Around the River Bend

March 4th-Sugaring Season Began in Diversified Ag.

March 9th-Educators Rising Conference-Teacher Education

March 16th-Bailee Wheeler-Hair Extension Demo in Cosmetology

March 18th-National Technical Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Fineas Sayers, a student from Thetford Academy, is thriving in River Bend’s Emergency Medical Services program. Drawn to the center for its hands-on learning approach, he appreciates the opportunity to build real-world skills that go beyond what’s offered in a traditional classroom. “I chose River Bend not only for the education, but for the hands-on learning and great experiences you don’t get in a traditional setting,” he explained.

Among the training experiences he’s found most meaningful is vehicle extrication, part of the fire curriculum. Fineas credits his instructor, Mr. Leeman, for keeping students engaged by connecting lessons to real-life situations and sharing his professional experiences.

Through his time at River Bend, Fineas has gained confidence and a clearer sense of direction for his future. He hopes to pursue a career as either a first responder or a game warden—a path that combines his technical training with his passion for the outdoors. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and riding his dirt bike whenever he can.

Inspired by motivational speaker Kaleb Joseph, Fineas values the importance of staying mentally strong and creating authentic connections with others. When asked what he’d tell students considering River Bend, his advice is straightforward: “If you’re on the fence about it—do it. You won’t regret it.”

At River Bend, students in the Health Science & Technology Program aren’t just learning about healthcare — they’re living it. From classroom labs to clinical experiences at Cottage Hospital and Margaret Pratt Community Living, these future healthcare professionals are building confidence, compassion, and career readiness every day.

For senior students, the Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) pathway is both challenging and rewarding. After completing their clinical training at Cottage Hospital, many are now preparing to take their state licensure exams — the final step toward entering the healthcare workforce. The experience has strengthened their understanding of patient care and inspired many to continue pursuing nursing and other medical careers.

Level I students are also earning early college credits through River Valley Community College in courses like Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare and Medical Terminology. Alongside their studies, they participate in weekly visits to Margaret Pratt, where they engage residents in activities that bring joy and connection. These experiences help students apply their coursework to real-world settings and develop a deeper sense of empathy and communication — skills essential in any healthcare career.

Health Science instructor Carrie Thygesen has built strong partnerships across the community to give students authentic work-based learning opportunities. Through these connections, students explore a range of healthcare pathways, including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory care, and more.

No matter where their journeys lead, Health Science students are united by a common goal: to care for others and make a meaningful difference in their communities.

It’s always exciting when River Bend alumni return as educators — and that’s exactly what happened with Carrie Thygesen, a 2011 graduate of the Health Science program. After her time at River Bend, Carrie attended Castleton University before transferring to River Valley Community College, where she earned her associate degree in Respiratory Therapy.

Carrie went on to work at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, caring for ICU, trauma, and cystic fibrosis patients. In 2019, she spotted a job posting for the same Health Science program that started her journey and jumped at the opportunity to inspire future healthcare professionals.

Teaching runs deep in Carrie’s family — her great-grandmother was an elementary teacher, her grandmother a reading specialist, and her mother an instructional assistant. Today, Carrie continues that family tradition of education and service, giving students the skills and confidence to pursue careers in health science.

Oxbow High School senior Keyes DeGoosh has turned his interest in cars and transportation into real‑world experience through a work‑based learning placement with the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). This year, he has been working with crews at the District 6 Transportation garage, learning about road maintenance, equipment, and the daily work that keeps Vermont’s highways open.

Keyes came to this opportunity from the Automotive Technology program at River Bend Career and Technical Center, where students learn to diagnose and repair engines, brakes, steering, electrical systems, and suspensions in a fully equipped auto shop. That program has given him a strong technical foundation for both transportation and automotive careers.

Through his VTrans experience, Keyes has learned about the Agency of Transportation’s paid Intern Maintenance Worker program, which gets high school students into the field with highway crews and can lead to future transportation careers, including roles that support earning a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Keyes’ long‑term goal is to earn his CDL, and he is already working on the steps now by learning about Vermont’s CDL requirements, permit process, and training options while he’s still in high school.

After graduation, Keyes plans to attend Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle, Maine, to major in Automotive Collision Repair and focus on autobody restoration. His automotive training, VTrans internship, and postsecondary program at NMCC will position him to blend transportation work, CDL‑related opportunities, and high‑quality autobody restoration in a career that matches his interests and strengths.

Congratulations to our Culinary Arts Management team for their outstanding performance at the ProStart Vermont Management Competition on February 28, 2026, where they presented a comprehensive restaurant concept to a panel of industry judges. At this statewide event, students were evaluated on their ability to develop and communicate a viable restaurant plan, demonstrating skills in marketing, staffing, operations, and financial planning that reflect the real-world focus of the ProStart program.

Their strong showing earned them the opportunity to advance to the National ProStart Invitational, the premier secondary school competition for restaurant management and culinary arts, which will be held April 24–26, 2026, at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront in Baltimore, Maryland. There, they will represent Vermont and our center on a national stage, competing against top teams from across the country and showcasing the high level of professionalism, creativity, and career readiness fostered in our CTE programs.

Heartsaver CPR Instructor: Tom Leeman, B.S., NRP, I/C

Dates: March 26, 2026; April 30, 2026; May 28, 2026

Time: 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Cost: $75 per person

The American Heart Association's (AHA) Heartsaver CPR course is a video-based, instructor-led course that teaches participants how to perform high-quality CPR, use an AED, and recognize and respond to choking in adults, children, and infants. The course also covers the Chain of Survival and how to provide effective breaths. It is designed for individuals with limited or no medical training who need to learn these lifesaving skills for work, home, or community situations. You need only attend one class to earn the credential.

Beginner Welding/Open Welding for Women Instructor: Ian Blackmer

Introduction to welding and fabrication class for women only: Learn the basics of measuring, marking, cutting and preparing steel for welding, then MIG wire feed weld the pieces together. For returning students, we will have Open Welding time for personal projects.

Dates: Saturday, March 14 and March 21, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Cost: $250

Location: River Bend Career and Technical Center: 36 Oxbow Drive; Bradford, VT

Beginner Welding/Open Welding-Open for All Instructor: Ian Blackmer

Introduction to welding and fabrication class: Learn the basics of measuring, marking, cutting and preparing steel for welding, then MIG wire feed weld the pieces together. For returning students, we will have Open Welding time for personal projects.

Dates: Saturday, April 4, 2026 and April 11, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Cost: $250

Location: River Bend Career and Technical Center: 36 Oxbow Drive; Bradford, VT

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Reach out to Lorraine Kennedy to make an appointment.

Lorraine.Kennedy@oesu.org

802-222-5212 (ext.136)

The River Bend Career & Technical Center provides educational opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital/civil union status, or any other characteristic prohibited by Federal or State law.