CTE Newsletter

The Teach Sumner Program is proud to present its first graduating cohort of 15 Career and Technical Education teachers. We celebrate the following:

• Crystal Cornett - LCHS - Health Science
• Chris Galicki - GHS - Health Science
• Jennifer Grainger - GHS - Cosmetology
• Ginny Howe - SCHS - Psychology
• Scotty Madison - LCHS - Advanced Manufacturing
• Ian Miller - SCHS - Information Technology
• Brian Mnich - LCHS - Culinary Arts
• Dr. Meg Morley - LCHS - Health Science
• Jamie Owens - GHS - Criminal Justice
• Keye Perry - LCHS - Aviation
• Phil Russo - GHS - Criminal Justice
• Dr. Jeff Shepherd - LCHS - Advanced Technology
• Jasmine Sherrell - PHS - Health Science
• Kelly Verble - BHS - Health Science
• Amy Waller - HHS - Audio/Visual Arts

Thanks to a partnership between Sumner County Rotary Clubs and Sumner County Schools, Sumner County students now get to step inside a portable planetarium — an immersive dome where learning comes to life. From the depths of the ocean to the vastness of space, they are exploring like never before!

Congratulations to all of our CTE winners!

Amber Regan - WHS, Support Staff of the Year

Tracy Carter - WHS, Teacher of the Year

Amanda Hogan - LCMS, District Winner Teacher of the Year

Brian Mnich - LCHS, Teacher of the Year

Brad Kirkham - PHS, Teacher of the Year

Dani Villafana - WHHS, Teacher of the Year

Candy Venables - GHS, Support Staff of the Year

Culinary students from Liberty Creek catered the Employee of the Year Banquet for the second consecutive year. Students did an outstanding job of prepping, preparing, and serving the food.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit in Sumner County, joined forces with Construction students from Beech, Gallatin and Westmoreland high schools to create beds for 30 Sumner County children in need.

Agriculture students showcase the variety of plants available for purchase due to the hard work of many!

BHS students experience the Lean Six Sigma tour through an Amazon facility.

The Teddy Bear Clinic had us in stitches! Diagnostic Medicine students teamed up with Early Childhood Education 3 & 4 students to host a hands-on clinic for our youngest learners. This project-based learning experience gave students the opportunity to apply their skills in a fun and engaging way while treating teddy bears as their "patients". This experience not only helped high school students prepare for future career but also reassured out youngsters that visiting the doctor can be a fun and positive experience.

Congratulations to Hayden Torres for being elected at Skills USA as State Reporter for the 2025-2026 school year.

Health Science students gain phlebotomy experience in class.

Congratulations to Ms. Harlow and her FCCLA members. They received awards for being a Gold Chapter, Large Membership Campaign Recipient, and Largest % Increase in Membership for the entire state!

BHS hosted a college and career fair for its students to showcase some of the many post-secondary options available to them.

GHS recently received the donation of a retired box truck with the intent of converting it into a food truck. This project will involve the collaboration of multiple CTE programs: Culinary Arts, Automotive, Machining, Digital Arts and Construction. Stay tuned for the progess!

Culinary Arts I students recently competed in a Chopped-style competition, preparing full meals with ingredients supplied by teacher Chef Fitts. Students completed their meals and were then judged by teachers and administrators.

At the April 14th Gallatin Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, Sarah Grace Slusher and Jack Brosche of GHS DECA shared a presentation they had prepared to improve the operations of the Chamber. This presentation was the result of a study the students had done with staff and leadership for the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce and was to be presented at DECA's international conference in Orlando.

Students in the GHS Medical Assistant course completed their clinical hours with HighPoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas and had a celebration to commemorate the event. All students will soon sit for the national certification exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant.

GHS TAP students made their way to Nashville again this spring to take their Praxis Paraprofessional Certification Exam. GHS TAP students continue to perform outstanding on this exam. This certification provides them employment opportunities and makes for a great resume booster. TAP alumni have taken advantage of this certification to seek employment working with students in schools while they are going to college to complete their education degrees. Congratulations!

GHS Teaching as a Profession Program hosted their annual Educator Signing Event. Students are celebrated at this event for their accomplishments in the Teaching as a Profession Program. The students honor their partner school mentors and the person that inspired them to pursue or explore the education career path. The students sign a special certificate committing to serving students as future educators or as partners in education.

GHS Construction students rebuilt this dilapidated old shed donated from The Barn Store. The shed was moved and new floor was installed. Rafters were extended and a new metal roof was installed. Students built doors and shelves, painted it, and moved it again to its new home.

Culinary Arts students from both Gallatin High School and Liberty Creek High School participated in a friendly inter-county cooking competition.

In April - Prelaw, Criminal Justice, and Health Science programs sponsored a Mock DUI simulation in conjunction with TriStar, Hendersonville Police and Fire Departments and Emergency Management.

During the simulation, students witnessed a realistic reenactment of a car crash caused by driving under the influence. Watching peers play victims, hearing sirens and seeing emergency crews take action creates an emotional, lasting impression.

Career Day at HHS was a school-wide career exploration and exposure fair where students had the opportunity to engage with local business, industry professionals, college admissions counselors, and military recruiters to learn more about a variety of career opportunities.

Students in Medical Therapeutics researched careers in the health science field and created a Health Career Display.

HHS took 28 students to compete at HOSA State Leadership Conference in Chattanooga.

Robotics and automation fuel the supply chain for Macy's, and HHS Engineering students were able to see it all in action as they toured Macy's Logistics and Operations Center.

During this exciting day, CTE teachers and students showcased all the amazing CTE programs offered at HHS to rising freshmen from Ellis Middle and Hawkins Middle Schools.

Senior leadership members of FCCLA were celebrated in a Senior Send Off.

HHS Nutrition students baking a skillet cookie to demonstrate the nutrient fat while also satisfying teenager taste buds!

Students from Portland’s Criminal Justice and Forensic Science programs, and Hendersonville HS’s Pre-law programs teamed up in a dynamic mock crime scene simulation that took them from a staged 911 call to a full courtroom trial.

The event provided students with hands-on experience across every stage of the justice system, making theory come alive in a high-impact, interdisciplinary learning environment.

Kindergarteners from Nannie Berry Elementary School walked over to the Ag Department and were met by high schoolers to talk about all things agriculture. Students were able to practice hammering nails, handling animals, and even made a trip through the greenhouse.

HHS FFA members Mollie Brown, Allie Conner, Alexa Heinzel, and Serenity Jones won the Veterinary Science Career Development Event held at UT Martin. They will compete at Nationals in October.

Hendersonville High School students in Audio/Video Production and Broadcast Journalism classes had the opportunity to visit the NewsChannel 5 studio. They watched a live broadcast, toured the control room, newsroom, and explored a variety of careers in the broadcast news industry.

The Liberty Creek FFA Chapter attended the TN State FFA Convention in Gatlinburg in March. The chapter received recognition for being a State Superior Chapter, receiving a 2-star National Chapter award and was awarded the Platinum PLOW award. Eight of the members, Cheyenne Dickson, Olivia Reedy, Alexis Carothers, Sam Haley, Samson Seney, Clayton Warchus, Samuel Garrison and Hunter Manis received the highest degree a high school student can earn in FFA, the TN State FFA degree.

While at State Convention, the Liberty Creek Milk Quality team took an exam, identified a variety of cheeses, identified dairy & non-dairy products as well as milk defects. The team pictured below with their apple juice palate cleansers placed 1st in the Parks district, 4th in the Middle TN region and 7th in the state. Team members were Samson Seney, Ella Pigg, Anna Risolvato and Peyton Wilson.

The Liberty Creek FFA Veterinary Science Team had the opportunity to tour the campus and veterinary facilities at the University of Tennessee at Martin in April. They also were able to speak with veterinarians, college professors and current UT vet students about career paths, specifically what it takes to get into and complete vet school. The team then competed in the TN State Veterinary Science CDE where they were able to utilize the skills they have been learning in the classroom and at practices before school.

In April, the Liberty Creek Poultry Judging team competed at the TN State FFA Poultry Judging competition at Tennessee Tech University. Students took an exam, judged a live broiler class, a live layer class and a ready to eat class. They also graded exteriors and interiors of eggs, identified poultry parts, and judged boneless and bone-in processed parts. The team included Samuel Garrison, Anna Risolvato, Malak Mannon and Cheyenne Dickson, and placed 1st in the Parks District, 4th in the Middle TN Region and 8th in the state. Cheyenne Dickson placed 4th high individual in the state and Anna Risolvato placed 16th high individual.

LCHS Computer Science students went to Bridgestone Towers for the Day of Technology.The experience offered students a firsthand look at a major global company's operations and culture.One of the highlights was visiting the IT department, where students got to observe employees at work, learn about their roles, and see how collaborative and innovative the environment was.

LCHS Aviation Club is working on several aspects of aviation, from flying to drones to maintenance.

Advanced Manufacturing students at Liberty Creek High School recently completed NC3 Snap-On Precision Measurements Instruments Certification with NC3 Certified Instructor, Dr. Shepherd, becoming the first cohort to complete the certification course.

This Tier 3 - Preferred certification required each student to complete course content that included tape, rule, side caliper, gauge, angle, micrometer, and dial gauge measurement knowledge and applications. Students passed all six hands-on labs and subtests to fulfill the requirements of the promoted Precision Measurement Instruments Certification. Students spent approximately 24 hours of class and lab time to complete the six modules to obtain the certification.

MHMS students had the opportunity to attend a field trip to MNPD’s Crime Laboratory in Madison. Students learned from forensic experts about their five different labs’ scientific processes and procedures.

On Red Hand Day, Exile International, a Nashville-based nonprofit, spoke with advertising and PR students about their work in war torn Democratic Republic of the Congo. A Congolese immigrant who became an American citizen and is working on his PhD shared his story and described what is happening in the Congo. Advertising and PR students learned from international nonprofit leaders about marketing skills and strategies.

MHMS DECA students brought home the glass at DECA’s state development conference in Chattanooga. 24 MHMS students advanced to ICDC, the international competition, in Orlando in April. Congratulations to all of the competitors!

Congratulations to Sairah Chacko on her hard work as the DECA state president!

Students in Mr. Pascarella’s Criminal Justice III class had a great experience investigating a mock crime scene.

Cosmetology students in Ms. Hammock's class are practicing varying skills for the competition. Safety, sanitation, and hair treatments are just a few!

Both Brenda McNeil and Jenny Lipscomb of Portland came home with awards from the State Leadership Conference this spring. Ms. McNeil received the Rose Award, and Ms. Lipscomb received the Distinguished Service Award.

Nutrition students elevated their skills across the board—sharpening their culinary and nutrition knowledge, mastering the embroidery machine, and completing over 500 sewing and embroidery projects. They also explored important topics like family relationships and child development, turning classroom learning into meaningful, real-world experiences.

Students from Station Camp attended a career fair in March with over 60 vendors. They were able to meet potential employers and partners in the community as well as connect with trade schools and other certification programs designed for students straight out of high school. Students were able to do some hands on activities as well.

Station Camp students were able to have a private tour at ABC Trade in Nashville. Students were able to tour the facility, meet some of the teachers and also network with community partners who are willing to pay for their tuition at ABC Trade. Special thanks to Reed Hendricks for setting this up and hosting.

Health Science classes from SCHS got to go see Life Flight helicopter up close and personal meeting pilots, EMTs, Nurse Practitioners and even a mechanic for the helicopter.

Students went to Station Camp Elementary as part of their career focus week and talked to all 5th grade students about our CTE classes and the careers that are available as a part of each of the CTE clusters.

FFA student leaders hosted the entire third grade from Jack Anderson Elementary School. Each student left with a Snapdragon flower, dog treats, (along with the recipe to make more at home), and a t-shirt! They got hands-on experience in our agriculture shop and learned about opportunities in this industry and how agriculture impacts their everyday lives. A fun-filled day for all!

The Construction classes at WHS have been busy building picnic tables for flood victims in Unicoi and Greene Counties in eastern Tennessee. The Westmoreland United Methodist Church and Homepro Lumber, both located in Westmoreland, fully funded the program. The construction students built a total of 27 picnic tables that were transported by Bill Bridges, Coordinator for Mid-South Nazarene Disaster Response, to a local church that has been assisting flood victims at the center of this area so people from both counties may come obtain needed supplies.

These same students have also constructed a chicken coop and run for the CDC class at the school. Local businesses and individuals donated materials to Ms. Abby Akins' class, and it was built entirely in the shop at WHS. Once complete, it had to be transported with the assistance of the Sumner County Maintenance Department due to the size and weight of the coop! Many students and even the Maintenance men remarked, "This is better than the house I live in!"

In April, Brandon Farley with WASCO, Inc. and several other companies from the Middle Tennessee Masonry Association conducted a tradeshow through Westmoreland High School construction classes.

The masonry trade show rotated students through the following: brick stock board racing station, block laying station, a paver station, interaction with the "Mule" which is a new technological advancement in the masonry industry, a 2 ton delivery truck with a moffet /truck driver for Q and A, and a scaffold station showing the latest in scaffolding technology in the industry.

Cosmetology had great success at the regional SKILLS USA Competition! Congratulations to these students:

Aliyah Brown 1st place Acrylic Nails

Jordan Tucker 1st place Nail Art

Madison Cisco 3rd place Haircut

Ava Caldera 3rd place Braiding

Chloe Rangel 3rd place Fantasy Makeup

This semester, the students in Honors Coding Practicum elected to create a 3D horror game set in our high school annex using the Unity game engine. At the beginning of the semester, students assigned themselves to tasks such as 3D modeling, animating characters, programming AI, creating a crafting system, and even composing original music. As challenges arose, students referenced online documentation and assisted each other to find solutions.

STEM students toured the Nissan Plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, where they explored cutting-edge automotive technology and learned about the wide range of career opportunities in the industry—from engineering and robotics to design, production, and logistics.

We thank you all for an amazing year filled with meaningful opportunities and invaluable experiences for your students. We are so proud to work with Sumner County's finest educators. Enjoy your summer!

- Chase, Moriah, Cara and Becky