Eastern Technical High School
December 2023 Community Newsletter
MOCK INTERVIEW DAY RECAP
Mock Interview Day for the Junior Class of 2025 was held on November 1st. This first time event was a huge success, thanks to our business partners and the 50+ volunteers who showed up to be volunteer interviewers, for whom without, this event would not have been possible.
Many students who have never interviewed before were a bit anxious about the idea of meeting with a stranger and not knowing what to expect. However, the experience proved beneficial as students recognized the value of an interview on training wheels. Students gained confidence in themselves, heard valuable feedback from the interviewers and walked out with a sense of pride after knowing they put their best foot forward.
Some hard take-aways included the need to proofread resumes, have answers prepared for common questions, the importance of making eye contact, being confident in oneself, and understanding that an interview is a conversation, not an interrogation.One student, who ranked their nervousness as a 9/10 felt pleased with the outcome because the interviewer made them feel comfortable, and they believe that this experience (being their first interview, ever) has allowed them to get a glimpse of what an interview can be like. While a student who has interviewed in the past acknowledged that this experience gave insight to the fact that every interview and interviewer will be unique in their own way.
Interviewers enjoyed their time interacting with students to teach them about the interviewing process. Many commented on how articulate and well rounded students were, and how they enjoyed meeting so many young people with solid career goals and action steps in place for their future. Interviewers appreciated that the students were well prepared with resumes ready to present, and believed this type of event is easy, quick and meaningful for both students and themselves. Students are able to gain valuable feedback, and business partners get to maintain contact with youth while learning about their insights and skill sets.
Following are businesses, organizations, and individuals we would like to thank for giving their time to ETHS on November 1st, making the Mock Interview Day a success:
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority: Danae Dawkins, Dione Johnson, Ivory Lipscomb-Warren, Lynn
- McCammie and Geroma Void
- Atlantic Financial Federal Credit Union: Christian Colon
- Baltimore County Economic & Workforce Development: Leah Dalheimer and Michael
- McLean
- Baltimore County Government - Office of Facilities Management: Kathy Angstadt
- Baltimore County Public Library: Nicole Wilson
- Baltimore County Public Schools - CTE: Val Brennan and Alica Fales
- Bracco Diagnostics: Brian Cherundolo
- Brian Thanner
- Chick-fil-A Eastpoint: Tia McLaughlin
- Community Action Network (C.A.N.): Dale Eddings and Shapreice Shears-Motley
- Coppin State College: Emmanuel Anorou
- DRD Pools: Corey Hill
- Elizabeth Irwin
- Entrust Solutions: Carl Core, Chris Eastwood, Joe Gomez and Mallory Savage
- Erickson Senior Living - Oak Crest: Sirus Proctor (ETHS ℅ 2019) and Walter Holmes
- Evalyn Johnson
- First Financial Federal Credit Union: Caey Thomasson
- Hatzel & Buehler: Christel York, Jim Sauter and Tim Sauter
- JATC Local #24: Hannah Cavin and Dave Springham
- Jayme Harget
- Kathy Krawczyk
- Kevin Applegate
- Level the PLaying Field: Brandon Wright
- Lockheed Martin: Isaiah Ramsay (ETHS ℅ 2003)
- Morgan State University: Dr. Lewis Waller
- NPL: Janice Clark
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity: Robert Carter, Raymond Coleman, Lamont Martin and Larry
- Salmond
- Pricilla Cheun-Ing
- Shannon Weaver
- Shapiro: Rebecca Schoene
- SNOblast DMV: Erika Czap
- Swag Dog: Tom Jones
- Terry Otto
- Tim Sweeney
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: MADISON U.
Maddie U. is a current senior in the Culinary program at Eastern Tech. Maddie is completing her internship at the Baltimore Country Club (BCC), working directly under the Executive Pastry Chef Lydia Eichhorst. Maddie learned about this internship opportunity after participating in a field trip to the Country Club that exposed students to the various job/career options available. After hearing about various types of jobs in Culinary Services side of the operations at BCC, Executive Chef Richard Jallet shared some photos with Maddie of the amazing work Chef Lydia puts together for various events at the Club. Maddie knew, right away, that she wanted to inquire about an internship.
BCC was happy to see such interest from a young person who knew she specifically wanted to do pastry work. When asked what it has been like to work with a high school student, and with Maddie in particular, Chef Lydia had the following to say:
“Working with Maddie has been an absolute pleasure. She brings a different type of energy and an infectious positive attitude when she comes into the bakeshop. I can always count on her to ask questions and to show enthusiasm when taking on new tasks. She seamlessly fits in with everyone around her, making it seem like she’s been working with us for a while, not just a short few months. It’s been wonderful to see Maddie grow as well. She’s become more confident to voice her ideas when we’re planning new menus. One of her ideas is on the restaurant’s new holiday dessert menu. I cannot wait to see what else Maddie has in store.
Maddie has set a wonderful precedent when working with high school students. She is very flexible when it comes to hours. As the hospitality working hours are constantly fluctuating and sometimes, we have late events. She’s been more than willing to stay later or come in on free days to help with production. Maddie has a professional attitude and willingness to learn which makes her an invaluable part of our pastry team. I look forward to watching Maddie grow in her internship with us.”
When asked how she would describe her experience at BCC, here is what Maddie had to say:
“I would describe BCC as a family. Even though I am new, everyone is always friendly and will provide you with assistance when in need. During my time here, Chef Lydia has shown me various techniques and skills on different dishes. With only a few months into my experience, I have already shown improvement and growth as I’m working towards my career within the field. I love collaborating and seeing the ideas of the pastry team come to life!”
Maddie is a busy young lady, holding down her job at BCC, putting in two 8-hour days each week, while also working a second job at the Cake & Wedding Cottage in Fullerton, and she is working seasonally at the present time on a tree farm. Not to mention, she is a straight-A student completing several Honors/GT level courses; obviously not immune to hard work!
Speaking of work, Maddie plans to remain in the workforce after graduation. Stating that she would “100% stay at BCC if offered the job.” But her work ethic does not end there. She is planning to attend community college to pursue a business degree while taking pastry courses online. Sounds like an entrepreneur waiting to happen!
Enjoy the photos that accompany this article. You’ll see Maddie (pictured in the middle) with a few co-workers, Gen and Bruna, as well as Maddie working on plating items for a recent event at the Club (images include a cinnamon roll with chocolate cream cheese glaze, salted caramel drizzle and sea salt, and a poached pear tart with frangipane and rosemary caramel). Maddie admits that she loves all aspects of her work at the Baltimore Country Club, but finds plating to be one of the highlights of the job.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: ARIELLE R.
Arielle R. IS a student in the Academy of Health Professions program completing her internship experience at Mace Medical Center. Arielle started working with Mace Medical, part time, in April of 2023 and continued her employment with them throughout the summer. Her work experience transitioned into a senior year internship opportunity. Over the course of her tenure, Arielle has grown from front desk reception and appointment scheduling to working directly with a doctor and his nurse practitioner as they attend to patients at the medical center. Aside from the usual patient check-in procedures of manual blood pressure checks and completing patient questionnaire information into the patient's computer file, Arielle has been able to administer various shots (flu, vit.B) and has also done ear cleaning for some patients.
The office manager at Mace Medical shared that Arielle is “a very mature, dependable, reliable, and congenial person who exhibits a high level of intelligence and enthusiasm for learning.She will succeed in all endeavors. She set the standard very high for other students. It is GREAT having her at our office. All staff and providers enjoy working with her.” Arielle’s immediate supervisor, Alexis, spoke of how incredibly helpful Arielle has been since she on-boarded over 6 months ago, stating that she is very reliable and mature for her age.
“Arielle works so well with EVERYONE from our patients to our front desk staff, clinical back staff, as well as our Mace Medical providers. She really takes the initiative to try and learn new things, and she is a very fast learner at that! Arielle is very good with taking direction and constructive criticism and is not afraid to ask for help or clarification. As a high school student, she does extremely well in situations that might arise with patients and always handles everything in a professional but personable manner so staff and patients are comfortable talking to her. All in all she is truly a delight to work with and has made quite the impression at Mace Medical. We know she has a very bright future ahead of her.”
When asked to reflect on her experience at Mace Medical, she spoke of how she has grown and is truly grateful for the experience; the words came easy for her: “Mace Medical has provided me with an indescribable opportunity. When I first started I was welcomed by every staff member, and everyone was willing to teach me routine procedures and advance my education as a Medical Assistant. At Mace Medical, questions are welcomed, and at every possible moment my supervisors and managers make everyday situations a teaching environment. I have been able to strengthen skills such as organization, time management, communication, and empathy while working at Mace Medical.”
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: MIA H.
Mia H., a student in the Academy of Health Professions program, has been kept busy working within the Office of Related Service for the Department of Special Education of the Baltimore County school system. Hoping to pursue a career in speech-language pathology (SLP), Mia was fortunate enough to be paired with Voni Vilitio an SLP servicing students at two local elementary schools, and she also assists one day each week at the Assistive Technology office. In the school setting, Mia works in full-needs classroom settings, as well as with small groups or individual students as needed. Reflecting on her experience to date, Mia said:
“Working with Voni Vilitio has been such an incredible experience. Her easy going attitude and flexibility allows me to ask questions when needed. Her amazing experience and technique allows me to gain knowledge about what it takes to be a speech pathologist. I have learned so much on the job by watching Voni conduct sessions with the children and being able to assist her. Every child comes with different challenges and it teaches me to be accommodating and think outside the box when figuring out how to best meet their needs. I love the diversity in special needs and how I learn new things every single day. When I work in the Assistive Technology office once a week, I learn how to construct and program student communication devices in order to give students their “words”. I really enjoy the different work settings as it gives me more opportunities in the field. Everyone has been so friendly and helpful with my presence and has assisted me in the career I aspire to have.”
My November site visit allowed me to see Mia exhibit a great level of maturity and awareness for the settings gets incorporated into daily, and it is clear that she enjoys her experiences. I witnessed Mia working one-to-one with a student as she assisted him with his tablet to properly identify words, in this case, the word “go,” so that he could have a turn with group activities on the big screen in the classroom. She was also working with another student in the same classroom who was seeking attention and affection that was needed to get her through the classroom activity. Mia has also demonstrated capabilities of keeping students engaged and on task and stopping any undesirable behavior she may witness. Each visit proves to be more impressive than the next. I look forward to seeing Mia continue to grow throughout her internship experience.
Vonie, Mia’s Mentor, had the following to say about the time they have spent together thus far: “It has been a pleasure working with Mia this school year. She is enthusiastic about working in the field of Speech-Language Pathology! She shows this through her eagerness to learn about the field, her dependability to assist in any way, and her passion to better the lives of the students and staff. Mia has easily become a part of the team and school community. In the future, she will be an asset to whichever professional field she works in.
Having a high school intern has been so much fun! It is such a great opportunity for high school students to experience what it's like working in a professional setting. It has also been a great opportunity for someone (like me) in the profession to have a positive impact on the future generation and the field of Speech-Language Pathology.”
About Us
Eastern Technical High School is a magnet school of choice offering nine career major programs for students in grades 9 – 12. Eastern Tech is currently ranked by Newsweek Magazine among the top 5% of all high schools nationwide and by U. S. News & World Report as “one of America’s Top High Schools.” Our success is the result of a clearly focused student body, a dedicated and supportive faculty, and strong parent and community involvement.
Website: https://easterntechhs.bcps.org
Location: 1100 Mace Avenue, Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 443-809-0190
Twitter: @EasternTechHS