Dear Colleagues and Friends, As the 2010-11 school session comes to a close, I thought I would reflect on the year’s accomplishments and look ahead to 2011-12. This year has been full of change for Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Mississippi, illustrated by the official name change of our office from the Office of Vocational Education and Workforce Development to the Office of Career and Technical Education. Most states have already removed the term “vocational” from their programs, signaling a move toward more comprehensive career pathways and programs of study. This past year, we focused attention on planning to transition all programs to one, consistent curriculum. It was simply time to change all non-redesign programs and redesign programs into one program. Making this transition for approximately 15 programs for the coming 201112 school year is requiring real change for many schools–and especially instructors. Please know we recognize how challenging this change is going to be, and just know how much we appreciate your buy-in, support, and understanding that this is the right thing to do for the of our programs. And, more important, it is the best thing for our students. We can all Jean Massey future agree that our students deserve the best programs we can offer that better prepare them for Associate State Superintendent high-wage, high-skill careers and jobs. We have seen a relative stabilization of funding at the state level. As we entered the 2010-11 year, we were all anticipating drastic reductions in state funding. However, we are thankful that our state economy slightly improved (or at least stopped declining), allowing the Mississippi Legislature to fund education for next year at almost the same level as this year. Maybe the downward trend in state funding is over for a while. On the other hand, the news coming from Washington is concerning. The Federal budget deficit has all agencies reevaluating every program and funding mechanism. Many of you are aware that we are losing the “tech prep” funds that have supported the tech prep coordinators at our community and junior colleges. Some colleges are absorbing those positions and maintaining those services, but others are unable to do so within their own tight budgets. The summer of 2011 means professional development for more than 800 Mississippi CTE teachers, and in August, school will begin with many of you teaching updated curricula and some of you teaching brand new programs. The new school year will bring even more improvements for CTE. We will roll out updated career pathways supporting the implementation of individual career academic plans (iCAP), which will outline students’ personal program of study for high school and beyond. Planning is underway now to provide you with tools, resources, and professional development so that each eighth and ninth grade student begins school this August with an iCAP. We all recognize the need to help students and families plan for education after high school. A high school diploma can no longer be the goal when it simply is not a sufficient credential for offering our children any real opportunity to earn a decent, living wage. While only 20 percent of jobs actually require a four-year college diploma, almost all other jobs require at least some post-secondary education and technical training. It is imperative that we help them realize and plan for this. We know CTE is important, but we also know that sometimes CTE is viewed as the easier option for students. We want to change this image. All across the country more and more people are realizing the value of hands-on, practical educational experiences that truly help students participate in a career path in high school, instead of just reading about their careers in brochures. Through leadership development and strategic marketing efforts, we will take actions aimed at changing the image of CTE in Mississippi. You will see more about these plans in the coming months. As the cliché goes, times are changing, and I have to say that the pace of change is increasing. We know we are educating children for jobs that don’t even exist today. Your job is challenging. We are here to help guide and support you as we all work to provide better opportunities for all our students. Lastly, let me offer my thoughts and prayers to the schools and families impacted by tragedies this last school year. The year seemed to have been extremely challenging with unprecedented and devastating tornadoes and flooding around our state. We know how difficult these times are on schools and communities. We also know Mississippians are resilient and caring.
Jean Massey Associate State Superintendent Office of Career and Technical Education
Contents Credits Creative Design: Amy Johnson
Culinary art education creates opportunity for hospitality and restaurant industry
Managing Editor: Diane Godwin Editor: Harriet Laird Writers: Emily Johnson Diane Godwin Photography: Amy Johnson
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CTE student named Mississippi’s ‘Distinguished Young Woman’
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Student helps rebuild lives in community, as well as his own Allied Health class rescues student
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Career and Technical Education instructor leads national organization
Research and Curriculum Unit coaches new CTE leaders
Awards and Recognition
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Culinary arts education creates opportunity for hospitality and restaurant industry
teams shared more than $750,000 dollars in scholarship money.
Culinary Arts competition celebrates second year in Mississippi The Mississippi ProStart Invitational, organized by the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association (MHRA), welcomed high school teams from across the state to demonstrate their expertise in culinary arts and restaurant management. Competing in these two areas, the top four
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“Just two years ago, because of the added culinary arts education classes, we finally were in a position to offer students and instructors the opportunity to compete at the state level and have a state winner qualify for national competition,” stated Grady Griffin, MHRA education director. “Due to this competition, more students have discovered their niche. For many, this is the first time they have ever earned a medal or trophy and referred to themselves as champions. Consequently, this competition is truly life changing for children who did not have something else to grab on to and be successful.” Biloxi Career & Technical Center took first place in both divisions.
Clinton Career Complex and North Forrest High School placed second and third respectively in culinary arts, while Greenville Technical Center and North Forrest High School placed second and third respectively in restaurant management. Qualifying for national competition, the Biloxi Career & Technical Center traveled to Overland Park, Kan., to compete for more than $1 million in scholarships. “We spent up to four hours a day getting ready for competition. It was nationals; we were feeling tense, so we figured out a way to help deal with the pressure,” said Jessica Fowler, a senior on the Biloxi culinary team.“Our group created a cheer from our last names that made us laugh and helped us relax. We found out that if we laughed a little before going into the competition it made it easier on us.” Forty-one states participated in
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the competition. Teams were judged in two categories. The timed, three-hour culinary event began with a 25-minute demonstration of knife and poultry fabrication skills. Teams then had one hour and only two portable, propane burners to prepare a three-course meal, including an appetizer, main course, and a dessert. Students were scored heavily on food safety, as well as organization, teamwork skills, and taste and
they were learning and using.”
presentation.
and demographics,” said Pam Rosetti, team adviser and Biloxi High School Career Technology Center culinary instructor. “The ProStart program and competing at the national level taught them public speaking, critical thinking, and presentation skills. They had to present this plan to chefs and judges, and answer questions about the aspects of running a restaurant, ranging from safety and sanitation to marketing, customer service, and human resources.”
“I have decided to be a chef, so it was a wonderful experience to compete on a national level. I never imagined contending at a culinary competition until this year,” Melanie Wright, a senior Biloxi culinary team member, said. “Not all states are fortunate enough to have ProStart certifications and traning. As a result, not all places even know what it is. When we went to nationals, it was cool to see what the competition was like from other states, to see the food they brought out, to see what they were being taught, what skills
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In the management competition, teams demonstrated their knowledge of the restaurant and food service industry by developing a restaurant proposal, complete with a business and marketing plan. “They learned the basic operations and plans for starting a restaurant that included menu and floor plan design, marketing,
Fowler added, “They treated us as if we were real restaurant managers. They were testing us
on how we would respond to real issues managers face on a daily basis. They asked us,‘What would you do to fix this issue if a guest did this?’ It shows people who are serious about this career path that owning a restaurant is not just about making and serving food, but actually communicating and interacting with the customers.” According to Griffin, students begin making plans and developing their menus more
than a year before competition. “It is an intense process, but the preparation and competition teach the students so much. They aren’t just learning to cook. They are learning management theory and practice, and how it relates to food service.” This is echoed by Fowler who said, “I have learned a lot about what my future will be like if I can achieve my lifetime goal. I want to open and run my own restaurant after I get out of college. This competition has seriously helped me decide once and for all that this is what I want to do with my life.”
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hospitality industry. These chefs not only share their expertise with the students in the classroom, they also help to develop the menus for competition,” Rosetti offered. “And the relationship has blossomed. Three students have landed jobs working alongside these chefs.”
culinary arts kitchen. The Mississippi ProStart Invitational is sponsored by the Mississippi Restaurant Association Education Foundation, Sysco Food Service of Jackson, the Mississippi Poultry Association, and Sanderson Farms. For more information on the National ProStart Invitational, please visit www.prostart.restaurant.org.
ProStart state team champion’s adviser receives recognition Pam Rosetti, a veteran educator of more than 30 years, has spent the last three of those years teaching culinary arts at Biloxi High School. When the district elected to add culinary arts to the curricula, they depended on Rosetti’s expertise to lead the way in implementing the program and curriculum. Her first steps included collaborating with equipment vendors and developing a plan for building a
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A former home economics education teacher, Rosetti used that experience to parlay into the world of culinary arts, and so far, she said it seems to be a natural fit. “This program is especially rewarding because these students want to be here, and want to learn,” she said. Having gained national certification, Rosetti, helps hers student go on to careers in the restaurant business. Her curriculum, designed by the Research and Curriculum Unit at Mississippi State is ProStart endorsed. In fact, chefs from the local restaurant casino Imperial Palace have taken notice. “Their willingness to collaborate bridges what the students are learning in the classroom and illustrates how what they’re learning relates to the real world
Students in Biloxi’s culinary arts program have been awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to cooking schools across the country. Also, for the past two years, students have competed and placed first in Mississippi’s ProStart culinary competition. Earning the No. 1 slot advanced them to national competition, held in Overland Park, Kan., where more than 40 teams competed for the grand prize. Colleagues and peers also are respectful of Rosetti’s work. Recently Kathy Darby, director of the Little Teepee Child Development Center in Biloxi, nominated Rosetti for the Educator Excellence Award given to outstanding culinary arts teachers by the National Association of Restaurateurs. “Pam Rosetti is a competent, compassionate and dedicated teacher. She is willing to learn new ideas to help her students achieve their goals. She instills in her students confidence that they need to carry out their tasks, whether for competition or for everyday food preparation. Pam has a fantastic work ethic that the students see on a daily basis. She is dedicated to excellence in all that she does,“ Darby said in her
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nomination letter. The Educator Excellence Awards recognize an exceptional educator from every state who utilizes the ProStart program in his or her classroom. For receiving this award, Rosetti will go on an all-expense paid trip to Chicago to attend the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart Educator Excellence Award ceremony. Working with 34 other educators recognized and nominated for their outstanding work, Rosetti will collaborate and exchange ideas to develop a “best practices” guide that will be utilized by schools across the country.
First culinary arts certification class offered in Mississippi Mississippi is one of only two states to offer culinary art teachers Level 1 ProStart training. In July, educators will attend classes at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, or travel to the second location in Daytona, Fla. Level 1 training is the first step in a four-part series offered by ProStart. This session begins with an overview of the restaurant and food service industry, and includes valuable information about kitchen and management essentials. Teachers will explore communication skills and gain an in-depth knowledge of culinary basics from mise en place through cooking methods. Grady Griffin of the MHRA played an important role in bringing this training program to the state, “As a state organization that serves the professional restaurant and hospitality industry, we’re committed to creating opportunities for our instructors to encounter quality training and national certification. If we have better teachers we have better students. If we have better students, we have better employees. It is important to us as an association because it helps us to grow our own workforce.” Educators spend mornings in classroom settings and afternoons in a kitchen laboratory, transferring classroom theory into hands-on learning. In the evenings, they explore other restaurants to review and see
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ProStart skill demonstrations. In the past, Mississippi teachers had to travel to Illinois, Florida, and South Carolina to gain three levels of ProStart Training and certification, which eventually will be required of all teachers. The Mississippi Department of Education’s five-year goal is to have all culinary arts teachers certified in the three levels of ProStart training. Donna Suddith, a culinary arts teacher at A.P. Fatherree Vocational Center attended and achieved certification at the Chicago institute. “It’s exciting that this institute now is here in our state, not only for the benefit of accessibility and low cost, but also so we can ‘show off’ what we have to offer,” she said. Linda Durand with the Greenville Technical Center gained her training in South Carolina. One of her favorite parts of the training was the experience of meeting other instructors and gaining ideas that she could bring back to her classroom. She said, “It gives you the chance to learn what other schools in other districts are doing. The information exchange with other instructors is just invaluable to a teacher.” For more information about the Prostart Summer Institutes, visit their website: http://prostart. restaurant.org/educator/institutes/
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CTE student named Mississippi’s
‘Distinguished Young Woman’ Hannah Roberts of Covington County has been an outstanding high school senior this year, and the recognition she has received is proof of her accomplishments. Named Mississippi’s 2011 Distinguished Young Woman (formerly known as Mississippi’s Junior Miss), Roberts was selected from a group of 38 high school juniors to represent the state in this summer’s national competition in Mobile, Ala.
Distinguished Young Woman is a national scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop to their full potential by providing college scholarships for continued education after high school. Through her involvement in the
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Career and Technical Education program, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Roberts further developed her self-confidence, stage presence, and public speaking abilities. She believes these skills have helped her excel at playing the violin, earning her the Braubstorm Creative Group Overall Talent Award and a $10,000 scholarship from the Mississippi Junior Miss Scholarship Foundation. “I’ve been playing the violin for 13 years, but I still had some stage jitters. I believe my ability to maintain my composure and concentration on stage was a result of being involved in FFA activities,” said Roberts. “I’m extremely excited about continuing my education and pursuing my dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist, and this scholarship money will help towards accomplishing that goal.” Roberts discovered her career passion of pediatric medicine through
the nonprofit organization, Pages of Love. She started the organization six years ago to provide hospitalized sick and underprivileged children in the southeastern U.S. with new or slightly used books. “Many of these children are forced to miss school, while also missing the opportunity to have friends and engage in normal childhood activities. Literature can provide an outlet for a sick child to escape the hospital room to another world unveiled in books,” Roberts commented. “A simple book can distract a child from a shot or entertain that child to give parents a well deserved rest.” Thanks to the help of generous donors, Roberts has provided over 13,000 books to children, a volunteer effort that also has earned her the Spirit in Action Youth Role Model Award. “I think I receive more from giving back than the kids I am serving. I’m really thankful for having such positive role models who are willing to help me make a difference in and outside my community.” Roberts is the daughter of James and Danna Roberts of Mt. Olive. She is an honor graduate of Sumrall High School and has received a Presidential Scholarship from the University of Southern Mississippi, along with a Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant.
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Student helps rebuild
lives in community,
as well as his own
Dylan Sheffield, a senior at Itawamba Agricultural School, never knew when he was going to get the call, but when he did he was ready.
“This program has taught him self confidence, motivation, excellence on the job, and that sometimes it doesn’t matter if you get paid or not, the quality of work is the most important,” Holland said. “I believe the loyalty we teach through internships and job shadowing also is very important to a future law enforcement officer.”
Sheffield was one of first on the scene to respond after an F5 tornado devastated the Smithville community and the lives of its residents. Clocking wind speeds up to 318 miles-per-hour, weather experts announced the tornado to be one of the most intense “The leadership to hit Mississippi in 60 years. Sheffield used his first responder skills he learned from Lori Holland’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) class to provide first aid to people who survived the deadly storm.
and first aid skills I learned in my CTE class definitely prepared me to react quickly to help victims of the storm,” Sheffield said.
“The leadership and first aid skills I learned in my CTE class definitely prepared me to react quickly to help victims of the storm,” Sheffield said. “Through job shadowing, I’ve learned that I want to be in law enforcement or work for the fire department. The job shadowing, college and career planning, and my future apprenticeship with the Fulton Police Department are all opportunities that were arranged because I was in Ms. Holland’s CTE class. Because of this program, I have a plan for reaching my goals.” Sheffield plans to attend Itawamba Community College this fall and then the police academy because Holland adopted the Career Pathways Experience (CPE) program into the high school curricula.
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The CPE program is part of a national movement toward organizing education around clusters of study. Each area of study focuses on a different career area. By combining rigorous academics with career education, the goal is to help students tailor their education towards the career path they choose.
“I believe in CPE because it offers many more educational and career opportunities for students in my program,” Holland stated. “As many people as possible should have the opportunity to enroll in a career and technical education class, especially in Career Pathways because it helps students focus on academics, proves to them how they’re applied, and why they’re important.” Between classes, school activities, and studying, students in Holland’s CPE program have led a donation drive to help the Smithville survivors. To date, they have collected a trailer full of items and have given them to their neighbors to help them rebuild their lives, something the students themselves are preparing to do after high school graduation.
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Allied Health
class rescues student “When you’re willing to try something different to reach and teach kids, some of it works. This was one of those things that worked for Chris,” Dalgo said.
Sometimes it takes “out-of-the-box” teaching methods to reach students and make an impact on them. In a Career and Technical Education class at Ocean Springs High School, Chris learned to read and found his passion for being an actor, not in a theater or communication course, but in allied health. The rigor of an allied health class includes reading medical-related articles and textbooks, as well as deciphering complicated medical terminology. Judy Dalgo, who recently was honored as the Mississippi Alternate Teacher of the Year,
explained that as a shy student Chris struggled with the reading assignments and had difficulty participating in group assignments. She said, “One of the topics we cover for allied health is infectious diseases, and that particular year I had written a play on yellow fever. I thought it would be really interesting for the students to learn about the disease in depth, because here on the Gulf Coast we had a significant outbreak,” she explained. Dalgo inspired her students to become interested in the play by having them read historical letters between a husband and wife. Dating back to 1878, the letters told the story of the relationship between the wife, who was quarantined in Ocean Springs, and her husband, who was isolated in Water Valley, due to the epidemic outbreak of the disease. With more than 30 letters, Dalgo wrote a play that required all of her allied health students to have a speaking role. “Chris was especially concerned about learning the script because he did have difficulty reading,” said Dalgo. “As we were practicing, I noticed that when he was on stage, his voice projected wonderfully, and he was using his height and stature to develop great stage presence.”
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Playing the role of Dr. Levere, a Walter Reed Medical Center professional who helped discover the cause of yellow fever, Chris never missed play practice, stayed late to rehearse his lines, and in the process learned to read. “On that stage, he found his voice and developed self-esteem. He found the passion that inspired and helped him perform better in school,” she said. Because of Dalgo’s allied health class, Chris enrolled in the high school drama club and now attends Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he is a theater major. “When you’re willing to try something different to reach and teach kids, some of it works. This was one of those things that worked for Chris,” Dalgo said. In addition to being named the 2011 Mississippi Alternate Teacher of the Year, Dalgo was honored by the Keys Technology Center in the Ocean Springs School District as the 2010 Teacher of the Year. A national board certified allied health teacher, she received her doctorate in nursing in 1992 and has taught healthrelated courses since 1983.
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Career and Technical Education instructor leads national organization Ray Nash, a Mississippi agriculture teacher for more than a decade, recently was named president of the National Council for Agricultural Education (NCAE). Nash, a teacher at Biggersville High School in Corinth, holds national certifications for classroom and online teaching. Nash’s extensive teaching experience in agricultural and environmental science technology will help him lead the NCAE–more commonly referred to as “The Council”–in examining emerging issues facing school-based agricultural programs and providing solutions to ensure quality education. Dr. Karen C. Hutchison of the Delaware Department of Education said, “As a past president of the NCAE, I know how important it is to have leaders with passion, commitment and a solid knowledge of school-based agricultural education. In selecting Dr. Ray Nash as its president, The Council board found someone who meets all of these requirements. Ray has proven leadership skills developed while serving as president of the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE), and he has brought vision and effective administration to The Council. The Council board is fortunate to have him at the helm.” Before becoming a teacher, Nash worked in the agricultural chemical industry as a sales representative for Ciba Crop Protection in the citrus and vegetable markets in Florida. Even when he worked in sales, the company used his experience as a sales trainer, due both to his education and natural ability.
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“Teaching was always destined to be my chosen profession. I was greatly inspired by a teacher I had,” Nash said. Spending the past 15 years teaching the intricacies of plant and animal sciences, what Nash loves most about teaching is “seeing the students succeed in learning, inand outside the classroom. Through hands-on projects students develop a project from concept to completion. They learn ‘real-world’ concepts by working through the details of a project. It gives them a chance to make mistakes, and learn and grow in a safe knowledge-based environment,” he explained. The one thing Nash hopes his students take away from his classes and instruction is for them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers “to analyze situations and be able to have the tools and skills to solve problems in any situation,” he said. Serving in several leadership roles within the agricultural education profession and also as a past NAAE president, Nash models his belief of serving the profession and getting involved. He said, “First of all, it provides a positive example for my students. I encourage them to go beyond what they would normally be doing in life and give back to the community and their future profession. More importantly, it offers an example to my students that as professionals we have a responsibility to ensure that careers in agriculture continue to make a positive global impact for society.”
Since the beginning of Nash’s career, he has seen agricultural education transform into a sciencebased education, allowing students to transfer the theories and formulas they learn in biology and math and apply that knowledge to a real world situation, realizing the practical importance of their education. “The only way I’m able to give is because of the support of my colleagues that I teach with at Biggersville. Thanks to their support, the support of the high school, and the school district administration, we’ve been able to have a positive impact on agricultural education, and I’m most grateful,” he concluded.
“Teaching was always destined to be my chosen profession. I was greatly inspired by a teacher I had,” Nash said. Nash is an alumnus of Mississippi State University, where he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture and extension education. For more information, please visit www.msstate.edu. The Council, strives to stimulate positive growth in agricultural education. Since its beginning in December 1983, the organizaion has provided leadership for stakeholders in agriculture, food, fiber, and natural resources systems education. For more information, please visit www. teamaged.org/council/.
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Research and Curriculum Unit coaches new CTE leaders When new Career and Technical Education administrators are hired, they now have a valuable resource to help them in their careers. The Career and Technical Education Administrators Academy (CTEAA) is available to provide training and support to educate these new administrators about program operation and coordination, as well as to motivate them in becoming outstanding instructional leaders. CTEAA’s purpose is to establish a cohort of leaders involved in a learning community as career and technical administrators. The cohort aids administrators in developing a series of learning opportunities aligned to the goals and objectives of the academy. They are not only gaining invaluable knowledge, but also forming relationships that will help them and their programs. Don Hardin, vocational director for Calhoun County Vocational and Technical Center commented, “The CTEAA was a great experience for me because of the networking. Entering into this area of administrative leadership, it is essential to have a line of communication with others to get ideas, advice and information concerning various aspects of career and technical education. The program al-
lowed me to form many professional acquaintances that have proven invaluable in providing effective leadership to my staff and in fulfilling my duties as a vocational director. Additionally, the program opened my eyes to various compliance and reporting responsibilities that are not covered under the general educational leadership program.”
relate to the topics taught during the workshop. They develop pre-work and have homework assignments based upon best practices, professional readings, individualized research, or mentoring projects with instructors or students. Hands-on activities are incorporated into the learning experiences, which increase understanding and relevance. Partici-
The training schedule begins with an initial workshop in September that lasts one to two days, and is followed by as many as three more workshops within the same school year. As new career and technical administrators are employed annually, new cohorts are created. The training covers a three year period, with each cohort member having the opportunity to mentor new administrators in his or her third year. Program coordinator Dr. Marilyn Bowen of Mississippi State’s Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) said, “The Mississippi Department of Education and the RCU work together to offer current and up-to-date information to new CTE administrators. The cohorts become learning communities with collaboration and interaction between the members. I have enjoyed meeting and working with each of them.” The variety of presenters is vital to the success of this academy. Over the course of the training, participants develop a resource manual with materials that
pants are encouraged to utilize online opportunities to provide times for discussion groups, and post best practices and research. Hardin added, “I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the cohort and would most definitely recommend that this training be a requirement for anyone entering into a leadership position in the area of career and technical education.” For more information about the CTEAA, please contact Dr. Bowen with the RCU at 662-325-2510 or marilyn.bowen@ rcu.msstate.edu.
2011 CTEAA Graduates: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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Simon Carter, Jr., Joe Barnes Vocational Technical Center, West Bolivar Tom Catchings, McComb B & T Complex Sherry Franklin, Pearl Rankin Career and Technical Center, Hinds Community College Don Hardin, Calhoun County Career and Technical Center Glenda Holleyman, Leake County Career Technology Center Mark Hudson, Clarke County Vocational Technical Center Ronda Huffman, Choctaw County Career Technology Russell Johnson, Holly Springs Vocational Technical Center Barbara Lucas, Coahoma Agricultural High School W. K. Luckett, Jr., Canton Career Center Emma Robinson, Drew Separate Schools Jan Sears, Carol Loftin, Marion County Robert Skipper, Quitman County Vocational School
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Awards and Recognition Association for Career and Technical Education’s exclusive Achieve 100 Award recognizes schools and institutions that have 100 percent ACTE membership participation from each and every member of the career and technical staff. For 2011, Mississippi schools received six of the 52 awards:
Rhonda Crawford, a STEM teacher at Lamar County Schools, was one of eight teachers in the country selected to participate in a STEM Teacher Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C., this summer. These teachers will create unit plans based on the technologies inherent in the soonto-be-completed Covert Submarine Operations in the Cold War exhibit at the U.S. Navy Museum.
• Choctaw County Career and Technology Center, Ackerman • Madison Career and Technical Center, Madison • Newton Career Center, Newton • Petal High School Career and Technical Education, Petal • Pope School, Pope • South Panola High School, Batesville • Webster County Career and Technology Center, Eupora
FFA winners announced at national convention
High school teams will have the opportunity to work with NASA engineers to plan, design, and develop model hardware for the Ares upper stage and J-2X engine. CAD-drafter models will be used for concept studies and hands-on evaluations. Students will gain knowledge in engineering applications and skills needed for careers at NASA. Several Career and Technical programs in Mississippi were selected to participate in this project: Hancock County Vocational Center, Rick Saucier, director • Polymer Science, Ken Toyston, teacher • Engineering, Steve Ladner, teacher Gulfport Technical Center, David Fava, director • Engineering, Andy Gunkel, teacher New Albany Vocational Center, John Ferrell, director • Technology Applications, LaTrina Bynum, teacher Petal High School, Charlene Cannon, director • Polymer Science, Krystin Breland, teacher
Agricultural Issues • Bronze Emblem Team: Byhalia FFA Agricultural Mechanics • Bronze Emblem Team: Boonville FFA • Bronze Emblem Individuals: Jeremy Cox, Tyson Mackin, Reed Rinehart, and Tyler White, Booneville FFA Creed Speaking • Bronze Emblem Individual: Brooke Ingram, Sumrall FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation • Bronze Emblem Team: Clarksdale FFA • Silver Emblem Individual: Meagan Lee, Clarksdale FFA • Bronze Emblem Individuals: Tyler Bye, Justin Hyde, and Colton Tomberlin, Clarksdale FFA Dairy Foods • Bronze Emblem Team: Carthage FFA • Silver Emblem Individuals: Preston Burchfield and Brooklyn Stewart, Carthage FFA • Bronze Emblem Individuals: Mattie Brooks and Crystal Gardner, Carthage FFA • Environmental and Natural Resources • Bronze Emblem Team: Millsaps-Starkville FFA • Silver Emblem Individuals: Ashley Albritton and Mark Banes, Millsaps-Starkville FFA • Bronze Emblem Individuals: Andrew Moorhead and Vincent Vozzo, Millsaps-Starkville FFA Farm Business Management • Bronze Emblem Team: Sumrall FFA • Bronze Emblem Individuals: Tell Ford, Chelsea Freyoux, and Leslie Shields, Sumrall FFA
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Floriculture • Bronze Emblem Team: Puckett FFA • Bronze Emblem Individuals: Betsy Cutrer, Ashlea Sledge, and Kimberly Sledge, Puckett FFA Forestry • Silver Emblem Team: Mantachie FFA • Silver Emblem Individuals: Tyler Dulaney and Colton Sullivan, Mantachie FFA • Bronze Emblem Individual: Michael Lindsey, Mantachie FFA Horse Evaluation • Bronze Emblem Team: Sumrall FFA • Bronze Emblem Individuals: Alex Carlson, John Holland, Sam Newman, and Megan Thrash, Sumrall FFA Job Interview • Bronze Emblem Individual: Tyler Dearman, Clarksdale FFA Livestock Evaluation • Bronze Emblem Team: Covington County FFA • Silver Emblem Individual: Michael Buckley, Covington County FFA\ • Bronze Emblem Individuals: Andre Charpentier and Lane Gandy, Covington County FFA Meats Evaluation and Technology • Bronze Emblem Team: Florence FFA • Bronze Emblem Individuals: Chris Franklin, Brandon King, and Orry Yabrough, Florence FFA Nursery/Landscape • Bronze Emblem Team: Starkville FFA • Silver Emblem Individuals: Davis Josey and Hudson Woomer, Starkville FFA • Bronze Level Individual: Nathan Ball, Starkville FFA Parliamentary Procedure • Silver Emblem Team: Starkville FFA Poultry Evaluation • Silver Emblem Team: Sumrall FFA • Gold Emblem Individual: Hannah Roberts, Sumrall FFA • Silver Emblem Individuals: Courtney Cooper, Katie Patterson, and Natalie Zortman, Sumrall FFA Prepared Public Speaking • Bronze Emblem Individual: Rachel Rutland, Mize Attendance Center FFA
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2010 - 2011 Collegiate National DECA Awards Academic Honor Award • Deborah J. Thompson, Northwest Mississippi Community College • Pratt Leflore, Hinds Community College, Rankin Campus • Kelsey Morphis, Hinds Community College, Rankin Campus Chapter Leadership Award • Kelsey Morphis, Hinds Community College, Rankin Campus • Pratt Leflore, Hinds Community College, Rankin Campus • La Toya Jackson, Hinds Community College, Raymond Campus • Jessica Watts, Hinds Community College, Raymond Campus • Vasskynee Bates, Copiah-Lincoln Community College • Casey Steele, Copiah-Lincoln Community College • Lanelle Young, Northeast Mississippi Community College • Apryl Stafford, Northeast Mississippi Community College • Deborah J. Thompson, Northeast Mississippi Community College • JonathanWard, Northeast Mississippi Community College • Vijay Khurana, Southwest Mississippi Community College • Alicia Holifield, Southwest Mississippi Community College State Leadership Award • Dakota Dale • Harmony Raffeo Chapter Leadership Passport Diplomat Award • Northeast Mississippi Community College, Hospitality Management Community Service Award • Hinds Community College, Rankin Campus • Copiah-Lincoln Community College • Northwest Mississippi Community College • Northeast Mississippi Community College • Southwest Mississippi Community College
Connections Spring 2011
Dixie National 2011 Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions Academic Scholarships The Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions promotion committee presented 25 academic scholarships in the amoung of $1,500. Winners were: • Carley Pettigrew, Lee 4-H/Nettleton FFA • Marlee Cameron, Forrest 4-H • Christine Ladner, Pearl River 4-H • Candice Killebrew, Hinds 4-H • Anne Marie Painter, Humphreys 4-H • Holli Nutt, Scott 4-H • Kaiti Ford, Taylorsville FF • Seth Cook, Panola 4-H • Morgan Maloney, Sunflower 4-H • Haley Shamblin, Bolivar 4-H • Jessica Wilkinson, Franklin 4-H/FFA • Hannah Miller, Hinds 4-H • Jerri Katherine Clanton, Franklin 4-H/FFA • Libby Durst, Sharkey 4-H • Leighton Domino, Humphreys 4-H • Thomas Toole, Leflore 4-H • Ty Ladner, Pearl River 4-H • Luke Lowery, Forrest 4-H • Collin Hutcheson, Lee 4-H • Clint Wall, Oktibbeha 4-H • Justin Nutt, Scott 4-H • David Hey Jr., Leflore 4-H • John Phillip Zeigler, Yazoo 4-H • Ashley Kerr, Sharkey 4-H • Michael Magee, Panola 4-H 2011 Mississippi Livestock Council Scholarship The Mississippi Livestock Council presented a $500 scholarship to John McLemore Jr. of Jones 4-H/South Jones FFA. Dixie National Junior Round-Up Premier Exhibitors Eighty-one applications were received for the Premier Exhibitor Program at the 2011Junior Round-Up. The Sale of Junior Champions promotion committee sponsored a $2,000 academic scholarship for the premier exhibitor in beef, sheep, swine, dairy, and goat. There were 35 exhibitors in the beef division, 11 in the dairy division, three in the lamb division, 15 in the swine division, and 17 in the goat division.
Connections Spring 2011
The 2011 Premier Exhibitors are: • Beef - Tucker Wagner, West Lauderdale FFA • Dairy - Morgan Jones, Pontotoc 4-H • Lamb - Robyn Soignier, Hinds 4-H • Swine - Michael Buckley, Covington 4-H • Goat - Alex Huff, Rankin 4-H Dixie National Junior Round-Up Supreme Beef Awards The champion heifers of each breed and the Supreme Commercial Beef Heifer competed for the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Supreme Beef Female. Alex Sullivan, Smith 4-H, received this award with her champion commercial beef Heifer. The Dixie National Junior RoundUp Supreme Beef Male was selected from the champion bulls of each breed. Lane Walton, Mantachie FFA, received this award with his champion Angus bull. Each award was a $1,000 scholarship presented by the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions. Dixie National Junior Round-Up Supreme Dairy Female Award The grand champions of each breed and the Grand Champion Commercial Dairy Heifer competed for the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Supreme Dairy Female. Clint Walker, Newton 4-H, received this award with his grand champion Holstein female. This award was a $1,000 scholarship presented by the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions.
Victor Branch, manager for CAVS Extension engineering education, recognized Donnie McCarter, veteran RCU media producer, for his hard work and dedication for producing recruitment and promotional videos for the STEP program over the course of six years. The Student Technology Exchange Program helps to prepare students for the world of work with enhanced skills by exposing them to the use of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment at the Nissan plant. The Mississippi Department of Education, Nissan, CAVS Extension and various Mississippi school districts partner in this outstanding project to help student reach their full potential.
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