on your car, keeping you and your children safe on the highway.    She is the nurse that resuscitated your mother when she quit breathing on the hospital table.   He owns the air conditioning company that came out in the heat of summer when your unit quit working. They are all graduates of Oklahoma’s CareerTechs.   In this time of an uncertain economic future, CareerTech is even more important for Oklahomans.  

“You’d be hard pressed to go through life without coming into contact with CareerTech,” said Jane Bowen, Superintendent at Northwest Technology Center. “The system has a profound impact on all of us, whether we realize it or not.”

Northwest Technology Center is one of Oklahoma’s 29 tech centers that are celebrating February as CareerTech Month.   However, activities such as community service projects performed by Career Tech student organizations, community meetings, special seminars and many other events will be taking place throughout the month of February.     

The shear number of Oklahomans enrolling in CareerTech classes makes its reach massive, Bowen said.   Approximately half a million Oklahomans were enrolled in CareerTech classes last year. But numbers aren’t the only indication of the success of the system.

If our students aren’t successful once they get to the workplace, then we have failed them and we’ve failed our state. That simply isn’t an option for us, so each day we strive to point our students down the path that gets them to where they want to go.”

That path might lead to a full-time program at Northwest Technology Center, Bowen said, or it may be that a person needs additional certification and can get that through one of the tech center’s Adult Training & Development classes.

“The point is,” Bowen said , “for many Oklahoman’s the path to success leads to their local technology center.”
According to the Association for Career and Technical Education, she said, research shows that many of the country’s fastest-growing occupations require the technical skills taught in CareerTech education programs. Research also shows that among high school graduates entering the workforce, those with a technical education background earn more than those without this advantage.

“Students don’t have to decide between CareerTech and college,” Bowen said, “a symbiotic relationship exists between the two. In fact you can attend Northwest Tech and receive high school and college credit simultaneously.   A couple of years ago, an Alva High School student received her associate’s degree from Northern Oklahoma College prior to graduating from Alva High School and then went on to enter OSU as a junior the following August. 

CareerTech isn’t just for high school students either. While the full-time programs are the foundation of the system, business and industry also benefit from the services we offer. Services such as specialized, customized training and consulting, small business management, agriculture business management, Training for Industry Program funding and New and Existing Industry funding.

experienced the benefits of our system or have seen the indirect benefits through the personal or professional growth of someone you know, CareerTech’s benefits are undeniable.”

The Oklahoma State School Boards Association (OSSBA) is celebrating “School Board Recognition Month” to build awareness and understanding of the vital function an elected board of education plays in our society.   

“School Board Recognition Month” recognizes the members of Oklahoma’s common school boards of education and area career technology boards of education for their commitment to providing quality public school education in Oklahoma.  

Northwest Technology Center is joining with other districts from throughout the state to recognize the important contributions school board members make to their communities.

“Oklahoma benefits from the energy and countless hours devoted by this group of volunteers.  We salute those individuals on a statewide basis and especially those who serve locally,” said Jane Bowen, Northwest Technology Center Superintendent. “Even though we are taking time to recognize their efforts now, they deserve year-round appreciation.”

The photo above includes members of the Northwest Tech Administration and School Board: (back row l to r)  Daren Slater, Assistant Superintendent-Alva Campus, Dr. Gerald Harris, Assistant Superintendent-Fairview Campus, Stan Kline, Board Member, Dean Meyer, Board Member, Jane Bowen, Superintendent, (front row l to r) Dennis Bushman, Board Member, Tom Russell, Board Member and Butch Edingfield, Board Member. 

Speaking in public is a big fear for a great many people.    Practice is one way to become more comfortable talking to groups.  Also, attending a seminar or taking a class to gain some knowledge on the subject can be helpful.   Students involved in the Leadership Class at Northwest Technology Center participated in a “Public Speaking Seminar” on Wednesday.   Hosted by Northwest Technology Center in Alva, the group joined students from Northwest Technology Center in Fairview and High Plains Technology Center (HPTC) in Woodward.  

(In photo on right) Rebecca Avila, a senior at Alva High School, discusses her personal accomplishments and lifetime goals during the Public Speaking Seminar held recently at Northwest Technology Center

The seminar was lead by Tammy Brown, Chair of the Communication Department at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.  The session focused on striving for improved public speaking, not making a perfect speech.  Students learned about the communication process and increased self-confidence during a speaking presentation.  

Following the seminar, students were asked to speak about themselves for two minutes, using the tips that were covered during the initial presentation.    

This is the ninth year for Northwest Technology Center to have a leadership program.   Students participate in a professional application and interview process.    The group members attend monthly meetings with topics such as Oklahoma's legislative process, teambuilding and leadership.    The students will end the year in March with a completion celebration.  The leadership class is sponsored and funding is provided by the Northwest Technology Center Foundation.  The group’s next activity will be a trip to the Oklahoma State Capitol to learn how Oklahoma’s government functions.