UCT
Dear Upper Cape Tech Community,
As we begin November, I have been thinking about the connections between what we learn, the people who help us learn it, and what we eventually choose to do with that knowledge. National Gratitude Month and National Career Development Month bring these ideas together. Both invite us to pause, recognize what has helped us move forward, and consider how we might contribute to others’ lives.
At Upper Cape Tech, students have daily opportunities to discover what they can do. Sometimes that discovery comes through a successful project or a new technical skill. Other times, it happens when a student explains an idea clearly, helps a classmate, or takes responsibility when something does not go as planned. These moments deserve our attention because they help students understand the kind of learner, colleague, and person they are becoming.
Gratitude begins with noticing the people who make those moments possible. A teacher may stay after school to explain a concept another way. A classmate may offer encouragement during a frustrating task. A family member may rearrange a work schedule to make an opportunity possible. Much of that support happens quietly. Taking time to acknowledge it reminds us that our progress depends on the care, effort, and expertise of others.
We can help students make that appreciation specific. “Thank you for helping me” becomes more meaningful when followed by “Your explanation helped me understand where I went wrong” or “You made it easier for me to try.” Naming someone’s contribution communicates that their actions mattered. It also helps students see how they can offer that same support to someone else.
A culture of gratitude must also leave room for honest conversations. Students can appreciate their opportunities and still feel overwhelmed, disappointed, or uncertain. We want them to know they can ask for help, question something they do not understand, and tell us when an experience is not working for them. Mutual respect grows when we listen carefully and respond with the same dignity we ask students to show one another.
That openness matters as students consider their futures. Career development is a process of discovery that unfolds through experience. Some students arrive at UCT with a clear goal. Others find an unexpected interest in exploratory, reconsider a plan after a workplace visit, or realize that a subject they once found difficult has become something they enjoy. Changing direction can reflect a deeper understanding of themselves and their options.
This week’s stories show where that exploration can lead. Henry Knox’s internship at SpaceX connects back to his technical education, leadership experiences, and co-op work. The MassDOT career fair helped students see familiar bridges as places where their skills could someday contribute to a major community project. Experiences like these give students something concrete to consider when they ask, “Where could this learning take me?”
Our role as educators and families is to help students turn that curiosity into manageable next steps. They might speak with an instructor, attend a club meeting, ask an employer about training requirements, or spend more time developing a skill. They do not need a complete plan before they begin. They need encouragement to explore and guidance to understand what each choice requires.
This month, I invite families to ask, “Who has helped you move forward recently, and what did they do that made a difference?” Then consider, “What is something you would like to explore, and what could your next step be?” Give those questions room to develop into a conversation. An uncertain answer can be a useful starting point.
Thank you for the many ways you support our students and our school. As we move through November, let’s help students recognize the people who invest in them, appreciate their own growing abilities, and consider how they can use those abilities to contribute. Those connections give both learning and future planning deeper purpose.
With appreciation,
Dr. Marie Alvernaz
Designing Dream Homes with Geometry
What does it take to turn a floor plan into a dream home? UCT Geometry students recently explored that question through a project combining mathematical reasoning with creative design.
Using a house floor plan, students calculated each room’s area and perimeter and applied their findings to practical questions. The activity connected their study of perimeter, circumference, and area with the measurements used to plan and organize living spaces.
Students then put their own ideas on paper by designing and customizing floor plans for their dream homes. This gave them an opportunity to consider how the spaces they imagined could take shape through careful measurement and planning.
Thank you to our Geometry teachers for helping students see how mathematics can inform everyday decisions and bring creative ideas to life!
Creativity Takes Center Stage in Cosmetology
UCT’s Cosmetology Shop became a space for theatrical transformation on Thursday, October 29, as sophomores and seniors participated in a Theatrical Hair & Makeup Competition.
Working in pairs, students created complete looks combining hair, makeup, costumes, and accessories. Each team also developed a vision board to communicate the inspiration behind its design and guide the finished look.
The challenge combined technical skills with artistic expression. Students considered how each element contributed to their overall concept while collaborating, managing their work, and demonstrating professionalism. From the first idea to the finishing touches, the competition offered an opportunity to put their learning into practice.
Angelina Pistone and Zoey Downing earned top honors in the sophomore division with their creation, “Beauty and Brains.” In the senior division, Kayla Cummings and Bria Pavlisko claimed first place with their Corpse Bride-inspired look. Congratulations to both pairs on their winning designs!
We applaud all participating students for sharing their creativity and talents, and thank their instructors for creating this opportunity to showcase their work. Enjoy the photos below for a closer look at their theatrical creations!
Biology Students Put Cellular Respiration in Motion
Why do we breathe harder after exercising? UCT Biology students explored that question this week through an activity that made an invisible process easier to see.
Students compared carbon dioxide production at rest and after one and two minutes of exercise. Using a color-changing indicator, they observed that after exercise, the indicator turned yellow more quickly.
The activity explored cellular respiration, the process cells use to release usable energy from nutrients such as glucose, a simple sugar. During aerobic cellular respiration, cells use oxygen to help convert that fuel into energy, producing carbon dioxide and water along the way.
When we exercise, our muscles need more energy to keep working. As cellular respiration increases to help meet that demand, more carbon dioxide is produced. Blood carries that carbon dioxide to the lungs, where we exhale it. This helps explain why breathing becomes faster and deeper during physical activity.
The indicator made that connection visible. When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, it forms a weak acid. The indicator responds to the change in acidity by changing color. Its faster shift to yellow after exercise gave students evidence of increased carbon dioxide in their exhaled breath.
By comparing their observations before and after movement, students connected what happens inside individual cells with something they experience every day. A short burst of exercise became an opportunity to see how the body supplies energy for action.
Compassionate Care in Action
UCT’s senior Veterinary Science students recently visited Blazing Saddles Rescue, where they met more than 100 rescued animals, including goats, pigs, horses, cows, and even camels.
The visit gave students a firsthand look at animal rescue and rehabilitation, connecting their classroom and technical learning with caring for animals across a wide range of species. It also offered an opportunity to reflect on the patience, responsibility, and compassion essential to working with animals.
For students preparing for careers in veterinary science and animal care, experiences like this help clarify the purpose of their learning. Behind every animal is a story, and attentive care can make a meaningful difference in what comes next.
Thank you to Blazing Saddles Rescue for welcoming our students and sharing the important work of caring for rescued animals and giving them a second chance.
Annual BBQ School Competition at Upper Cape Tech
Join UCT Culinary Arts on Tuesday, November 10, from 4–6 p.m. for an evening of barbecue, student talent, and community support. Awards will follow the competition.
Student teams will showcase their preparation, creativity, and cooking techniques in three categories—Chili, Whole Chicken, and Mystery Sweet. Participating schools include Upper Cape Tech, Blue Hills Regional Technical School, Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School, and Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School. Professional competitors from the New England BBQ Society will also take part.
Guests can sample tasting portions, support the competing teams, and see culinary learning in action.
Admission is $10 at the door. All proceeds benefit the UCT Culinary Arts Student Fund.
The event is open to the public. Bring your appetite and help celebrate the skills of our region’s aspiring culinary professionals!
Rams Rise to the Top in Co-Ed Cheer
Upper Cape Tech’s cheerleading team is a co-ed vocational champion! The Rams earned the title on October 25 at the Massachusetts Vocational Athletic Directors Association cheerleading championship, giving our school community another reason to celebrate.
Competitive cheer demands strength, precision, timing, and trust. Each athlete has a role to fulfill, and a successful routine depends on teammates working together. This championship is a proud moment for a team whose school spirit matches its athletic commitment.
Throughout the season, our cheerleaders help bring energy and encouragement to UCT athletics. Now, it is our turn to cheer for them and recognize their achievement on the competition floor.
Congratulations to our student-athletes and coaches, and thank you to the families and supporters who encourage them along the way. We are proud of the dedication and teamwork this group brings to Upper Cape Tech.
Way to go, Rams—co-ed vocational champions!
Sam Fischer Runs His Way into UCT History
Sam Fischer earned Mayflower League All-Star honors with an outstanding performance at the Mayflower League Cross Country Championship, finishing fifth in the large division with a time of 17:57. The distinction recognizes the division’s top seven finishers.
Sam’s achievement also marks a first for Upper Cape Tech. He is the first UCT student to earn Mayflower League All-Star recognition in both the small and large divisions. After earning the honor in the small division last year, Sam earned it again this season after UCT moved to the large division.
This accomplishment reflects the hard work, consistency, and determination Sam brings to his sport. Earning recognition across two divisions is a milestone worth celebrating and a proud moment for UCT Cross Country.
Congratulations, Sam, on your All-Star performance and your place in UCT history!
Lighthouse Beacon Academic Award
Raphael Ethan De Oliveira Araujo | Grade 11 | Academics
Congratulations to Raphael Ethan De Oliveira Araujo, this week’s Beacon Academic Award recipient! Raphael stands out for his sharp thinking, articulate communication, and maturity in expressing ideas beyond his years.
He is equally deserving of recognition for the consideration he shows others. Kind, polite, and respectful, Raphael brings courtesy and an awareness of those around him to his interactions. His maturity is evident in both how he communicates his ideas and how he treats people.
As a member of UCT’s Debate Club, Raphael applies his strengths to an activity that challenges students to think carefully and respond in the moment. His ability to think on his feet and communicate clearly makes debate a natural outlet for his talents. Paired with his respectful approach, these skills support thoughtful exchanges where different perspectives can be heard.
Raphael is also a competitive swimmer, pursuing a sport that demands practice, concentration, and perseverance. His interests in swimming, debate, and Engineering Technology give him opportunities to challenge himself in different ways, both individually and alongside others.
This week, we celebrate Raphael’s intellectual strengths, kindness, and the maturity he brings to our school community. We look forward to seeing how he continues to develop his talents and explore the opportunities ahead.
Congratulations, Raphael, on being a beacon for your fellow Rams!
Vocational Beacon Alumni Edition
Henry Knox | Engineering Technology Graduate 2023
Upper Cape Tech graduate Henry Knox has used hands-on problem-solving to reach an extraordinary workplace. This semester, Henry is interning at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas, contributing to the company’s Starship rocket program.
Henry’s commitment to technical learning and leadership was evident during his time at UCT. An Engineering Technology student and National Honor Society officer, he was named UCT’s Outstanding Vocational Student and, in 2023, recognized as a U.S. Presidential Scholar nominee. His co-op experience in the Seismograph Laboratory at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution included helping construct and maintain scientific instruments. Henry is now studying aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech, building on the technical foundation he developed at UCT. Read about Henry’s recognition.
Today, Henry works with SpaceX’s Ship Final Integration team, which prepares Starship’s upper stage for testing. The team installs engines and completes final repairs and modifications before the vehicle moves on to engine testing ahead of launch.
Working alongside engineers and technicians, Henry helps plan how installations and repairs will be completed. His role requires understanding interconnected systems, paying close attention to detail, and communicating clearly between the engineers developing changes and the technicians carrying them out.
His experience highlights the importance of combining technical knowledge with teamwork and adaptability. Henry’s team continually works to improve its tools and processes while preparing each vehicle for its next milestone.
“It is an incredible place to work, and I am enjoying every moment being here,” Henry shared.
Even while working in Texas, Henry is thinking about his UCT community. He has offered to share more about his internship with students and hopes to display a UCT flag in a photograph with Starship. He also encouraged the school to explore potential connections for graduates interested in welding and other skilled technical careers.
Congratulations, Henry! We are proud to recognize you as this week’s Vocational Beacon and celebrate the possibilities your journey demonstrates for our students.
UCT FFA Members Earn National Recognition
Four members of the Upper Cape Tech FFA Chapter brought their skills and school pride to the national stage, earning Bronze medals at the National FFA Convention and competition in Indianapolis!
Sophia Lopes and Jocelyn Geis, Class of 2027, competed with their Agriscience Fair project in the Social Systems category. Graduates Jessica Girouard and Keira Couto, Class of 2026, competed in Prepared Public Speaking and Employment Skills, respectively. Qualifying for national competition and earning recognition alongside talented FFA members from across the country is an accomplishment worth celebrating.
Beyond the competitions, the students met fellow FFA members, formed new connections, and experienced the energy of a national convention. They represented UCT and our Veterinary Science program with enthusiasm and pride.
FFA is a student-led organization that develops leadership, personal growth, and career readiness through agricultural education. Opportunities like this help students apply what they've learned, build confidence, and explore future pathways in agriculture and veterinary medicine.
Congratulations to Sophia, Jocelyn, Jessica, and Keira on their national achievements!
Building Bridges to Future Careers
Upper Cape Tech students know the Cape Cod bridges as familiar landmarks. On Monday, October 26, a career fair featuring the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and workforce partners encouraged students to see these familiar landmarks as connections to future careers.
Phillip Eng, Interim Transportation Secretary and CEO, spoke with students during the event, which highlighted opportunities related to the upcoming bridge replacement project and careers in transportation, public service, and the skilled trades.
Students from Automotive, Carpentry, Electrical, Engineering, Environmental Technology, Horticulture, HVAC, Marine Technology, and Plumbing explored how their interests and technical training could connect with these fields.
The Cape Cod Bridges Program includes replacing the Bourne and Sagamore bridges, improving connecting roads, and providing better access for pedestrians and cyclists. These projects require people with many specialties to work together from planning and design through construction. Learn more about the Cape Cod Bridges Program.
Participating agencies, unions, and training programs helped illustrate the range of possibilities available.
MassDOT’s Highway Division designs, builds, maintains, and operates the state’s highways, bridges, and tunnels. Career information highlighted highway maintenance and vehicle and heavy-equipment repair, including the experience and licenses these positions require.
MassDOT’s Research and Materials Lab tests concrete, asphalt, soils, and other construction materials to help ensure roads and bridges are safe and durable. Its work connects science and problem-solving with construction quality and public safety.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) protects and maintains public lands, parks, recreational facilities, and the infrastructure that helps people access them, connecting environmental stewardship with practical technical work.
Massachusetts Registered Apprenticeship offers pathways that combine paid work, structured training, and classroom instruction.
Local 51 represented plumbing and HVAC opportunities, while the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC) brought connections to carpentry and related trades, including apprenticeship opportunities.
MBTA Public Engagement connects communities with transportation planning and decisions, highlighting the importance of communication and public participation.
The Career Technical Initiative (CTI) supports evening and weekend training for unemployed and underemployed adults at vocational schools, helping meet workforce needs in construction, skilled trades, and manufacturing.
Together, these participants showed students how many different careers contribute to the places we travel, work, and enjoy. Understanding the training, credentials, and experience required for those careers can help students make informed decisions about their next steps.
Thank you to Secretary Eng and all participating organizations for sharing their expertise and helping our students envision a role in building Cape Cod’s future.
Click the photo below to watch a flythrough video rendering of the replacement Sagamore Bridge and the recommended interchange on the Cape Cod side.
Connecting Education and Healthcare Workforce Needs
Upper Cape Tech welcomed healthcare leaders, educators, workforce development partners, and legislators on Thursday, October 29, for the MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board Healthcare Roundtable.
Participants included State Representatives Steve Xiarhos, David Vieira, and Kip Diggs, along with members of State Senator Dylan Fernandes’ staff. The gathering brought together perspectives from healthcare, education, and government to discuss how the region can prepare for Cape Cod and the Islands' growing healthcare needs.
Conversations focused on workforce training, education, and affordable housing. Preparing a healthcare workforce involves helping people develop the necessary skills while addressing challenges that can affect their ability to live and work in the communities they serve.
For UCT, hosting this discussion reinforced the connection between technical education and community needs. As our Health Careers students prepare for their next steps, collaboration among schools, employers, and workforce partners helps connect learning with opportunities to contribute to the region’s healthcare system.
Thank you to Kara O’Donnell-Galvin, Executive Director of the MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board, and her team for organizing the roundtable. We appreciate everyone who contributed their time and expertise to this important conversation about our region’s future.
Exploring the Many Paths to a Successful Career
As UCT students consider life after graduation, it helps to know how many options are available. Certificate programs, specialized training, and associate degrees can open doors to rewarding careers while allowing students to build on their technical interests and skills.
A resource from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, known as MEFA, highlights several pathways that families may want to explore.
Opticianry combines healthcare, technical skills, and customer service. Franklin Cummings Tech offers a two-year associate degree that prepares students for licensure and includes opportunities for paid workplace experience.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) programs prepare students to work with heating and cooling systems. Additional training in building automation connects these skills with computer networks and systems that manage energy use.
Aviation maintenance offers opportunities for students interested in mechanical systems and troubleshooting. Cape Cod Community College’s program at Plymouth Airport prepares students to take Federal Aviation Administration certification exams, with an option to complete an associate degree.
For UCT students, these examples offer a starting point for exploring how their interests might develop into a career. Families can compare program costs, training requirements, credentials, and advancement opportunities, while encouraging students to speak with their school counselor and technical instructors.
A useful question to begin the conversation is “What kind of work interests you, and what preparation would help you get there?”
Explore MEFA’s guide to career pathways without a four-year degree.
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