CTC Career Talk

I’m excited to share that we’ve had an outstanding start to the school year. From the engagement in the classrooms to the energy in our hallways, it’s clear that our students, staff and families came into this year ready to learn, connect and grow.

As we move into October, please keep important dates in mind. CTC’s annual Open House will occur on October 23 from 6 – 8PM. This special event is a chance for students and families to see our students, staff and programs in action and explore the wide range of career and technical education programs we offer at CTC.

Starting in November through February, CTC will once again offer student shadow opportunities for FCPS high school students currently in grades 9 – 11 to visit our school who are interested in applying to attend CTC in SY27. Shadowing is mandatory for applying to any program offered at CTC. Students may shadow and apply for up to two different CTC programs. Students are encouraged to select programs to shadow by talking with their high school counselor or by checking out the programs page on our CTC web site. Students may shadow and apply at any time during that period.

Also, a friendly reminder to encourage students to stay on top of their assignments and communicate with teachers whenever they need support. As we continue to strive toward career success for all, our hope is to always keep you informed of what we value at the FCPS Career and Technology Center.

Thank you for entrusting your child’s learning to us.

Sincerely,

Michael Concepcion - Principal

• Check out 23 intensive career-specific programs including our new Aerospace Engineering program
• Earn up to 18 college credits
• Secure industry certifications/licensure while still in high school
• Incorporate intership, work-study, or apprenticeship with CTC program of study
• Dual Enrollment opportunities for certain programs
• All industry exam fees covered by FCPS via the Maryland Blueprint Initiative

Families have three easy ways to use TalkingPoints and to communicate with their children’s teachers for free! They can use text messaging, download the separate app - TalkingPoints for Families - or they can use it on the web at TalkingPoints for Families

• Remember to use your SUN Bucks before they expire! Benefits expire 122 days from the day they are added to the card. For example, benefits loaded on June 6th will expire around October 6th.
• If you no longer have last year’s SUN Bucks card, you need to request a replacement by calling the SUN Bucks Hotline at 1-800-332-6347. Your 2025 benefits were added to the same card account.
• If you have Medicaid or were approved for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) but haven’t received a White SUN Bucks card, please take the following steps:
1. Call the SUN Bucks Hotline at 1-800-332-6347.
2. Select “SUN Bucks” to check your mailing address. You can update it during the call if it’s incorrect.
3. Ask for a replacement SUN Bucks card.
• If you opted out of the SUN Bucks program, no action is needed. Your benefits will expire after 122 days.
• Please update your contact information with your school. This helps our team send the right benefits to the right homes.
• Visit the Maryland SUN Bucks website (http://dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks/) to learn more.

A special thank you to our Criminal Justice and Homeland Security students, their teachers, Mr. Duman and Mr. Zucco, and SkillsUSA officer, Keegan Remphrey, for conducting a beautiful ceremony in remembrance of September 11th.

By Laila Fuller

I was extremely excited to be selected for the CTC Dental Assisting Program. It’s given me the opportunity to get a jump start on my career and confirm that I’m on the right path. I chose Dental Assisting because I’m passionate about helping others feel confident in their smiles. My ultimate goal is to become an orthodontist — someone who helps people smile without hesitation.

Since starting the program, I’ve learned so much — from taking X-rays on patients to understanding all the anatomy involved in dentistry. Getting real-world, hands-on experience has helped me prepare for the future and grow both academically and personally.

Balancing school, work, and other activities hasn’t always been easy, but I make it a priority to stay focused on my education and goals. Outside of CTC, I work part-time at Ledo’s Pizza a few days a week. I also recently competed in the Miss Maryland Teen USA pageant — something totally new for me.

To be honest, before the pageant, I really doubted myself. I never imagined I would place, let alone make it into the Top 5. It was my first time ever competing in something like that, and I wasn’t sure if I belonged. But I pushed past the fear and gave it my all — and I ended up placing as Fourth Runner-Up. I’m incredibly grateful for that experience, and even more proud of myself for simply having the courage to try.

One of the most meaningful parts of the pageant was the environment of encouragement. I learned how powerful it is to uplift others and make sure everyone feels confident before stepping on stage. During the event, I also had the opportunity to share something deeply personal — my book, Life With His Addiction. It’s about my father’s struggle with addiction and how it has shaped my life for as long as I can remember.

Writing and publishing that book was one of the hardest but most rewarding things I’ve done. My goal was to connect with others who might be going through the same thing and to let them know they are not alone. I’m really proud of myself for opening up, and I hope it encourages others to speak out about their own experiences. You can find Life With His Addiction on Amazon.

After high school, I plan to continue pursuing my dream of becoming an orthodontist. I hope to attend either the University of Maryland or the University of Virginia to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Biology.

If I could give any advice to other students, it would be this: don’t let self-doubt stop you. You never know what you’re capable of until you take that first step. Whether it’s applying for a program, trying something completely new, or sharing your story — just go for it. And for those at CTC, my biggest piece of advice is to find what truly motivates you. That’s what will carry you through.

On Thursday, August 28, students from Mrs. Hayden’s and Mrs. White’s Medical Assisting AoHP classes and Mrs. Mahers CNA classes attended a lecture/demonstration about using dry needling as a treatment therapy. Sarah Hayden, MS, LAT, ATC works with Green Beret soldiers on Fort Bragg began by explaining her career path beginning with being a Frederick County Public School graduate, attending college receiving her bachelors degree followed by her master’s degree. She described the various certifications she has obtained including Performance Enhancement Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach. She has her certifications in upper and lower extremity dry needling. Ms. Hayden explained her various experiences as an athletic trainer after graduation that included working as a graduate student at Life University and getting her master’s degree for free.

Ms. Hayden explained the science behind dry needling and how the therapy can be used as well as compared the similarities and differences dry needling and acupuncture. She had students practice dry needling a banana. Ms Hayden then dry needled Mrs. Hayden’s (her mother) calf demonstrating how the needles are inserted and explained electrical stimulation that can be used in conjunction with dry needling. Ms. Hayden described the different treatment modalities that can be used with dry needling. At the end of the presentation, Ms. Hayden dry needled herself and allowed students to pull the needle out slightly and reinsert it to feel what tissue feels like when a needle is being inserted.

In no particular order: Keegan Remphrey, Mychel Boateng-Bediako, Michaela Douglass, Bella DeCoster, Tristan Vail, Brayden Wilhelm, Dyfne Gautreaux, Madison Baker, Alicia Alvarez, Tanner Shorb, Angelina Crowder, Kaelyn Bass, Eryn Kelly, Bella Long, Michelle Osae Addo, Arwen Flint

CTC students participated in the annual SkillsUSA Fall Kickoff at the FCC Auditorium on Thursday, 9/4. SkillsUSA is based on a framework that encompasses personal, technical, and workplace skills. It supports our CTC school culture in developing accountable, professional, positive, and supportive members of society. Every student at CTC is a SkillsUSA member.

As part of the kickoff, our programs participated in the annual Minute-To-Win-It Cup Stacking Challenge where students competed to see which CTC program reigns supreme and wins the coveted trophy for the year. This year’s winners are:

AM

Mrs. West - Cosmetology II Students: Alana Ali and Macie Harrison

Teachers: Mr. Hicks (Auto Tech) and Dr. Howard (Physical Rehab)

PM

Mr. Arnold - PLTW Aerospace Engineeering Students: Ian Barr and Mason Ambush

Teachers: Mr. Duman and Mr. Zucco (Criminal Justice/Homeland Security)

Students, we hope you had a great time at the SkillsUSA Kickoff! Be on the lookout for more opportunities to engage in fun and exciting SkillsUSA activities and events throughout the year!

Congratulations to CTC teachers, Mr. Frank (TV/Multimedia Production) and Mr. Hoffman (Digital Design/Printing Methods) for recently winning the FCPS Spring Golf League title. The tournament was held at Glade Valley Golf Course in Walkersville, MD. Both plan on defending their title in the upcoming FCPS Fall Golf League Tournament. Good Luck!

Tis the season for college applications which means requesting a letter of recommendation...Check out the tips below help the letter request process go smoothly!

• The most effective letter will come from someone who knows you well and can speak to your character on a personal level.
• Choose someone who knows who you are now – and not someone who knew you years ago.

• Use the Student Recommendation Information Sheet, the Recommendation Brag Sheet or create your own.
• Highlight your accomplishments and personal strengths that the recommender may not know.
• Include any additional information that may be unique to you.

• Before you send an official request, speak with each individual in person.
• Explain what it is you are applying for and why you are asking this person to recommend you.

• After you have confirmed your request in person, send a formal written request (can be an email or schoology message).
• Be sure to include –

- Information on what you are applying for

- Details about how and when the letter should be submitted

- An up-to-date resume or brag sheet

- Any special instructions that would be helpful to the recommender

• IMPORTANT – Be sure to give at least 2 weeks between when you ask for the recommendation and when it is due. Ask early to give plenty of time.
• Note – do not request a letter or recommendation until you have confirmed with the person that they will write the letter.

• A polite reminder is okay and often helpful. This is also a good opportunity to thank them for writing the letter.

• Once the letter has been submitted it is common courtesy to send a short thank you note to each person who wrote a recommendation.
• An email is okay, but a handwritten note is better. 😊
• Be sure to also follow up with your recommenders with good news once you are accepted.

Additional resources regarding letters of recommendation and resumes can be found on Xello under College Planning-Knowledge Hub-Transcripts & Recommendation Letters.

First-year Automotive Technology students had the opportunity to attend the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Youth Education Services (Y.E.S.) Program at Maple Grove Speedway. The program combined the excitement of professional drag racing with interactive presentations designed to connect students to future careers in the automotive and technical fields.

Students learned from industry professionals about career pathways in motorsports, engineering, and automotive technology while experiencing the thrill of the racetrack. The event highlighted how classroom skills translate into real-world opportunities, sparking enthusiasm for the many possibilities in the automotive industry and even got to meet some famous drivers!

The Frederick County Career and Technology Center (CTC) is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) school. Our programs and classes combine academic knowledge with technical skills to prepare students for in-demand and high-skilled jobs. CTC provides students with opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications and licenses, acquire college credit, and gain valuable work experience. CTC is one of many treasures in Frederick County. It is not only a place of great education and opportunities but also a place of camaraderie and nostalgia.

Want to know more about CTC? Click the links below:

CTC Programs

FAQ's about CTC

What is shadowing?

How do I apply to CTC?

Dual Enrollment Information Sheet

Address: 7922 Opossumtown Pike Frederick, MD 21702

Phone: 227-203-3650

Fax: 227-203-3651

Website: https://ctc.sites.fcps.org/

Facebook: Frederick County Career & Tech Center

X (formerly Twitter): @FrederickCTC, @CTCPrincipal

Instagram: @fcps_ctc, @ctc_principal