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REED HIGH SCHOOL WELDING INSTRUCTOR EARNS NATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS Reno, NV January 10, 2012 Why would a public school teacher go through the time, and expense of earning national certifications in his program area when such certifications will have no bearing on his pay or official teaching status? Tim Conley, Welding instructor at Reed High School, answers that question this way: "I believe that it is important to achieve, and to keep moving forward. Students will now be able to leave my four-year program with industry certifications that would have cost them money in the future." Tim’s program is part of a new S.T.A.R. Career and Technical Education Academy at Reed High School, and he feels that, as an academy, they will rival any institution in the district. Tim recently earned both the American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Educator, and Certified Welding Inspector national certifications. The Certified Welding Educator Program (CWE) is geared for the welding professional specifically in the welding education field and confirms it recipient’s ability, talent and knowledge to specifically direct and perform operations associated with welder training and classroom instruction. The premier AWS certification program is the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) program. This certification is widely recognized, both nationally and internationally, in the welding industry. Successful companies have come to rely on this AWS certification when ensuring the highest level of quality workmanship. AWS serves more than 66,000 members worldwide, and membership includes engineers, scientists, educators, researchers, welders, inspectors and company executives. Raised in Gerlach, Nevada, Tim attended UNLV as a Theoretical Physics major before deciding to go into the teaching field. He had always loved Welding and other shop classes in high school, and decided that he wanted to pass that along to other students. He transferred to UNR where he received his secondary teaching degree, and then began teaching the Welding program at Reed High School, now part of the Reed High School S.T.A.R.S. Career and Technical Education Academy. Earning a Master’s Equivalency degree in Welding and now these AWS certifications are part of Tim’s continuing efforts to improve his teaching capabilities. As an exemplary Career and Technical Education teacher, Tim Conley combines strong technical knowledge and skill with a sincere concern for the value of what he is imparting to his students. These AWS certifications require rigorous preparation and execution and prove that almost nine years into his career; Tim Conley is not slowing his efforts to provide the best for his students! "I believe that it is important to achieve, and to keep moving forward. Students will now be able to leave my four-year program with industry certifications that would have cost them money in the future"
Orlando, FL—167 of Nevada’s top student members and advisers traveled to Orlando, Florida for the FBLA National Leadership Conference and joined 8,000 other future business leaders from around the world to Break Barriers in leadership development, networking, and international competition.
Only the top 4% of high school students have the opportunity to attend the National Leadership Conference and compete in the international business leadership competitive events. Galena High School’s Steven Kish took top honors by placing in the top 10 internationally. Steven placed 8th in the Public Speaking II international competition.
The winners of these highly competitive and prestigious awards competed amongst FBLA’s membership of 250,000 students and advisers and represent some of the best and brightest of today’s youth. Nevada FBLA-PBL, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. June 1, 2011 -- Three Hug HS students scored in the top 20 percent on the U.S. Department of Treasury and U.S. Department of Education’s National Financial Capability Challenge!! They are: * Uriel Marquez * Jonathan Ruiz-Gomez * Javier Velez REED AUTOMOTIVE STUDENTS TAKE HIGH HONORS IN FORD-AAA AUTO COMPETITION
RENO, NV May 2011 Congratulations to Reed High School Automotive students Jared Ellis and Erik Ruelas for their first place written test win in the Ford and AAA Automotive Student State Skill Competition. Both are students in Instructor Todd Teague’s Automotive Program. The students had to take a state ASE written test to qualify for the hands-on competition held at the Nugget Thursday, May 12. With a combined written test score and the hands-on competition, they finished third overall winning scholarships to the Universal Technical Institute and to the Ford ASSET program.
This competition is co-sponsored by AAA and Ford Motor Company. The objective of this competition is to encourage talented young people to pursue careers as automotive service technicians. AAA and Ford wholeheartedly support this objective and are committed to this program as an investment in the future of our young people and improved automotive service for AAA members, Ford Motor Company customers and all motorists. This program is a nationwide competition for 11th and 12th grade students in secondary schools and colleges that offer courses in Automotive Technology. Each participating instructor selects his/her best 11th or 12th grade Auto Technology students to take the state qualifying exam which is taken on-line and administered by a test proctor/administrator at the school.
Qualifying students win scholarships, savings bonds, trophies, jackets, certificates, shop manuals, trips and automotive equipment. Instructors are eligible to win equipment, service publications, trophies and prestige for their schools, and the names of each contestant are submitted to AAA affiliated service facilities, Ford Motor Company dealers, and many other sponsoring organizations that have a need for automotive technicians and other service specialists. This competition complements other Ford and AAA efforts to promote the training and certification of qualified auto service technicians. These activities enlarge the pool of trained auto repair personnel available to serve the public.
Congratulations to Jared Ellis and Erik Ruelas as well as Instructor Todd Teague for this excellent accomplishment.
AACT STUDENTS WIN HONORS AT COMPETITION IN LAS VEGAS Reno, NV March 29, 2011 Students from the Medical Careers Academy at the Academy of Art, Careers and Technology (AACT) recently won honors at the annual Health Occupations Student Association (HOSA) state competition. HOSA is a national student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education whose two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in Health Care programs. Since its inception in 1976, HOSA has grown steadily reaching nearly 90,000 members through 44 chartered HOSA State Associations and approximately 2,600 secondary and post-secondary/collegiate chapters in 2011. The following students won medals at this year’s competition. Community Emergency Response Team Skills Gold - Sahar Sedigh & Sierra Carson Silver - Jenna Melton & Jaysen Nolte Bronze - Tyra Eggert & Navid Esquivel
Health Education Gold - Libby Vogt & Carolyn Gonzales Silver - Cecilia & Rebecca Bustos
Medical Photography Silver - Kassandra Gamboa
Medical Spelling Gold - Ryan Tisbe Silver - Iris Arango Bronze - Courtney Yoshimaru 4th - Sara Jones 5th - Cassondra Linares
Medical Assisting Silver - Victoria Green Bronze - Jillian Bugica-Saiz 5th - Andrea Corral
Sports Medicine Silver - Bailey Torrez Bronze - Sally Matzoll 4th - Kyleigh Larson 5th - Alyssa Thomas
CPR/First Aid 4th - Daniel Jimenez/Christine Siporen 5th - Alex Worsnop/Kale Patton
HOSA State Officer 1st Vice President – Dominique Barnett
WCSD STUDENTS WIN SkillsUSA STATE COMPETITIONS The Nevada state SkillsUSA Championships were held in Las Vegas March 15-17. Career & Technical Education (CTE) students from all over the state competed in dozens of categories, including employability skills, plumbing, cosmetology, architectural drafting, web page design, motorcycle service technology and several types of welding. SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. Students were judged on criteria that include everything from resume presentation to timed tasks that judges assign at the competition site. This nation’s young people have a variety of needs that must be met if they are to become the mature, responsible, caring, informed and productive individuals. Along with the skills learned in career-oriented classes and programs, CTE youth organizations such as SkillsUSA provide a variety of opportunities that will help students in these areas. Such organizations provide opportunities for leadership development, service learning, career exploration, and confidence building. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. More than 284,000 student and instructors join SkillsUSA annually. SkillsUSA has served more than 8.8 million members since its inception as Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA). SkillsUSA is an applied method of instruction for preparing America’s high performance workers in career-oriented programs. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work: high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education, and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free-enterprise system and involvement in community service. The Washoe County School District offers career-oriented Career & Technical Education (CTE) classes and programs in areas from Culinary Arts to Welding Fabrication. District high schools and middle schools teach a varying array of CTE classes. The gold medal winners from this competition are eligible to compete at the national level this summer in Kansas City where over 4,600 students compete in 84 occupational and leadership skill areas. The following WCSD students won competitions at this year’s conference:
WCSD SkillsUSA State Winners FY 2011 Advertising Design Silver – Peter Laxalt – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology
Automotive Service Technology Gold – Tyler Baumgardner – Reed High School
Broadcast News Production (Team) Gold – Dallas Debard – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology – Justin Crespo – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology – Delana Pennington – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology – Hunter Rand – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology
Computer Maintenance Technology Silver – Miguel Diaz – North Valleys High School
Graphic Communications Gold – Katy Shipley – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology Silver – Carson Johnson – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology
Job Interview Gold – KaPreace Young – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology
Job Skills Demonstration A Silver – Jose Herrera – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology
Opening & Closing Ceremonies (Team) Bronze – Shelby Turner – North Valleys High School – Cameron Sterrett – North Valleys High School – Jeff Graham – North Valleys High School – Brandon Hudson – North Valleys High School – Mikhael Townzend – North Valleys High School – Tyler Mills – North Valleys High School – Darren Mikesell – North Valleys High School
Power Equipment Technology Gold – Angel Tamayo Del Rio – Reed High School
Screen Printing Technology Silver – Jessica Vaughn – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology
Sheet Metal Gold – Michael McGaffey – North Valleys High School Silver – Chris Jahn – Reed High School Bronze – Scott Walsh – Wooster High School
T-Shirt Design Silver – Jordan Harris – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology
Welding Fabrication (Team) Silver – Elijah Bagley – North Valleys High School – Ronald Burzsynski – North Valleys High School – Chris Campbell – North Valleys High School
2011–2012 State Officer – Christi-Anne Yarbrough – Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology
LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WIN FCCLA COMPETITIONS Reno, Nevada March 9, 2011 Washoe County School District Career and Technical Education students won honors at the recent state Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) competitions. The competitions were held in Reno with the following local students placing in various events: North Valleys High School: Advisor Barbara Orrell Cassie Aaronson, Lauren Acevedo, Ashley Armao – Culinary - Silver Medal Melissa Palad, Mayra Reynaga, Shelby Turner – Culinary - Silver Medal Kendra Bartl, Stephanie Iglesias, Stacy Navarro – Culinary - Silver Medal Zoey Childs, Jimmy Ayala, Ryan Risse – Culinary - Bronze Medal
Sparks High School: Advisor Suella Brown Daylynne War - Recycle and Redesign – Gold Medal Leonel Abundis, Daniella Estrada,Fernando Jauregui – Culinary – Silver Medal Paige Seley - Job Interview – Bronze Medal Spanish Springs High School: Advisor Michelle Gach Britney Henderson – Career Exploration Project - Silver Medal Harley Stephenson, Miesha Mack, Shirley Dailey - Promote/Publicize FCCLA – Silver Medal Britney Henderson will compete in the FCCLA National Competition in July.
FCCLA is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education, or as determined by the state department of education. FCCLA has more than 220,000 members and nearly 7,000 chapters from 50 state associations and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The organization has involved more than ten million youth since its founding in 1945.
FCCLA--The Ultimate Leadership Experience--is unique among youth organizations because it is the only career and technical in-school student organization with the family as its central focus. Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in their families, careers, and communities.
Congratulations to these students and their chapter Advisors for these outstanding achievements.
North Valleys High School Student Places in 2011 Nevada ProStart® Competition
184 high school students from 20 schools across the state of Nevada participated in the Ninth Annual Nevada ProStart® Invitational, which was held February 10-11, 2011 at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Las Vegas. The state competition was presented by the Nevada Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
In the knife skills/edible centerpiece contest, individual competitors had to create an edible centerpiece using only fruits and vegetables. The students had 45 minutes to carve their items into intricate shapes. Of the 16 students competing, Stacy Navarro of North Valleys High School placed fifth.
Congratulations to Stacy Navarro and her Culinary instructor, Barbara Orrell, for this outstanding achievement!  In August 2010, the Spanish Springs High School's FCCLA Chapter had their first meeting for the 2010-2011 school year. FCCLA stands for "Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America." Leading of families and the community is exactly what they set out to do in December 2010 when they ran a toy drive at Spanish Springs High School. Their goal was to "give children a Christmas that would not get one otherwise." The Spanish Springs High School FCCLA chapter partnered with The Children's Miracle Network at Renown Hospital, and delivered 89 toys! We were told that the smiles on the kids' faces definitely made all of the hard work worth it and they plan on doing it again next year. 
Career and Technical Education: Learning Today, Earning Tomorrow!
RENO, NV February 2011 Students and faculty in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs throughout Washoe County will celebrate Career and Technical Education Month during February 2011. This year's theme for the month-long celebration is Career and Technical Education: Learning Today, Earning Tomorrow! The theme emphasizes the important role CTE can play in the life of every student. CTE is about helping students fulfill their personal, community, and earning potential. First and foremost, it is about education that provides students with academic subject matter taught with relevance to the real world often called contextual learning; employability skills from job-related skills to workplace ethics; and education pathways that help students explore interests and careers in the process of progressing through secondary school. CTE is designed to help educators promote student success by making strong connections between learning and life. It is based on the philosophy that student achievement will improve when there is internal motivation and relevance. That motivation is likely to increase if there is a strong connection between the classroom and the student's world of reality.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 18 of the 20 fastest-growing occupations within the next decade will require career and technical education. CTE jump-starts students' careers by preparing them for job as well as post-secondary educational opportunities while still in high school. As further encouragement to continue their education beyond high school, WCSD high school juniors and seniors have the opportunity to earn community college credit by successfully completing certain Tech-Prep courses. These courses are CTE classes taught to high school students by high school teachers at no additional cost to the student.
Student organizations are a basic component of Career and Technical Education programs. They support and enhance both school-based and work-based learning opportunities. These organizations enable students to achieve both academic and career competencies, develop leadership skills, and build the individual student's confidence and self-esteem. Washoe County School District CTE has active chapters in Distributive Clubs of America (DECA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), National FFA Organization, and SkillsUSA.
CTE programs are offered in all district high schools with over 6,300 students this year participating in grades 9-12. CTE areas of study include Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Business and Marketing Education, Family and Consumer Science, Health and Public Safety, Information and Media Technology, and Trade and Industrial Education. Nationally there are over 11 million secondary and postsecondary students participating in Career and Technical Education courses and programs. Is there any proof CTE works? Yes; previous Nevada Department of Education studies indicate that students who take CTE courses are less likely to drop out of high school, graduate at a higher rate, and score higher on state proficiency exams.
To learn more about CTE opportunities, talk to your school counselor or contact the Washoe County School District Office of Career and Technical Education at 850-8005, or access our Web site at www.washoe.k12.nv.us/cte SPARKS HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER NAMED CTE TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Barry Varischetti has been a CTE teacher in Washoe County for 33 years. He taught for three years at Vaughn Middle School, one year at Reed High School, and the last 29 years at Sparks High School. Over the years, Barry has taught Vocational General Math, Small Engine Repair, Introduction to Auto, Engineering, Drafting, and Woodworking. Currently he is teaching Woodworking and Drafting at Sparks High School. Barry has been a part of the State Standards writing committees for both CADD/Drafting and Furniture/Cabinet Making. In addition, he has represented Career & Technical Education on numerous district committees, including the Long Range Planning Committee. Barry has been an active member of both the CTE Technical Skills Woodworking and Drafting Advisory Committees. The Nevada Association of Career and Technical Education (NACTE) keeps teachers up to date on legislation pertinent to CTE teachers, both within the State and at the Federal level. It also keeps teachers abreast of what is going on and keeps them involved in the legislative process. NACTE offers quality networking and professional development, and strives to provide leadership in developing an educated, prepared, and competitive workforce. Barry Varischetti has been and continues to be an integral and valued member of the Career & Technical Education community in Washoe County. His outstanding dedication to providing district students the best possible background for continuing success makes this award especially appropriate. Regarding his career in teaching, Barry states, "I personally feel that CTE is where students put their education to work for themselves. It is where students really find out what they're made of and what they have to offer an employer." No one has exemplified this more than Barry Varischetti and his many students, past and present.
Reed High School Automotive Program Receives National Certification
The automotive training program at Reed High School in Sparks has received certification by NATEF and The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Reed High School's automotive program has been certified in the following area: General Service Technician.
To achieve this coveted recognition, the school's automotive training program underwent rigorous evaluation by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). Nationally accepted standards of excellence in areas such as instruction, facilities, and equipment were used.
"This is great news for automotive-minded young people and their parents," said Donald Seyfer, NATEF Chair. "Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that Reed High School's graduates will be employable entry-level technicians. As a result of the quality education provided by Reed High School, the motoring public will benefit since better repair technicians will join the work force." Upon completion of the evaluation, NATEF recommended that Reed High School be certified by The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE is a national non-profit organization which tests and certifies repair technicians, in addition to certifying automotive training programs.
Todd Teague added, "During the past few months, we have worked closely with NATEF to make certain that our program would meet strict industry standards, and now we are delighted to join the ranks of the ASE certified training programs. Students will be assured of a quality education, and shop owners will be assured of getting quality job applicants."
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Barry
Varischetti, Career and Technical Education teacher at Sparks High School, won
Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year at the 2010 Nevada
Association of Career and Technical Education (NACTE) state conference.