New Horizons in Action Newsletter

Father's Day will be celebrated on June 16 in 2024. Every year on the third Sunday of June Father's Day is celebrated across the country. It is a day to celebrate fathers and the crucial role they play in people's lives, from childhood through to adulthood.

Juneteenth, or “Freedom Day” is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This holiday is considered the “longest running African-American holiday” and has been called “America's second Independence Day.”

Dating back to 1865, Juneteenth commemorates the day when 250,000 slaves in the state of Texas, which became the last bastion for slavery during the final days of the Civil War, were declared free by the U.S. Army.

The Autobody Technology program visited Shorty’s Diner for breakfast in April to present a hood design created by Ben Hipple. Ben is an 11th grade student who attends Warhill High School. This story was shared in the April 23rd edition of the Williamsburg York County Daily publication.

Congratulations to Ms. Hurt and the Cybersecurity students for their recent performance in the CyberStart America Leaderboard Challenge. Ms. Hurt placed 5 of her students in Region 2 and in the top 100 in Virginia.

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the State SkillsUSA Competition in Virginia Beach! The Butler Farm Campus had 2 Gold Medal winners.

• Joel Taylor - Marine Service Technology
• Nakia Stanley - Nail Care

These students will be representing the state of Virginia at the National Competition in June.

The Butler Farm Campus recognized over 400 CTE Completers at the “Red Carpet” CTE Completer Ceremony on Wednesday, May 29th.

PT/OT students were recognized at their annual “Pinning Ceremony” on May 23rd for successfully completing all of the program requirements.

These students demonstrate what it truly means to be a dedicated student. They were rewarded with binders that included school supplies, a sweet treat, and certificates commemorating the achievement. Congratulations!

NTHS has continued their community service efforts this month. Members traveled to DreamCatchers Therapeutic Riding Center in Toano to learn how to be Therapeutic Horse Side Walkers. Now that they have been trained, they can sign up for events to assist those in need of animal therapy.

Woodside Lane CTE participated in the Virginia SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference. After three days of competition and events, Woodside earned 5 1st place medals in Metal Fabrication, Internetworking, and Firefighting Skills, and an additional 2nd place medal in Internetworking. Our 1st place winners will now travel to Atlanta this summer to compete at the SkillsUSA National Conference.

Students created board games with questions that may be on the NOCTI exam. Student Olexa Smetana created a Jenga, CRIME JENGA, using criminal justice terminology.

Our Teacher of the Year for 2024 is Mrs. Angela Stroble. Mrs. Stroble is the Pharmacy Technician Instructor at Woodside. She has successfully served the school for over 16 years and has been instrumental in helping our building operations run much smoother by taking on responsibilities on the bus ramp and assisting wherever she can lend a hand. Mr. James Hickman, the Fire Science Instructor at both campuses, was also honored as Butler Farm's Teacher of the Year.

On May 22nd, Woodside Lane opened its doors to the 2024-2025 student cohort. New students and families were welcomed to visit classes and teachers for the upcoming year. Visitors learned more about the programs they signed up for and got to view the layout of the building. The event was well attended.

May is always a big month for Woodside Lane CTE because of all the exciting activities happening around the building. A highly anticipated event is the Culinary Arts class’s annual Food Truck Battle! Three teams from both sessions duke it out with themed dishes to see which “truck” will reign supreme. Students in Criminal Justice hosted their Mock Trial, complete with a judge and jurors. Attorney Patrick Tench assisted both classes with creating one of the most memorable events from the year. Lastly, no school year would be complete without the annual Field Day. Events like Human Hungry Hungry Hippo and Pool Noodle Hockey were highlights of the day, bringing loads of fun and cheer. All the students enjoyed the events!

This year, Hannah Hong (YCPS), a distinguished U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, chose Dr. Bedir for this prestigious recognition.

Dr. Bedir's commitment to fostering a love for learning and providing unwavering support to his students has been pivotal in their academic achievements. His influence extends beyond the classroom, shaping the minds and futures of many students.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to both Hannah Hong and Dr. Bedir for this extraordinary achievement. Their hard work and dedication to academic excellence are a true source of pride for the Governor's School.

Congratulations once again to Dr. Bedir on his recognition as the Most Influential Teacher for the 2024 Presidential Scholar.

The Governor's School of Science and Technology was marked by an enriching and inspiring experience as Dr. Kevin Jacobson, a distinguished NASA Langley Research aerospace engineer, graced GSST as a guest speaker. Dr. Jacobson, whose expertise lies in optimization, brought a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to the students.

During his presentation, Dr. Jacobson delved into the practical applications of optimization, and his day-to-day work at NASA providing valuable insights into how this critical field contributes to aerospace engineering. His use of construction animations and model, served as a captivating visual aid, effectively connecting his engineering work with the students current and future learning endeavors.

Dr. Jacobson also highlighted the intersectionality of computer science and physics in his research, emphasizing how these disciplines play an integral role in advancing aerospace engineering. His ability to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications resonated well with the students, offering them a glimpse into the exciting possibility within the field. The engagement with a speaker of Dr. Jacobson's caliber, not only broadened the students understanding of aerospace engineering, but also served as a source of inspiration for those considering future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Governor's School for Science and Technology remains committed to providing its students with unique opportunities to interact with industries professionals and gain valuable insight into cutting,- edge research and applications.

A special acknowledgement goes to Ms. Kenya Whitney, the Governor's School advanced math instructor for her exceptional efforts in coordinating and organizing the event featuring Dr. Kevin Jacobson from NASA.

Center for Autism: Our CFA YMS Student had the opportunity to teach a lesson in another classroom. The lesson Titled Reduce, Reuse, Recycle included a book, a slide show, and a culminating art project. The student was responsible for developing the lesson, preparing the materials, and presenting to a classroom of her peers.

Newport Academy:What an incredible month at Newport Academy as we honored Black History Month with unforgettable events! Here's a recap of our highlights:

Black History Museum: Our halls came alive with history! From influential figures to pivotal moments, our students showcased the rich tapestry of Black heritage with passion and pride.

Taste buds traveled on a soulful journey! From savory to sweet, our staff treated us to a feast of traditional dishes. A delicious tribute to culture and community!

Say hello to the new Spring 2024 Welding class! Instructors Ed Dupree and Marc Swain will be teaching them different processes and welds in a hands-on lab with the goal of an American Welding Society certification for each student. Welcome aboard everyone, let’s shape some futures!

CFAAT staff member Ms. Erika Wilson supported our partnership with Hampton Roads Workforce Council and participated in an HRWC WAVES OF OPPORTUNITY event at the Y.H. Thomas Community Center in Hampton. Ms. Wilson was able to meet with many career-education seeking individuals and share with them the amazing opportunities CFAAT has to offer workforce focused adults!

CFAAT staff member Ms. Erika Wilson supported our partnership with Hampton Roads Workforce Council and participated in an HRWC WAVES OF OPPORTUNITY event at the Y.H. Thomas Community Center in Hampton. Ms. Wilson was able to meet with many career-education seeking individuals and share with them the amazing opportunities CFAAT has to offer workforce focused adults!

In support of our School Improvement Plan goals, CFAAT staff (Ms. Erika Wilson pictured here) attended Phoebus High Schools’ College and Career Day! This exciting event connected high school students with multiple vendors that help pave a pathway for a students’ future workforce or college plans. Our staff spoke with literally hundreds of Hampton City School students and offered them ideas about the different pathways to workforce training and success.

Please welcome our two new team members to the CFAAT Staff… Ms. Erika Wilson became our new Program Specialist this year promoting from the Administrative Assistant position that she excelled in the prior two years and Mr. Jamal Davis hired on as our new Administrative Assistant. Both of these wonderful individuals bring a strength of organizational and programmatic knowledge to CFAAT that will take us into our next chapter of success for our program. We are excited to have them onboard.

Phlebotomy student and mother of one, Malena Perry, not only completed work experience in the Out-of-School program but she was also hired by her worksite host M.D. Express. Congratulations Malena, we are so proud of you!

The Youth Workforce Center partnered with Newport News Shipbuilding to establish a Career Pathways Program. Several students were identified and interviewed for welding positions. Thank you to the team from Newport News Shipbuilding (Bobby Farmer, Hosea Fitten, Zair Singh, and Renee Turner), CFAAT Instructors (Mr. Dupree and Mr. Dombrowski) and YWC Staff (Nikiesha Virgil and Taylor Gillard) for giving the YWC students an opportunity to pursue their dream job.

Through a partnership with Together We Can, four more students were launched into valuable work-based training and secured placements at new worksite Momentum 180 and J & F Alliance Group Inc. One of the students will work with the Custodial team at NHREC after medical leave.

The New Year started with students participating in work experience orientation. Students completed the workplace excellence series and work essentials as they prepared to launch out into positions related to their occupational skills training. The Youth Workforce Center also welcomed several new worksite hosts. We are excited for these students as they begin to earn while they learn.

The Family Counseling Center (FCC) is so excited to be back for the Spring Semester! The FCC will be offering a school faculty/staff support group starting in early March. They will also be hosting a Zoom meet and greet with the Clinic Director in early March. Be on the lookout for more details!

520 Butler Farm Road, Hampton VA 23666

757-766-1100

asknhrec@nhrec.org

www.nhrec.org