Career and Technical Education

Greetings,

As some of you may know, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It is a time to give thanks and gratitude for the many blessings we have. Some of you may be missing loved ones that are no longer with you and your family. I often reflect on those that have laid the foundation for who I am today. During this time, I hope you enjoy time with your family, friends, and loved ones. I hope you are able to recharge and refresh whether you are traveling or spending time at home.

We have a lot of great work to do as we get closer to the end of the semester. What an honor and privilege it is to encourage students and I am grateful for your dedication to helping students to become better citizens.

Best wishes,

Zac

Huntsville City Schools Lead Alabama in CyberPatriot 18

After the state championship qualifying rounds of CyberPatriot 18, Huntsville City Schools CyberPatriot Centers of Excellence are leading the way in Alabama.

In the All Service (JROTC) division, Lee/New Century holds first place, while Huntsville High is ranked number one in the Open division. Other top performers in the All Service division include Huntsville High, ranked 4th, and Grissom High, ranked 5th. In the Open division, Grissom High is 3rd, and New Century is 5th. Adding to the excitement, Huntsville High also had a second team qualify for the Platinum level state championships, demonstrating the depth and talent of Huntsville City Schools students in cybersecurity competitions.

These standings highlight the strong programs across Huntsville City Schools and the dedication of students and coaches in preparing for state-level competition.

Color Guard Event for LHS and NCTHS JROTC Program

We are very proud to brag about Dakota Smith of Grissom High School! He is the very first Work-Based Learning student to participate in Southland Transportation’s Diesel Apprenticeship program.

Each day at work, he clocks in, suits up, and gets to work on real maintenance tasks — from preventive checks to replacing belts and filters. He supports experienced mechanics while learning the tools, safety practices, and physical demands of the industry.

Dakota chose this path because he's always loved working with his hands. Growing up around cars and welding, he wanted more than a classroom experience. He says the shop environment feels like the real world: you learn fast, show respect, and put in effort. For students who like hands-on learning and are ready for responsibility, this opportunity opens doors to a future career.

CHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students attended the District 6 Workshop at Snead State Community College Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

FBLA prepares students for careers in business and leadership through activities like competitions, community service, and leadership development programs. It is a national career and technical student organization that brings together students interested in business and helps them develop skills in areas like communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

FBLA also offers opportunities for members to compete for awards and scholarships.

The FBLA students had a great time learning, networking, and growing at the District 6 Workshop.

Rometha Holman, FBLA Adviser

Marqavius King, Co-Adviser

Darius Steger, Co-Adviser

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students decorated the halls for Breast Cancer Awareness Month by creating beautiful, decorative displays and large bulletin boards using pink and white balloons, pink paper, ribbons, boots, and hay to represent the theme, “Boots Off to Breast Cancer!” They even helped to organize different "pink" events and other awareness initiatives like the Breast Cancer Walk under the guidance of their adviser, Mrs. Holman.

The students had a candy fundraiser to help raise money and T-shirts made for the Breast Cancer Walk to honor survivors and support the cause.

The students and teachers learned the importance of understanding the signs of breast cancer and taking proactive steps like regular self-exams for early detection. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer!"

During October, CHS FBLA student members decorated the halls, shared breast cancer awareness information with faculty and staff, and proudly wore pink to show their support. Students also created posters and participated in the FBLA Breast Cancer Walk around the campus to honor survivors and promote early detection.

Special thanks to everyone who collaborated with FBLA adviser and students to make this event a great success!

Precision Machining - Drake State Competition

After two qualifying rounds of CyberPatriot 18, Huntsville High School has the top ranked team in the State and is scoring in the 97 percentile in the nation over all divisions and tiers.

Team members include seniors, Austill Baker, Andrew Buchholz, Zyaan Kahn, and Walker Williams along with underclassmen, Owen Brown and Sam McMillion.

Andrew Buchholz, Zyaan Kahn, Walker Williams and Sam McMillion were all members of last year's State Champion team.

Nine students across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels competed to showcase their skills against 6 other schools and over 50 competitors.

Logan Wilson won first in the advanced contest. Logan showcased his skills on every welding process and competed against 20 others in his category.

Mason Conn won second in the intermediate contest. During his contest he was challenged with reading a blueprint, fitting, and welding utilizing GTAW.

We are happy with the efforts of all of our students who attend the event and are super excited that we get to bring home the Drake State Welding trophy to spend the next year in our new HCT building.

Congratulations to our November WBL-COOP Student Employee of the Month, Olivia Matich!
Olivia serves at Huntsville Hospital under the supervision of Site Manager Staci Nelson, and represents Coordinator Kathi Johnson’s WBL-COOP program with excellence.

Olivia has demonstrated exceptional professionalism, maturity, and a strong work ethic in the Neurology ICU. Her manager consistently praises her curiosity, willingness to learn, and commitment to growing in a high-intensity healthcare environment.

On her very first day, Olivia was given the option to be excused from observing a sensitive patient-care procedure involving a deceased patient. Instead, she chose to observe respectfully, eager to understand all aspects of the medical field. This moment highlighted her resilience, compassion, and readiness to learn.

Olivia specifically requested a placement in the neurology department, inspired by her grandfather’s battle with Parkinson’s disease. She hopes to one day advance treatments and contribute to breakthroughs that improve the lives of families and communities affected by neurological diseases.

With a long-term goal of becoming a neurosurgeon, Olivia views her WBL experience in the Neurology ICU as the first major step toward a career of purpose and impact. Her dedication and drive show she is well on her way to achieving her dreams—perhaps even becoming one of the best neurosurgeons of the future.

We are incredibly proud to spotlight Olivia Matich for her outstanding performance in the WBL-COOP program at Huntsville High School.

We are proud to recognize Kathi Johnson, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, on her appointment as Vice President of the Alabama Association of Career Technical Education (AACTE) Work-Based Learning Section.

Kathi and the WBL Section leadership team successfully hosted their first professional development session on November 20, 2025, at the AIDT George Howard Training Center in Montgomery. The session welcomed approximately 30 in-person and 30 virtual participants, providing valuable updates, resources, and effective systems to support Work-Based Learning programs across Alabama.

Kathi’s commitment to serving, leading, and sharing best practices continues to strengthen partnerships between education, industry, and innovation statewide. We are incredibly proud of her efforts and the positive impact she brings to Alabama’s WBL initiatives.

Professional Development Details

Empowering Work-Based Learning: Bridging Connections Between Education, Industry, and Innovation
Date: November 20, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: AIDT George Howard Training Center, Montgomery, AL
Credit: 4 Hours PD Credit | CEU Credit Available
PD Course #: 297089 | Section #: 547858
Access via True North Logic: https://alsde.truenorthlogic.com

2025–2026 AACTE WBL Section Leadership Team

• Audrey Marshall, President – Auburn High School

• Kathi Johnson, Vice President – Huntsville City Schools

• Dorothy Gibson, Secretary – Woodlawn High School

• Crystal Peden, Treasurer – Madison County Schools

• Tara Green, Officer – Elmore County Schools

On Tuesday, November 11th, Columbia High School’s Eagle Battalion proudly participated in Huntsville’s Annual Veteran’s Day Parade alongside the school’s band and cheerleaders. Marching through the streets in formation, the cadets demonstrated pride, discipline, and respect as they honored the nation’s veterans. The combined efforts of the Eagle Battalion, the band’s powerful performances, and the cheerleaders’ spirited energy created a memorable tribute to those who have served our country.

988- Suicide and Crisis Hotline

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

New Century Technology High School senior Karis Metuge is already charting an impressive path toward a future in Civil Engineering. As a dedicated scholar in the Engineering Strand, Karis has always shown a strong interest in how communities are built, strengthened, and sustained. Recently, she had the opportunity to take that passion a step further.

Karis met with Mr. Mark Walsh of Freedom Real Estate & Capital, the Project Manager overseeing the construction of the new Student Amenities Building at Alabama A&M University. During their conversation, Karis was able to ask in-depth questions about the field, explore different pathways within engineering, and better understand what structural professionals do on a daily basis. Mr. Walsh’s guidance helped her clarify exactly which major aligns with her long-term goals.

Armed with new insight and inspiration, Karis is now planning to major in Structural Engineering with a minor in Architecture. Her dedication has already opened doors—she has been accepted to more than eight universities! Leading her list are The University of Alabama, Auburn University, and The University of Alabama at Birmingham, all schools known for their outstanding engineering programs.

We extend a special thank-you to Mr. Mark Walsh for his willingness to pour into the next generation of engineering leaders. His time, expertise, and encouragement made a meaningful impact. Additional appreciation goes to Ms. Vindetta Medlock for facilitating the connection and scheduling this invaluable conversation.

Karis’s future is undoubtedly bright, and we look forward to watching her continued success in the world of engineering and design.

Email: zachary.mcwhorter@hsv-k12.org

Website: hcs.org/district/career-technical-education

Location: 2603 North Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, AL, 35810

Phone: (256) 428-7810