New Beginnings

Well, this is likely to be my last posting as a principal here at YCST. Most know at this point that I have been hired by Millersville University as a professor of education.... how exciting, but extremely bittersweet, as it's hard to imagine not being here at Tech to greet the teachers and then the students as they return for this coming school year.

I am THRILLED, though, to be leaving you in the great care of Mrs. Michelle Anderson, the new principal who officially starts on Aug. 29th. I know that you will find that she will serve you and the school well with her special set of skills. I am sure she would love to receive a welcoming greeting from you at manderson@ycstech.org.

Until that time, Mr. Graham, head of students services, will be handling any principal-like tasks that need to take place. He can be contacted at x5108 or tgraham@ycstech.org.

I wish you all a great 2011-2012 school year, and I do NOT plan to be a stranger..... you will see my face in the hallways or Tech or attending some events when I can. I've been blessed to have the opportunity to have served this school and community as a principal here.

Summer Work

Many ask, what work do principals actually do in the summer? Well, for us here at Tech, there is a lot to do. Revising handbooks, looking at and assisting teachers in revising curriculum and lesson plans, reviewing materials to make sure they match state requirements, analyzing discipline and achievement data, and hiring new staff members as needed. Phew.... and trying to fit in some vacation time too, as we all need it!

One position that we are currently trying to hire for is mine, actually. I'm sure most of you know by now (since it was in the local paper back in April) that I have accepted a tenure-track professor of education position at Millersville University for the fall. We are currently interviewing some very accomplished candidates to find the right match for the position.

On a note of student news, one of our Welding students, Jamie Bange (grade 11 in the fall) is spending his summer trying to get some certifications. If he is successful, he will be the youngest student ever in the welding program to obtain any professional level certifications.

Early Summer Notes

+ Last night, I attended another graduation ceremony in the county that had very appreciative graduates. It was the York Adams Academy, and there were approximately 50 or so students who received the honor of a high school diploma. I was there to see a very dear family friend graduate. However, I came across two former York Tech students who were able to finish out their education. One was Anthony Witmer (former Collision student) and Tanya Shaw (former A/H academy student). I was so very proud of them. Ty (as many of us remember Tanya) traveled all the way from upstate New York where she currently lives to participate in the ceremony.

+ On another note, for those students who are trying to make up some courses, summer school registration has been extended through Thursday of this week.

+ On a third note, I look for very good things to happen with the Spartan football team this year. They were already having voluntary practices starting on Monday, with an awesome turn out of athletes!

The Last Day of School

These are the two images that I like to keep in my memory from the last day of school this year, which was last Wed. The top picture shows Mr. Kessler with one of his Auto students, comparing their rebuilt cars.

The second image is, of course, that evening at the Toyota Center, where the graduation ceremony was held. In this picture, our graduates are about to move their tassles over to signify their new alumni status.

Graduation Day!

Here we are at the last school day of the year, a day that is short for underclassmen (dismissed at 11am), but long for the faculty, staff and graduates. However, the long day is worth it to participate in our wonderful graduation ceremony.

I've listed the post-secondary education plans of some of our M/T graduates below:

1) Aaron Callis, Auto: Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
2) Luiz Diaz, Collision: Universal Technical Institute (UTI)
3) Josh Hisey, Diesel: University of Northwest Ohio
4) Kurt Lippy, Auto: Universal Technical Institute (UTI)
5) Jesus Lopez, Collision: Universal Technical Institute (UTI)
6) Kyle Noel, Welding: Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn Tech)
7) Chris Rodriguez, Collision: Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Spotlight Awards Program

Tonight was the exciting Spotlight Awards Program! It was an all-school awards program to celebrate some of our most accomplished students. Many received scholarships, gifts cards, and/or tools for their trade areas in celebration of their achievements. The following list recognizes the Man/Tran students and the awards they earned:

Future Leaders of York Award: Devin Eckert (Auto)

Academic AllStars (top ten in the senior class): Kyle Harrison (Metal Machining)

Welding Awards: Jamie Bange, Kayota Beck, Cory Eid, Eric Trent, Rachel Styers, and Taylor Koller

Bud Landis Memorial Scholarship: Kyle Noel (Welding) and Cheyenne Brown (Diesel) - $1000!!!

Bud Landis Memorial Awards: Kyle Noel (Welding), Aaron Callis (Auto), Kyle Harrison (Metal Machining), Josh Hisey (Diesel), Chris Rodriguez (Collision), and Garrett Brown (Power Equipment)

Manufacturing/Transportation Academy Award: Kyle Harrison, Metal Machining

Masters of Machining Award (Tools): Kyle Harrison

Kunkle's Service Center Top Collision Student: Chris Rodriguez

Kunkle's Service Center Top Auto Mechanic: Franklyn Ramos

AASP Top Automotive Students: Aaron Callis and Kurt Lippy

Diesel Award ($50 Sears gift card!): Alec Raffensberger

Still Working....

I was so pleased that just a few days before the end of the school year, I walked through the shops and still saw students hard at work. This is exactly how it should be! It's also great to see how our 9th grade students have grown and matured. In the top picture, you see two 9th grade Metal Machining students working on one of the machines. In the bottom picture, you see three 9th grade Collision students working on repairing some structural damage.

Tonight is the Spotlight Awards program, so be on the lookout for news about Man/Tran winners in the next day or so.