Foster Tech Honors Haley Walsh as CTE Student of the Year

Foster Career and Technical Education Center is pleased to announce Haley Walsh a senior at Mt. Blue High school as the CTE Student of the Year. Haley is a member of the CNA & Biotechnology program at Foster Tech and her parents are Erik and Lisa Walsh.

Haley is a testament that hard work can lead to academic success. She is a member of our Bridge Program and has earned 37 college credits while in high school. Haley is one of the sweetest, kindest students I have had the privilege to work with.

Along with her work at Foster Tech, Haley has also been involved in Football Cheerleading (11-12) Senior Captain, Competition Cheerleading (9-12) Senior Captain, Tennis (9-12) Junior Captain & Senior Captain, Soccer (9-10), National Honor Society (11-12), National Technical Honor Society (11-12), Biotechnology Student Ambassador (12), KVAC All Academic Team (12), and KVAC First All-Conference Team (11).

Her parents describe her as:

“She has always been a great kid and works hard on everything she attempts. She loves to learn things, currently she is pursuing a career as a dental hygienist for which I am so proud of her but I also know that if she wanted to be a dentist in the future she could absolutely do it!”

Haley plans to attend the University of Maine in Augusta, Bangor campus, to study Dental Hygiene. Upon graduation she wants to stay in Maine and work as a dental hygienist.

Learn more about Foster Career and Technical Education Center by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

St. Croix Regional Technical Center Honors Elaine Perkins as CTE Student of the Year

St. Croix Regional Technical Center (SCRTC) is pleased to honor Elaine Perkins of Calais High School at the CTE Student of the year. Elaine is enrolled in the Early Childhood Education and she is the daughter of Rebecca Perkins and John Knowles.

Elaine has attended SCRTC for all four years of her high school career in the Exploratory and Early Childhood Education Programs. She has demonstrated tremendous effort and growth throughout the years and has brought a great energy to her school. Elaine has that combination of a positive attitude and the belief that she can always improve that is so essential to the learning process.

Elaine’s dedication to her CTE program has led to additional coursework. She is taking two Maine Roads to Quality courses towards a Child Development Assistant credential and is also taking Observation and Assessment through WCCC. Elaine plays multiple sports through her sending school including volleyball and basketball. She volunteers with several organizations such as the Healthy Acadia Food Truck and the Power of Love Thrift Store. Throughout all of this she manages to hold down a part-time job. Elaine is active with JMG, is a member of the National Technical Honor Society, and won a SkillsUSA silver medal for prepared speech.

She has earned certifications in CPR/First Aid, Mandated Reporter, Bloodborne Pathogens, Maine Roads to Quality. Upon graduation she plans to attend WCCC for an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, then open her own childcare.

Learn more about St. Croix Regional Technical Center (SCRTC) by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine, visit the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology Honors Dymond Dake as CTE Student of the Year

Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology is pleased to announce that Dymond Dake, a junior at Narraguagus High School in Harrington as the CTE Student of the Year. She is a first year welding student at CWCIT. Her mother is Melissa Ross.

Dymond came to welding as an uninterested student with a chip on her shoulder. However, she was always willing to help and was generally appreciative of having some reprieve from the typical classroom. As time progressed, Dymond quickly picked up skills of the trade. As her skills grew, she changed from generally uninterested to totally committed. Dymond has surpassed the skills of the second year students. She began to stay at the shop to assist with projects, and gain experience. Dymond now routinely stays beyond the requirements of her day, and has given time during vacations and weekends to work on projects. She is not only the most improved student this year, but also the front runner in the program. She is a role model for work ethic, punctuality, and behavior. She has gained the confidence and determination to become the person she wants to be. Such a change is not only deserving of student of the year, but likely a student of any teacher’s career.

Dymond plans to do a summer internship with the Narrow Gauge Railroad in Portland. In the fall she will continue with welding at CWCIT. Post secondary, she plans to pursue a career in business.

Learn more about Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine, visit the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Caribou Tech Honors Brendan Blackstone as CTE Student of the Year

Caribou Regional Technology Center is pleased to announce Brendan Blackstone as our Student of The Year for 2021. Brendan is the son of Dan and Sheri Blackstone and a senior at Caribou High School.

Brendan has grown up on the family farm and for those who understand what this means, it says most of what you need to know. He has the work ethic County folks are famous for throughout New England. He has had adult responsibilities of running a windrower and cultivating potatoes since his early teens. As a student in our agriculture program, he was invaluable when planting and harvesting our crop.

Brendan has been very active in the schools FFA program. He has held the offices of Sentinel, Treasurer and has been President the past two years. In each of these positions he has done a great job of keeping things organized and running smoothly. Last year he managed the school’s farm stand, making sure it was opened and closed on time. Brendan represented our program well at the State FFA competition winning gold in Farm Business Management.

This year in the welding program Brendan has again shown his leadership. The school purchased a new plasma table and Brendan took on the challenge of learning how to use it to its full capacity. He traveled to our sister tech center in Presque Isle multiple times to attend their drafting class to learn about Auto Cad. He has brought this knowledge back to our center and has shared it with the instructor and classmates.

Brendan will be an asset to the Agricultural Science and Agribusiness program at the University of Maine at Presque Isle where he will attend in the fall.

Learn more about Caribou Regional Technology Center by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

PRIORITY NOTICE: Investment in Maine’s Career and Technical Education Centers Critical to Economic Recovery, Says Governor Mills

Governor’s Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan proposes $20 million for CTEs to train students and strengthen Maine’s workforce

During a tour of Foster Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center in Farmington today, Governor Janet Mills highlighted the importance of Maine CTEs in training skilled workers and spurring economic recovery and long-term growth from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Mills has proposed investing $20 million for program, equipment and facility upgrades for the state’s 27 CTEs as part of the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, her proposal to invest more than $1 billion in discretionary Federal relief funds allocated to Maine under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Maine CTEs have not received a significant investment from the State since 1998.

“Jobs in the trades bring with them good skills and good pay, as well as stable, life-long careers, but it’s been decades since we’ve invested in the upgrades our career and technical education centers need to train students to fill those jobs,” said Governor Mills. “Investment in Maine’s CTEs is critical to our economic recovery and long-term growth. With newly available funds, now is the time to make that investment to connect our students with rewarding careers and the businesses that are waiting to hiring them.”

“Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan will support the ability of the Foster Career and Technical Education Center, and all 27 CTEs around the state, to help students grow into career-ready adults,” said Melissa Williams, Director of the Foster CTE. “It is critically important that we have the ways and means to support students and create stronger relationships with business and industry partners. Thank you, Governor Mills, for this important investment.”

“Governor Mills’ support for Career and Technical Education Centers will help Maine’s CTEs unleash the potential of Maine’s young people, help fill Maine’s high-growth careers, and create sustained economic growth,” said Dave Keaton, CTE Director of Region Two School of Applied Technology in Houlton and incoming the Executive Director of Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education (MACTE). “The investment from the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan is long overdue, and will provide Maine students with exceptional learning opportunities and prepare them for future success as skilled members of Maine’s workforce.”

“Through the Foster CTE Center, I’ve had the opportunity to take business courses, intern at the United Way, and will be graduating with over 40 college credits,” said Mariah Thomas, a senior at Mt. Blue High School. “The support I’ve gotten from my school and programs has given me confidence and clarity in my college and career choices.”

“All my life I wanted to own my own veterinarian clinic, but didn’t know where to start. The courses I’ve taken at Foster CTE Center have given me the direction I needed,” said Allyson Walsh, a senior at Mt. Blue High School. “In the fall I will be attending the University of Maine to major in veterinary medicine and minor in business having already earned 46 college credits, which has given me a head start on my degree.”

“My experience in mechanical and architectural drafting helped spark my interest in engineering through hands-on modeling, design and innovation, which led to a degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute,” said James Brann, a 2007 graduate of the Foster CTE Center. “Whether students choose to pursue a college degree or enter the workforce directly, time spent at any of Maine’s Career and Technical Education schools is time well spent. Thank you to the educators who inspire our future machinists, engineers, loggers, mechanics, carpenters, electricians and more, and thank you to Governor Mills for recognizing the value of Maine programs like the one here at Foster CTE Center.”

“The relationship between Maine employers and the state’s Career and Technical Education Centers is important for Maine’s economy to ensure our students are learning the skills needed to thrive in skilled trades, health care, biotechnology, and more,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. “The workforce investments of the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, which total more than $100 million, will create new economic opportunities for Maine students and employers.”

As Attorney General, Governor Mills used funds she obtained through a settlement with Bath Fitter to create plumbing programs at several CTEs in Maine, including Foster CTE Center. In 2019, as Governor, Governor Mills also proposed a $5 million bond to support equipment upgrades at CTEs. The proposal was rejected by some members of the Legislature at the time despite bipartisan support.

Joining Governor Mills today were Melissa Williams, Director of Foster CTE, Allyson Walsh and Mariah Thomas, Foster CTE Center students, and James Brann, a 2007 graduate of Foster CTE Center.

Maine’s public education system has 27 CTE schools that provide Maine students with training for careers, including in welding, nursing and emergency medicine, computer programming and pre-engineering, electrical, heating and cooling systems, building trades, early childhood education, marine trades, automotive technology, horticulture, hospitality and culinary arts, among others.

Governor Mills has presented the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan to the Legislature and will travel the state in the coming weeks to discuss it in more detail with the people of Maine.

Capital Area Technical Center Honors Everett Blair as CTE Student of the Year

Capital Area Technical Center is honoring Everett Blair from Erskine Academy, a second year student in the Law Enforcement program as CTE Student of the Year. He will complete 10 week basic training with the US Army National Guard, and Advanced Individual Training. He then plans to study Wildlife Biology at University of Maine Machias, with the goal of becoming a Maine Game Warden.

His accomplishments include:

US Army National Guard, promoted to E-2,
Registered Maine Guide,
Captain of Golf Team,
2 time golf coach’s award,
2020 KVAC All-Academic Award,
National Honor Society
1st in the local SkillsUSA Law Enforcement competition
Middle School volunteer basketball coach
Helping disabled neighbor

His instructor, Mr. Peter Couture, says, “Everett excels in professionalism, strong work ethic and integrity. He thrives on motivating in hands-on skills. Everett has proven himself as a leader amongst his peers.”

Everett is grateful for the opportunities the Law Enforcement Academy program at CATC has provided him. “We are pushed every week… The law enforcement class has provided me with a lot of first-hand knowledge, and life skills that will help me reach my goals.” He credits ride-along opportunities with the Gardiner Police Department and the Maine State Police as helping him see what it’s like to work in the field.

Learn more about Capital Area Technical Center by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Biddeford Regional Center of Technology Honors Matthew Laflamme as CTE Student of the Year

Biddeford Regional Center of Technology has annouced that Matthew Laflamme a senior at Biddeford High School as CTE student of the year.

As a member of the Business Leadership program, Matt is described as:

Matt is easily one of the most determined and motivated students I know. While the detail to his assignment submissions are well thought-out and thorough, it’s the in-depth thought behind his questions and responses in class that are impressive.

During his time at Biddeford Regional Center of Technology he created an app allowing businesses to tell customers how many people are in their facility before customers decide to enter (pandemic-focused). Matt initiated a meeting with the Executive Director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce to network with local businesses. This led to Matt working with the local public library who showed interest in utilizing the app.

Matt has not let the pandemic serve as an excuse to slow his passion for learning. As Matt said, “it’s been pretty challenging for me to stay positive and keep my head high. Even so, I’m proud to say that I bring my best effort to class every day, and strive to immerse myself in learning as much as possible as to not waste the opportunity I have to take great business classes through BRCOT.”

Along with his work at Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, he also participates in other extracurricular activates as a Youth-Led Research Team Leader, SMAA All-Academic Team Member, Model UN Team Member, achieved High Honors 2020/2021 School Year, and participated in Varsity Golf, Varsity Track & Field, NTHS Member, Volunteer Computer Programmer, and was a Journalist Intern for the Biddeford School District newsletter.

Matt will graduate with 15 college credits through YCCC in Business Studies and his future plans are to attend UNH to pursue a double major in General Business and Computer Science. He envisions himself working at a startup that’s doing something bold/innovative where he can, in his words, “wake up excited to contribute to.”

Learn more about Biddeford Regional Center of Technology by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Bath Tech Honors Nathan Crossley as CTE Student of The Year

Bath Regional Career and Technical Center is pleased to announce that Nathan Crossley has been selected as our for Student of the Year. Nathan is a senior at Lincoln Academy and enrolled in the Electricity program at Bath Tech.

From the very first day at our school, Nathan has always put his best foot forward with the drive to succeed. He carries himself with an approachable personality, and he completes top notch electrical work. When he finishes one task, he is always proactive to find more that he can learn from, often asking “What’s next?” His unyielding enthusiasm for the field is contagious to those around him.

Besides Nathan’s personality and professional skills, he is a solid academic performer and a member of National Technical Honor Society. While in high school he has participated in baseball, track, cross country, and lacrosse.

Next year Nathan will be pursuing training in the Electrical Technology program at Washington County Community College.

Nathan along with 25 other students across Maine are all being honored this year as CTE Students of the Year. Their individual profiles are being highlighted this month in Maine DOE’s Newsroom.

Learn more about Bath Regional Career and Technical Center by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE Joins MACTE in Honoring 2020/2021 CTE Students of the Year

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education (MACTE) would like to congratulate the recently announced 2020/2021 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Students of the Year.

Maine’s CTE Sites and Centers recognize an outstanding graduating senior annually. Students who are recognized participate in one of a multitude of CTE programs in regions across Maine including electrical, culinary arts, multimedia, heavy equipment operations, advanced communications, certified nursing programs, early childhood education, law enforcement, building trades, agriculture, and plumbing and heating, to name a few. Many of these students are graduating high school with college credits and/or certifications that will allow them to begin working on the frontlines immediately while others have obtained advanced training and experience that will enable them to make informed choices about their future career path and education journey.

“Maine’s Career and Technical Education programs provide some of the most innovative, project-based learning opportunities available in our state,” said Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “I commend these distinguished seniors on their dedication and determination in following their passions through experiential learning. I wish each and every one of them the very the best as they write the next chapter of their future!”

To honor these students individually, Maine DOE will be highlighting each of the CTE Students of the Year with an individual profile in the Maine DOE Newsroom and on its social media sites (Facebook and Twitter) showcasing their work as CTE students and future plans as graduating seniors, including positive words from the educators who guided them on their journey.

“The Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education are incredibly proud to honor these exceptional students,” said MACTE President Rob Callahan. “Their hard work, professionalism and personal character have distinguished them in rigorous programs of study. They are surely the leaders of tomorrow both in their chosen professional area and in Maine. Congratulations all!”

2021 CTE Students of the Year:

Students are listed in alphabetical order by CTE Site/Center

Nathan Crossley
Electricity Program
Bath Regional Career and Technical Center, Bath

Matthew Laflamme
Business Leadership Program
Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, Biddeford

Everett Blair
Law Enforcement Program
Capital Area Technical Center, Augusta

Brendan Blackstone
Agriculture & Welding Programs
Caribou Regional Technology Center, Caribou

Dymond Dake
Welding Program
Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology, Machias

Elaine Perkins
Early Childhood Education
Croix Regional Technical Center, Calais

Haley Walsh
CNA & Biotechnology
Foster Technology Center, Farmington

Bryce Carter
Biomedical Science Program
Hancock County Technical Center, Ellsworth

Omar Elalam
Advanced Computer Technologies II program
Lake Region Vocational Center, Naples

Colin Merritt
Plumbing & Heating
Lewiston Regional Technical Center, Lewiston

Wyatt Shepard
Building Trades program
Maine Region Ten Technical High School, Brunswick

Emily Miller
Design/Technology Program
Mid-Coast School of Technology, Rockland

Paige Dudley
Outdoor Leadership program
Mid-Maine Technical Center, Waterville

Alexis Violette
Machine Tool and Business Programs
MSAD #24, Van Buren

Katahdin Javner
Construction Technology, Information Technology, and Automotive Technology
Northern Penobscot Tech, Lincoln

Culiandra Nero
Graphic Design
Oxford Hills Technical School, Norway

Christiana Rae Gannon (Anna)
Carpentry Program
Portland Arts and Technology High School, Portland

Brandon Dubie
Agriscience Program
Presque Isle Regional Technology Center, Presque Isle

Mary T Lombardi
Engineering & Architectural Design
Sanford Regional Technical Center, Sanford

Jasmine Dixon
Building Construction
School of Applied Technology, Mexico

Emma Huntley
Early Childhood Education Program
Somerset Career and Technical Center, Skowhegan

Alyssa Drake
Nursing Program
Southern Aroostook County, Houlton

Anthony Pelletier
Allied Health Pathway
St. John Valley Technology Center, Frenchville

Ann Gerardi
Criminal Justice Program
Tri-County Technical Center, Dexter

Mackenzie Stepp
Medical Assisting Program
United Technologies Center, Bangor

Daisy Bradney
Culinary Arts Program
Waldo County Technical Center, Waldo

Maine Compass Career Collaborative Offers Comprehensive On-Demand College and Career Resources

The Maine Compass Career Collaborative virtual experience will open to all of Maine’s middle and high school students, free of charge, on April 26, 2021.

GEAR UP Maine and JMG are partnering to create the Maine Compass Career Collaborative, an on-demand career and post-secondary resource for Maine’s students in grades 7 through 12. The site will be universally accessible to all middle school and high school students in Maine.

“This is not a one-time event. The site will always be ‘open’ with on-demand resources to help students develop real-world skills and explore all of the post-secondary and career pathway opportunities that exist in Maine,” explains Debbie Gilmer, President of Syntiro, the non-profit organization that leads Maine’s GEAR UP grant. GEAR UP Maine is a statewide initiative, in collaboration with the University of Maine at Farmington, to support students on pathways to high school graduation and post-secondary education.

The site will include information about Maine’s public university and community college systems, private colleges such as Thomas College, and other programs that support post-secondary education such as the Bridge Academy and the Alfond Scholarship Foundation. It will also provide an on-going resource for students to learn the wide variety and increasing number of post-secondary credentials offered directly by Maine’s employers such as the E.J. Prescott UP training program.

“We wanted to include the word “Collaborative” in the title of the Maine Compass Career Collaborative because we are actively seeking partners to join us in this effort. It will launch as soon as students return from spring break, but we will continue to add content in the coming months and it will be free to students,” says Craig Larrabee, CEO and President of JMG. “In addition to being informational, it’s also going to be a lot of fun for students. We look forward to welcoming more partners as we continue to build this platform.”

The Maine Compass Career Collaborative will include a post-secondary exploration hall, an employer engagement experience, financial literacy education, information about how to write a resume and apply for college and jobs, digital literacy resources, including how students can be their own brand ambassadors, and additional support such as public speaking and professional dress guides.

Registration for the platform will open on April 26, 2021 and links to the Maine Career Compass Collaborative will be posted on the JMG web site (www.jmg.org) and the GEAR UP Maine web site (www.gearupme.org). The site is free of charge to all middle and high school students in Maine, and any educators who are supporting them.