Mission Trails

As we wrap up the first quarter of the 2024-25 school year, we're excited to celebrate the achievements of our 6,819 CTE students actively engaged in hands-on classes across the SUHSD's 28 pathways. Our students are gaining practical skills and real-world experience. This newsletter highlights the CTE Students of the Quarter, whose dedication and hard work set a high standard for their peers. It also includes stories that reflect MTROP's "Learn by Doing" mission. Join us in honoring the students and teachers who make our CTE programs exceptional.

Thomas Vera-Bellido is an outstanding student in Mr. Baker's Fire Fighter program, consistently maintaining an impressive "A" average. His dedication is evident in his academic performance and his discipline and determination during physical training. Thomas continually pushes himself to excel, making him a model for everyone in his class. His commitment to the program's academic and physical demands demonstrates his potential to succeed in the Public Services Sector.

Keyri Rodriguez Arana serves as an exemplary role model for students, embodying traits such as resilience, dedication, curiosity, hard work, drive, and gratitude. Despite achieving a high rank in her senior class, Keyri is not motivated by competition; she pursues knowledge for its own sake and eagerly explores new opportunities out of a genuine thirst for learning. Having immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador six years ago, she has since become fluent in English and currently learning Japanese. Keyri's passion for mathematics and computer science is evident through her active participation at the Digital Nest, where she hones her coding skills.

Gerardo Molina has shown excellent effort in Mr. Baker's Intro to Firefighter class. He is not only working hard to earn all his credits at Mount Toro High School, but he is also putting in extra effort to excel in his ROP class. Gerardo is reliable, responsible, and works very hard to achieve his goals. He is expected to accomplish amazing things in all aspects of his life and professional endeavors. Gerardo's positive attitude and strong work ethic set a great example for his peers. With his determination and drive, there is no doubt that Gerardo will continue to thrive and succeed in all his future endeavors.

Fatima is a dedicated and confident student who consistently motivates her peers and excels in Ms. Glomson's Ag Mechanics class. Despite her soft-spoken nature, she demonstrates leadership and courage, especially when using tools like the Jigsaw and Circular Saw for the first time. Her mastery and confidence inspire other students, particularly girls who may be hesitant to participate at times. Fatima is a role model, exemplifying the values of the NSHS creed, and her exceptional manners and leadership make her a valuable presence in the classroom.

Sixto is an outstanding student who consistently demonstrates preparedness and enthusiasm for learning in Ms. Lahodni's Medical Assistant class. His positive attitude and strong work ethic make him a perfect candidate for a future in healthcare, where these qualities are essential. Not only does he bring a great personality to his interactions, but he also excels academically, consistently ranking among the top students. Sixto's dedication and commitment ensure that he will thrive as a healthcare professional, significantly impacting those he serves.

Connor is a fantastic student with a tremendous amount of culinary knowledge, and he has been a true leader to his peers in Ms. Botello's Advanced Culinary Food Science class. Connor is a gentleman to the full extent of the word; he is polite, respectful, diligent, has high morals, and is compassionate and caring. He continually helps in the kitchen, working on future recipes, which allows him to give advice and guidance to his peers. Connor is one in a million, and having him in class is a real honor! He has gone above and beyond by taking two CTE classes this year, excelling in Advanced Culinary Food Science at ROP and Mr. Nichols' Art in the Digital Age class at SHS.

In their Exploratory Paxton-Patterson Lab class, students at Washington Middle School learn by doing, focusing on the healthcare industry, one of Monterey County's priority economic sectors. These hands-on experiences help students explore healthcare jobs and build valuable skills for the future. Ms. Dill's students participate in activities like drawing simulated blood in the Nursing Lab during a phlebotomy lesson, practicing CPR in the Emergency Medical Technician Lab, and connecting fitness levels with metabolic rate in the Lifetime Nutrition & Wellness Lab.

This fall, Ms. Johnson's Health Occupations seniors achieved an exciting milestone! Balancing rigorous academics with hands-on learning, these students completed their OSHA Health Industry Workplace Safety training earning this industry certification in record time. Their dedication and professionalism reflect a solid commitment to meeting healthcare and industry standards. Special recognition goes to The Alisal Group for their outstanding efforts. We are incredibly proud of these students and look forward to their continued success.

We are thrilled to announce the Ag Mech Drones Club launch at NSHS! This exciting new club has acquired several drones to teach students the safe and legal operation of drone technology. With a focus on helping students obtain a Drone Operator's License, the club opens doors to promising career opportunities in our region. Currently boasting 18 members, the club has already welcomed an Aviation Mechanic from the US Army as a mentor. As the Salinas area emerges as a leader in drone technology, we aim to connect with the many possible mentors from across our region, including the Monterey Bay Drone, Automation, and Robotics Technology (DART) collaborative.

The SUHSD maintenance department recently collaborated with the MTROP Welding and Fabrication team to create stencils for numbering PE spaces and parking spots across the school district. Gabriel Romero from AHS and Eduardo Diaz from NSHS took charge of the programming and cutting on the CNC plasma table, producing numbers 1 through 100. Their expertise and hard work met the district's needs and resulted in a better use of our public funds, showcasing the importance of skilled craftsmanship and collaboration.

We are thrilled to congratulate Ms. Lahodni's Medical Assisting students at MTROP on successfully earning their HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) certification! This significant achievement demonstrates their dedication to upholding high standards in patient confidentiality and healthcare practices, which are essential in the medical field. By completing this certification, our students are taking an important step forward in their professional development, equipping themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their future careers. We are immensely proud of their hard work!

Students in the Art in the Digital Age class at MTHS, under the guidance of Mr. Davidson, recently engaged in an exciting project where they analyzed the influential work of renowned artist Barbara Kruger. Through this analysis, students explored Kruger’s distinctive style, which often combines bold text with striking imagery to convey powerful messages. Inspired by her innovative approach, the students created their own original artwork, incorporating similar techniques to express their thoughts and perspectives. This hands-on experience deepened their understanding of contemporary art and encouraged them to develop their unique creative voices.

Ms. Ramos' Sports Medicine class at North Salinas High School designed innovative athletic training facilities as part of a hands-on learning experience. Students then showcased their projects in a gallery walk, where they could view their peers' work, exchange constructive feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions about different design elements. To encourage creativity, students also voted on the most creative project, fostering a sense of friendly competition and collaboration.

The Dental Careers students are earning their first State Certification of the year! To work as a Dental Assistant in California, they must complete a 10-hour, hands-on OSHA course, demonstrating key infection control skills. Students were tested in six areas, including handwashing, PPE use, operatory disinfection, barrier placement, lab material disinfection, and instrument sterilization. They are also earning certification in the Dental Practice Act, covering the legal scope of Dental Assistants' work.

Finalists Yareli Gaspar, Ayleen Campa, Diana Espinoza, and Alonzo Cabrera presented their project S.A.S.S. (Small Artificial Shape Structures) at the 2024 Bio Design Challenge in New York. Their project is a small 3D-printed artificial reef covered in calcium carbonate that could reduce the cost of current artificial reefs and increase coral growth. The team analyzed the growth differences between shape designs to develop an affordable, implementable artificial reef to revitalize coral worldwide.

Students in Ms. Ghastin's Art in the Digital Age and Graphic Design classes at NSHS, teamed up to create the inaugural Amor Salinas Coloring Book! This collaborative project not only showcased our students' creativity and talent but also aimed to strengthen community connections. The coloring book, a delightful creation by our students, was distributed during the community's back-to-school backpack giveaways, providing a fun and engaging resource for families and leaving a lasting impact on the Salinas community.

This past summer, intersession welding students in Mr. Kollerer's class at MTROP put their skills to a great cause by creating and donating over $650 worth of handmade "forever flowers" to the #LiveForRoss fund. This special fund is dedicated to raising safety awareness and providing safety equipment awards to students who complete vocational education programs in Welding or Ag Mechanics in Monterey County. Through their craftsmanship, the welding students demonstrated their technical abilities and contributed to a meaningful cause that promotes safety in vocational education and honors the fund's critical mission.

The NSHS Viking Floral Studio, under the guidance of Ms. Robinson, put their newly acquired design skills to work by preparing custom floral arrangements for community clients. Recently, the talented students in the Floral Design program had the opportunity to showcase their creativity by designing beautiful floral pieces for Hartnell College's Back to School Staff Luncheon. Their work reflects their growing expertise and dedication to enhancing local events with unique and thoughtful arrangements.

The Gilroy Tamal Festival, an annual family event filled with music, vendors, and community fun, was graced this year by the inspiring actions of Salinas High senior Joshue Mendoza Palacios. Joshue, an MTROP/CTE student was seen generously providing free haircuts to attendees. His act of kindness, a reflection of his determination, compassion, and commitment, has left a lasting positive impact on the community, inspiring us all to strive for such selfless acts.

AHS's Career Center hosted its first Industry Partners and Resources Lunch Event on October 1st. Representatives from our local community shared their time and resources with our students during a small lunchtime fair. Their presence significantly impacted our students and provided them with valuable insights into potential career paths and educational and community service opportunities. The information and resources shared were incredibly beneficial, and the students greatly appreciated the chance to engage with the representatives.

We would like to thank the Salinas Police Department, the Monterey County Probation Department, Natividad Hospital, the Army, and Hartnell College for their time, effort, and dedication to our students' success.

Goats:

• Champion FFA Senior & Master Goat Showman - Luis Gonzales
• Grand Champion Breeding Doe - Luis Gonzales
• Reserve Champion Breeding Doe - Luis Gonzales

Sheep:

• Grand Champion Breeding Ewe - Luis Gonzales

Lamb:

• Reserve Champion Market Lamb - Manny Gonzales
• Champion FFA Senior & Master Lamb Showman - Luis Gonzales

Hogs:

• Reserve Champion Market Hog - Jack Lindley
• FFA Reserve Champion Market Hog - Maddy Lindley
• Champion FFA Senior Hog Showman - Maddy Lindley

Steer:

• Reserve Champion Market Steer - Luis Gonzales
• FFA Reserve Champion Market Steer - Cadee Guzmán
• Champion FFA Senior & Master Beef Showman - Luis Gonzales

Dairy:

• Reserve Champion Dairy Female - Riley Whisler
• Champion FFA Senior Dairy Cattle Showman - Riley Whisler

Livestock & Vegetable:

• 3rd Overall Rabbit Meat Pen - Maddie Hostert
• Champion FFA Senior Round Robin - Luis Gonzales
• Second High Team Livestock Judging - Luis Gonzales, Cadee Guzmán, & Riley Whisler
• First High Team Vegetable Judging - Garhett Atkins, Riley Whisler, & Cadee Guzmán

Salinas High School senior and Salinas FFA President Madison Stagner was recently featured in Monterey County Now for her dedication to raising livestock and her leadership in agricultural education. Madison, who began her journey in 4-H at age 9, has raised over 60 pigs, managing their care from feeding to show preparation while emphasizing the importance of building trust with her animals. A mentor to younger students, Madison exemplifies the values of FFA through her commitment to agriculture, time management, and community involvement. With plans to study animal science at Texas A&M University, Madison’s hard work was showcased at the Monterey County Fair, where she highlighted the life skills and passion gained through her experiences.

EAHS had 10 exhibitors at the Monterey County Fair this year with 2 goats, 6 hogs and 3 lambs. All of which did a great job representing the chapter and showed their animals well. The following are our members and their highlights from through out the week!

Goats:

• Reserve Weight Champion, 2nd Novice Showmanship - Eddie Chambers
• 4th in Market - Aleena Chavez

Sheep:

• First Place Clean Barn Award - Maria Sanchez-Alejandre, Genevie Flores Torres & Maria Angelossi

Hogs:

• 7th in Class - Elliot Fernandez
• 3rd in Class - Dante Herrera
• 3rd in Novice Showmanship - Juan Moreno
• 4th Novice Showmanship - Angel Soto
• Heritage Hog Scholarship Recipient ($3,000) - Aleena Chavez
• 3rd in Feeder Division - Anthony Perez

Livestock and Vegetable

• 1st High Team Novice Livestock Judging
• 3rd High Team Novice Vegetable Judging
• 3rd High Team Advanced Vegetable Judging

Dairy

• Grand Champion Breeding Heifer - Haylee McVay
• Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer - Haylee McVay

Goat

• Reserve FFA Market Goat - Haylee McVay

Livestock

• Reserve Champion - Cate Griffith

Andrea was the NSHS FFA Chapter's lone exhibitor at the Monterey County Fair. Her market lamb Thumbelina placed 5th in the Market Class and 3rd in fed and bred. The NSHS Chapter advisors are proud of her hard work and dedication this fair season.

This SkillsUSA Team has initiated the sign-ups for the 120 SkillsUSA contests. If you are interested in competing in your CTE course, please get in touch with your CTE teacher and sign up! Registration closes November 14th. The competition season kicks off on January 11th. SkillsUSA provides a remarkable platform for students to demonstrate the practical application of the skills they've acquired through their Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Whether in fields like automotive technology, culinary arts, graphic design, welding, healthcare, or any other vocational area, each contest is a chance for you to put your training into action and showcase the strength and quality of the CTE programs offered by the SUHSD.

Carlos Guajardo graduated from North Salinas High School 3 years ago, and during his Senior year, Ms. Diaz's Restaurant Careers class. In this class, he discovered his passion for Culinary by preparing meals for his family, getting certifications, and practicing many recipes. The course not only honed his culinary skills but also instilled in him a deep appreciation for the art of cooking. After graduation, he decided to join Rancho Cielo Drummond Culinary School. Now, at just 21 years of age, he is a shining star working for Bernardus Lodge as a Pastry Chef; prior to Bernardus Lodge, he worked as an apprentice at Roy's at Pebble Beach.

Javier Gonzales (pictured second from left), a Graduate of Alisal High School who completed Mr. Incze's Engineering Academy and was the team captain of the regional robotics competition-winning team, recently shared his freshmen college experiences that enabled him to integrate and succeed at UC Berkley successfully.

"Earlier this year, I secured an internship as a Software engineer analyst at Black Rock in the San Francisco offices. I will be working there next summer, so the summer of 2025. My career aspirations are still in hardware and semiconductors, but this is a big opportunity that I can't pass up. I am telling you this to thank you for all of the amazing opportunities you gave me. You opened so many new doors for me and allowed me to accomplish what I have accomplished and much more to come."

Jason Tavarez's journey from a passionate welder in Mr. Kollerer's Welding class at MTROP to a student at the prestigious Western Welding Academy in Wyoming is a source of pride and inspiration for our entire community. His hard work, dedication, and commitment to mastering this craft are truly inspiring. By choosing to advance his skills at one of the nation’s top welding programs, Jason is not only setting himself up for a bright future but also raising the bar for all of us. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and can’t wait to see where this journey takes him.

Adriana has reached an exciting milestone by earning a spot on the Millwright Applicant Referral List, bringing her one step closer to launching her career. With her orientation class just around the corner, she is poised to begin her apprenticeship and dive into hands-on learning in this specialized trade. This achievement reflects her hard work and dedication, and we couldn’t be more excited for the opportunities ahead. Congratulations, Adriana—your journey is just beginning, and we know you’ll do great things!

Thank you for reading this newsletter.

We wish the entire SUHSD community a fantastic Fall Season.

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Address: 867 East Laurel Dr, Salinas, CA 93905

Phone: 831-793-4209

Website: salinasuhsd.org/rop

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• 🪖Veterans Day - November 11th
• 🦃 Thanksgiving Break - November 25th - 29th
• 🎄 Christmas Break - December 16th - January 3rd