-margaret mead

A l c o r n C a r e e r & T e c h n o l o g y C e n t e r

2 1 0 1 N o r m a n R o a d

C o r i n t h , M S 3 8 8 3 4

P h o n e : ( 6 6 2 ) 2 8 6 - 7 7 2 7

R o d n e y H o p p e r , D i r e c t o r

V o l u m e 5 , I s s u e 4

M a y 2 0 1 6

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution

to success is more important

than any one thing.”

-Abraham

Lincoln

“I learned the value of hard

work by working hard.”

-Margaret Mead

“ All our dreams can come true if

we have the courage to

pursue them.”

-Walt Disney

Jacob Brock has been named the 2016 ACTC Student of the Year. Jacob, the son of Pat and Angie Brock, is a senior at Kossuth High School. He is a program completer in Construction and is currently enrolled in the Metal Fabrication and Career Pathway Experience programs. Jacob has served as a Career Delegate at the Alcorn Career and Technology Center for the past two year and represents the school at public events. He has assisted with the Governor’s Job Fair at Crossroads Arena and has lead tours of our center for area ninth graders. He is a SkillsUSA member and represented our school at the district and state levels in both SkillsUSA Welding and Carpentry competitions. In 2015, Jacob was named the Northern District Student of the Month for the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation and later selected and honored as the MCEF Northern District Student of the Year. Additionally, he was recently inducted into the Alcorn Career and Technology Center’s National Technical Honor Society chapter. Jacob maintains an excellent GPA and exemplary attendance. At Kossuth High School, Jacob has been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Kossuth FFA Chapter. In FFA, Jacob competed and placed 3rd at the state level in the Meats Competition. He is also a lifelong member of Tuscumbia Baptist Church where he is active in his youth group. Jacob is known for his good work ethic. He has been employed at Gardner’s Supermarket since August 2014 as a bagger and a stocker. Jacob plans to attend NEMCC and major in Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology. As recipient of the ACTC Student of the Year Award, Jacob receives a $300 scholarship provided by Mississippi Polymers, Inc. of Corinth.

Christina Smith has been named the 2016 ACTC Citizenship Student Award winner. Christina, the daughter of Tammy Derrick, is a junior at Alcorn Central High School. She is a completer in the Teacher Academy program.

Christina has been a member of the Educators Rising Chapter at ACTC and has gained many hours of field experience, as she rotated through different elementary classrooms. She has also served as a worker in the elementary summer school program in the Alcorn School District.

Christina’s goal is to attend NEMCC for two years and, then, transfer to the University of North Alabama to become a special education teacher. Christina stated, “I want to become a blessed Special Education teacher. I want to work with students that need what I’ve needed—someone to push and encourage them along life’s path, someone they can look up to and someone they can trust.”

At Alcorn Central High School, Christina is a member of the Fast Pitch Softball Team and serves as the Girls Basketball Team Manager.

She has done community service as a volunteer at Kid’s Night at Ryan’s Steakhouse, helped with the community clean up day in Farmington, and has worked at little league basketball camp.

Christina displays a good work ethic as she works part-time at Martha’s Menu.

As recipient of the ACTC Citizenship Student Award, Christina receives a $200 scholarship provided by Mississippi Polymers, Inc. of Corinth.

Volume 5, Issue 4

Polymer Science Travis Williams

Ag. & Natural Resources

Rachel Mattox

Marketing Zadeasha Triplett

Teacher Academy Gracie Hinton

Metal Fabrication Lilian Turner

Construction Cameron Pace

Health Sciences Sarah Grace

Locke

Career Pathway Experience Jacob Brock

Automotive Service Technology Greg Miller

Digital Media Tech. Jackson Strickland

Ag. Power & Machinery

Josie Merryman

The Alcorn Career and Technology Center is pleased to announce that Colman Cook has been named the ACTC Rotary Student of the Month for April. Colman, the son of Pete and Amanda Seago, is a senior at Kossuth High School. He is a second year student in the Polymer Science program at ACTC and was nominated for this honor by his Polymer Science instructor, Mrs. Stephanie Parsons. At Kossuth High School, Colman is a member of the KHS Bowling League and Math and Science Club. As a junior, he was chosen, by his peers, as Class Favorite. As a senior, he was chosen as Class Cutie, Most Humorous, and Most Changed. Colman performs well, academically, with a 3.72 GPA and scored 28 on the ACT. At the Alcorn Career and Technology Center, he is a member of The Polymer Science Club and the National Technical Honor Society. He is also a Career Delegate at the ACTC and represents the school at public events. Colman has been a student of Polymer Science for the past two years and has become a valuable asset in that classroom. During his 11th grade year, Colman would attend one to three extra classes per week to perform lab technician and lab assistant responsibilities for the class. In November 2015, through Colman’s contributions as well as those of his teammates, ACTC Polymer Science won overall first place in the University of Southern Mississippi’s Polymer Science High School Competition. Colman’s community activities iinclude the Plaza Lanes Bowling League, serving as a tutor in math and science, and volunteering at the Northeast Mississippi WIN Job Fair. During June 2015, the ACTC Polymer Science Program held a Polymer Science High Tech Summer Camp for underprivileged children from our community and Colman served as a volunteer. .

Law & Public Safety Reese Wilbanks

After graduation, Colman plans to attend the University of Mississippi and major in Chemical Engineering.

Volume 5, Issue 4

Submitted by: Brandon Derrick, ACHS Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor On April 8, 2016, the Alcorn Central FFA Chapter Placed 1st in the State Farm Business Management Career Development Event held at Mississippi State University. This qualifies them to represent the state of Mississippi in October at the 89th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The National FFA Farm Business Management Career Development Event provides competition that fosters information assimilation, critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for successful business management. The skills learned in this event can be used to successfully manage a farm, pursue agricultural business careers and can be applied to personal financial management. The National FFA Farm Business Management Career Development Event enhances and encourages opportunities for all participants to receive instruction that develops business management skills

From Left to Right: Bradley Hughes, Anna Kolby Mynatt, and Jordan Hutsell.

On Friday, April 1, 2016, financial aid representatives from Northeast Mississippi Community College visited the Alcorn Career and Technology Center campus and assisted students and their parents with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA Assistance Day is a yearly event, at our center, which is hosted as a part of the ACTC Guidance and Student Services programs. We greatly appreciate Greg Windham and the Financial Aid staff at NEMCC for making this service available to our students and their parents.

Pictured, above, are Bridget Johnson and Kerisa Thrasher, representatives from the NEMCC Financial Aid Department.

Business Fundamentals/Marketing and Polymer Science students discovered a new experience in shopping for North Mississippi. These students toured the new Tanger Outlet Mall in Southaven on March 23rd. Lexi Harris, mall manager, talked with the students about the grand opening, upcoming events, and plans for phase two of the facility. She also described the responsibilities of her job, and how she achieved this level in her career. Customer service is at the forefront of every employee’s responsibility at the mall, including Mrs. Harris. It is her job to make sure every customer has a pleasant experience and wants to return. She stated that marketing is her favorite part of the job and that the primary focus of marketing Tanger Outlet is to drive sales and traffic to the mall. Students were able to see in action the concepts they have learned in class. Students also had the opportunity to visit the 70 stores in the facility. The day after the tour, students were able to discuss why certain stores were located in particular areas and the importance of the right anchor stores to mall success.

Volume 5, Issue 4

Submitted by: Katriena Burgess, Freshman Focus Instructor

Freshman Focus Year I…Success

Alcorn Central High School took a leap this year and started a new Freshman Focus course at the high school campus. As with any new endeavor, there have been bumps and bruises along the way. However, year #1 seems to have been a success! All freshmen were enrolled in the new course offering the Keystone curriculum that was approved in early 2015 by the Mississippi Department of Education. Students were introduced to the nationally recognized career clusters through both traditional classroom instruction methods and the use of electronic and hands on teaching strategies. Each week, students discussed careers related to one of the sixteen career clusters from Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources to Transportation, Distribution and Logistics. Various members of the community who are experts in their chosen careers and who have an interest seeing youth prepare for their future came to the class and spoke to the students on the importance of preparing for tomorrow through educational preparation and the development of “soft skills” needed in the workforce. Teamwork, respect, dedication, compassion, and communication were keywords for the year. Students worked together to create the classroom climate and classroom standards that were followed through each semester. “Freshman Focus is just one part of a long term plan that we hope will allow our 9th graders to be more aware and focused as they continue through high school,” said Katriena Burgess. Burgess is the instructor of the course at ACHS. “If we can help them to see that there is a purpose in the courses that they are taking as they move through the sophomore, junior and senior years, we hope to see an increase in high school completion, scholarships awarded, and success rates at the community college and university levels. We also want to see our students looking seriously at career preparation courses at our Alcorn County Career and Technology Center, “ Burgess said. Plans for the upcoming year include adding field trips to college campuses and industries for the freshman class. There are also plans being made to implement a job fair event for students in sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth grade specifically. Although jobs are not in their immediate future, the fair will allow them the opportunity to work on networking skills and receive guidance from area leaders. Additional plans include adding events that promote individual career clusters. An Hour of Code event is also being planned for December 2016.

Above, students work on architecture and construction projects. Below, the marketing manager and D.J. from a local radio station speak to the class during the Arts A/V Technology career cluster.

Below, Regions Bank representative, Rebecca Spence, discusses Banking and Finance careers and goal setting and Nan Nethery, Teacher Academy instructor, speaks to class about the Teacher Academy course at the Career Center.

Each career cluster involved a problem solving activity that required students to investigate, plan, implement and evaluate a process.

Volume 5, Issue 4

Award Nominees

Studying and Spaghetti

Submitted by: Diane Daughtry, Business Fundamentals/Marketing Instructor and DECA Advisor Celebrating a job well done, Business Fundamentals and Marketing students enjoyed a reward dinner at Café Mikes on Tuesday, May 3. The purpose of this special occasion was to honor high scores on state testing and program completers. This dinner also served as the last DECA meeting of the 2015-2016 school year. Several parents were in attendance to help recognize those students being honored. It was a perfect ending to a great year.

Submitted by: Chelsea Jackson, DECA President DECA members had many different learning activities while preparing for CPAS (their state test). One fun study night was a DECA meeting combined with a spaghetti supper. Students and parents played review games, discussed test taking skills, and enjoyed food and fellowship together. Thanks to Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Daughtry for the great meal.

The Alcorn Career and Technology Center nominees for the 2016 ACTC Student of the Year and 2016 ACTC Citizenship Student Awards were recognized during our May 6th Awards Program. Each student nominee represented their program and received a trophy.

Citizenship Student Awards:

Hunter Carr—Ag and Natural Resources

Kaleb Wilbanks—Ag Power and Machinery

T.J. Essary—Automotive Service Technology

Ashley Martin—Construction

Carleigh Holt—Digital Media

Colby Crenshaw—Health Sciences

Paytlyn Hite—Law and Public Safety

DeAnna King—Marketing

Ben Spencer—Metal Fabrication

Col Cook—Polymer Science

Christina Smith—Teacher Academy

Student of the Year Awards:

Matthew Lambert—Ag and Natural Resources

Hunter Fiveash—Ag Power and Machinery

Tyler Davis—Automotive Service Technology

Ethan Davis—Construction

Brionna Fleming—CPE

Daniel Simpson—Digital Media Technology

Montana Elam—Health Sciences

Chris Jones—Law and Public Safety

Ryan Borders—Marketing

Jacob Brock—Metal Fabrication

Shyna Dilworth—Polymer Science

Sierra Kyle—Teacher Academy

Volume 5, Issue 4

Hammock placed 1st at State in Dental Terminology. Jared Holstein, Justin Cornelius & Cody Hubanks will debate at the national level as the Biomedical Debate Team. If you see them, wish them luck! They’ve worked very hard to get to this point. Bring home some wins boys! Below—Second year students practice their pharmacy skills; students compete at the state HOSA level; and students take a break from competition while visiting the Bass Pro Shop in Pearl, MS.

Submitted by: Tila Johnson, Health Sciences Instructor The Health Science students rocked the CPAS State Assessment this year!!! Year 1 & year 2 had a 100% pass rate with 13 scoring Advanced and many just a point or 2 away!! We have completed our community service this year by assisting with the organization C.A.U.S.E. for Autism Awareness on April 9th. The Students really enjoy helping with this every year. The second year students took their last educational tour through the Diagnostics Departments at MRHC. We truly thank MRHC for being a big part of our education. We successfully, as a group, educated over 400 Kindergarten students from the County and City school districts through our annual K Health Fair. The 2nd year students also went into several Kindergarten classrooms and Pre-K classrooms this year to educate them specifically on proper Handwashing in an interactive and fun way! The first year students wrapped up the year with neuro skills while the second year students “played” pharmacy. We are now preparing to show out at HOSA’s International Leadership Conference in Nashville beginning on June 22nd. Austin

Submitted by: Reggie Anderson, Law and Public Safety Instructor The Law & Public Safety class has been hard at work over the last nine weeks. Students had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers with the Mississippi Highway Patrol and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Both agencies spoke about the qualification and hiring process to become part of their agency. Students also learned about DUI enforcement and the prosecution of a DUI. Motor vehicle collision investigation was a subject area that sparked the student’s interest. They got to work a wreck and fill out the Mississippi Uniform Crash Report. Students learned about different types of drugs and the potential dangers of each. Students also learned the duties and importance of the FBI, ATF, DEA, crime labs, Fire Marshals and other state and federal agencies.

Volume 5, Issue 4

Submitted by: Steve Shaw, Digital Media Technology Instructor Digital Media Technology students created a five-minute video commemorating the reopening of the historic Civil War era Veranda House in downtown Corinth. This was done as a community service project for the non-profit Veranda/Curlee House Foundation. The students spent the day filming the festivities, then edited the footage and created a soundtrack using Civil War Era music they created using Logic Pro X software.

Ag Power has been busy finishing out the year collecting and storing metal donated by local business / industry. Engines have been stored and several students are getting in some last minute welding practice. We have had amazing year and we are looking forward to the Fall when we begin work on a brand new year. Below, are some photos from our activities this nine weeks.

Submitted by: David Nowell and Dennis Deaton, ACTC Agriculture Instructors The ACTC FFA has had a very busy spring. We recently had students participating in the FFA state contest at Mississippi State. Emily Barnes, Newton Barnes, Mathew Lambert and Kaleb Wilbanks made up the Forestry Team. Carley Ray Freeman, Michelle Drinnon, Madison Jacobs and Rachel Mattox participated in our first ever Food Science team. Brandon Curtis, Courtland Godwin, and Bryan Smith made up the Farm Business Management Team. Congratulations to all these students. Something very special to us here at the Alcorn Career & Technology Center is our annual FFA banquet. This year marked our 44th annual event. We celebrated the accomplishments of our FFA members with their families. Many students received their awards , trophies , and plaques for the work they have done all year long. Thank you to everyone who helped with this event. Agriculture and Natural Resources was busy preparing for the annual spring plant sale. This year there were Boston ferns, Kimberly queen ferns and our biggest seller—the macho fern. Also available were annuals and tomato and pepper plants. Proceeds go toward greenhouse production for next year.

Volume 5, Issue 4

On Thursday, May 5, 2016, Teacher Academy students toured the Alcorn School District’s Central Office. Mrs. Kimberly Woodard introduced TA students to individuals in the different departments and also explained how the departments work together to help make the school district run smoothly. Pictured below, Lillie, Quameka, Baleigh, Jacob, and Samantha listen as Mrs. Helen Isbell tells about her job as the MSIS coordinator for the district. Mrs. Tammy Johnson was also on hand to explain her position as Testing and Curriculum Coordinator. Students’ eyes were opened to the fact that there are many people working behind the scenes to keep a school district functioning.

Submitted by: Nan Nethery, Teacher Academy Instructor

Each year Teacher Academy students are required to take the CPAS exam. Students work hard preparing for “The Big Test” by playing Kahoot and Quizlet review games. Implementing technology is something all students enjoy and this was no exception. Pictured above are 2nd block students, Gracie, Michaela, Vicki and Courtney working together to decide on the right answer choice before making a team selection on their cell phones. By the way, Teacher Academy students knocked the socks off the CPAS exam this year with a large majority scoring advanced. Way to go Teacher Academy!!!

On Monday, May 2, 2016, Mrs. Nan Nethery and her Teacher Academy students paid a visit to the Kossuth Elementary School’s Early Intervention Special Education classroom. Mrs. Michelle Mitchell, teacher, explained much about the program, introduced TA to some of her students, and conducted an activity for students to watch. Early intervention is a system of services that helps babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. Early intervention focuses on helping eligible babies and toddlers learn the basic and brand-new skills that typically develop during the first three years of life. Many of Mrs. Nethery’s students have shown an interest in working with Special Education this year during his/her field experience.

Volume 5, Issue 4

Several finishing skills are required to make a good end-product such as sanding with varying grades of sand paper. Mold making helps students realize how synthetic polymer products are formed into the many shapes and forms they take. Students are in charge of the process from design through to product finishing. Each step of this process requires honing detail oriented skills. Students monitor the process and work to improve each step in order to form a quality end-product. Students cut out their design traced onto wood. Using the finish mold, they then vacuum form a replica onto a sheet of polystyrene. Using water and a graduated cylinder, students determine the volume of the form. Students then determine the resin ratio needed, this leads to students calculating the required mass of each part of resin. Abstract concepts, like calculating mass using volume and density, are difficult to grasp; with the application of hands-on practice students have a much better chance to attain a useful mastery of an otherwise difficult concept. Memory in plastics is a lab all always enjoy. Students are amazed at the acrylic cubes return to its original shape after being compressed in the hydraulic press. Practice must be taken in assuring the cubes thickness at squishing, then that pigments go only in the places where they are supposed to, as well as students measuring cube thickness to determine the depth of the drilled holes in the cube. Squishing too far can cause cracks... not good, drilling through the cube would mar a neat finished product… and cooked pigment on the cooled cube won’t look so good either. Students are learning a great deal with every successful completion of every lab. Students have worked with saturating solutions to gain practice with the Bunsen burner and other associated tools. The last couple of things we are going to do to end the year is learn to solder effectively and test and repair network cables. Students are learning multiple skills that will make them a force to reckon with in the work force. My best to all! Have an amazing summer!

Submitted by: Joyce Suitor, Student Services Coordinator

The Student Services Department would like to thank the students who came to our room, the last couple of months, for extra tutoring on their CPAS, ASVAB and state tests. They worked very hard and many of them made high scores as a result of their hard work. This year we had more students who allowed us to help them with their test. We are proud the students took advantage of the help available to them. We would also like to thank the instructors who allowed their students this extra time in tutoring. Several of the students passed their state test and will now be able to walk with their graduating class. We look forward to seeing many of our students return next year. Congratulations to the completers and our graduating students. We wish you the best and hope you are successful in life.

Submitted by: Stephanie Parsons, Polymer Science Instructor

Polymer Science is Busy as Ever - Building Employability Skills So this is what we have been doing… safety training, CNC mill, soldering, hand tools, power tools, mold making, growing crystals, vacuum forming, casting resins, mold finishing, product finishing, network cables, 3D printing, and memory in polymers with acrylic. It is a mouthful but it is fun… Students have been making molds designed from images they have found online. Students print their design, they pounce the sketch onto a piece of wood, and then using hand and power tools they cut out and finish their mold. The types of tools they are using are: drill press, band saw, scroll saw, belt sander, Dremel drill and engraver.

Volume 5, Issue 4

Our Officers for the upcoming school year 2016 – 2017 are: President – Kayla Lee

Vice President – Kaitlyn Box Treasurer – Benjamin Marshall

Secretary – Chelsea Watson Reporter – Travis Williams

Ambassador – Austin Burcham Alumni Ambassador -Colman Cook

Polymer Science

Projects

Polymer Science Skills Club Award Dinner On Tuesday, May 3rd Polymer Science had its awards and Skills recognition dinner at New China Buffet. Our Polymer Science Club Skills officers also were announced and introduced. Second Year Polymer Science students in attendance were recognized for advanced scores on the CPAS Performance Based Assessment as well as advanced on the CPAS online exam. The Polymer Science Skills Club Quiz Bowl Team was recognized for scoring first place overall at state. This has been a proud moment for many students. First year students in attendance were recognized for excellence in work ethic and were given a preview as to what to expect for next year’s awards for second year students. Needless to say the New China Buffet food was a hit, and the parents in attendance appeared proud to share this Polymer Science Moment with us. We are grateful to all the parents who came and look forward to seeing you again at other Polymer Science events.

Officers were congratulated and presented with certificates.

Volume 5, Issue 4

A Very Good Day For Polymer Science USM brought Polymer Science and Quiz Bowl team members the coveted trophy for first place overall at the 8th Annual Polymer Science High School State Competition. Students were very excited and we had several distinguished guests. Alcorn School District’s Superintendent, Larry B. Mitchell, as well as The Alliance President, Gary Chandler, participated in our event and were very impressed with what they found happening at our center. Sara Brayley, Testing Services and Quality Leader at the Mississippi Polymer Institute, presented the trophy on behalf of Dr. James Rawlins and the School

of Polymer Science at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Above: The trophy the students received. Right: Students Ben Marshall, Col Cook and Kayla Lee demonstrate the 3D Printer interface to Mr. Chandler.

Submitted by: Jesse Potts, Metal Fabrication Instructor The fourth nine weeks has been a busy time as our program has been preparing for the CPAS and working on various projects. One major project we are working on, in conjunction with the Ag Power and Machinery program, is building bleachers for Alcorn Central High School. Pictured, below, is Mr. Jesse Potts, along with Valerie Hughes, who is practicing her MIG welding skills on the bleacher project.

Newsletter compiled by:

Jennifer Koon,

Alcorn CTE Counselor The Alcorn Career and Technology Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts

and other designated youth groups. Inquiries should be directed to the Alcorn School District

Superintendent at P.O. Box 1420, Corinth, MS 38835, (662) 286-5591.

Volume 5, Issue 4

The Alcorn Career and Technology Center’s Annual Awards Day was held on Friday, May 6, 2016, at the Alcorn Education Center. Some of the awards for the day included certificates of program completion, perfect attendance awards, outstanding student awards, NTHS honor cords and the ACTC Citizenship and Student of the Year Award nominees and overall winners. The following are just a few photos from the event.

-margaret mead

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