UCT
Dear Upper Cape Tech Community,
By mid-October, students are beginning to understand what this school year will ask of them. New experiences are becoming familiar, responsibilities are growing, and the choices students make each day are shaping their experience at UCT. This is a meaningful time to consider a question that reaches across every grade and technical program: What kind of person am I becoming through the work I do and the way I treat others?
Our mission connects academic and technical learning with personal responsibility, community, and lifelong growth. Our vision asks us to prepare graduates who will be role models in their workplaces, further education, and communities. Students begin practicing those responsibilities long before graduation.
They practice them when they arrive prepared, follow through on a commitment, listen to a different perspective, or take responsibility for a mistake. They practice them when they help a classmate understand a difficult task or welcome someone who is still finding their place. These everyday decisions bring UCT’s values of professionalism, respect, integrity, dedication, and excellence to life.
Learning to take responsibility also includes knowing when to ask for support. A student who says, “I don’t understand yet,” or “I need help making a plan,” is taking an important step toward independence. As adults, we can support that growth by listening, asking thoughtful questions, and helping students identify a next step they can take on their own.
These lessons extend beyond school. How students communicate in a group chat, respond to disappointment, or handle a disagreement matters. We want them to recognize that their words and actions influence the people around them, and that they can make that influence positive.
This week, consider asking your student: “What is something you did recently that you feel proud of, and why?” Their answer may reveal a new skill, a difficult decision, or a quiet act of kindness that otherwise might go unnoticed.
Thank you for helping us recognize and encourage these moments. Together, we are supporting young people as they develop their abilities, discover their direction, and learn what it means to be someone others can count on.
With appreciation,
Dr. Marie Alvernaz
SkillsUSA: Building Skills, Confidence, and Leadership
You may have seen SkillsUSA’s red jackets at school events or read about our students’ accomplishments in the Current. But what is SkillsUSA, and how does it support students?
SkillsUSA is a national student organization that helps students prepare for careers and grow as leaders and community members. As a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO), it connects directly with classroom and technical learning, helping students develop the confidence, responsibility, and professionalism they will need beyond high school. Learn about SkillsUSA.
UCT students Derek LeClerc, Hannah Crocker, and Mercury Rogers recently created a faculty presentation highlighting SkillsUSA opportunities. Their message emphasized that students can compete, lead, advocate, and contribute to something larger than themselves.
Through leadership activities, community service, and competitions, students practice communicating, solving problems, working with others, and applying their technical knowledge. Competitions allow students to demonstrate their abilities in career fields and leadership events, with qualifying competitors advancing to the national championships. UCT has earned national medals in Occupational Health and Safety, Internetworking, Health Knowledge Bowl, Plumbing, and Automotive Refinishing Technology. Explore SkillsUSA competitions.
At Upper Cape Tech, we see this leadership in action. Our SkillsUSA students sponsored the recent Freshman Involvement Fair, helping new students discover ways to connect with school life. Derek LeClerc is also representing UCT as the 2026–2027 SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Parliamentarian.
This year, our student leaders have set goals to send 75 or more students to the state competition, earn state and national medals, and work toward 500 or more community service hours through chapter service efforts.
How can your student get involved? Start with a conversation: What skills would you like to strengthen, and where might you like to take the lead? Encourage your student to speak with their technical instructor or a SkillsUSA advisor about competitions, service projects, and leadership opportunities that match their interests.
Thank you to Derek, Hannah, and Mercury for sharing their enthusiasm and helping our school community see the possibilities within Team UCT!
A Revolutionary Review in World History
Mr. Spevack’s Grade 10 World History students recently tested their American Revolution knowledge with a round of review games, including Jeopardy and Blooket, ahead of their upcoming assessment.
Dressed in a red coat and tricorn hat, Mr. Spevack added a theatrical touch as students revisited key events and ideas from the unit. The games offered an interactive way to practice recalling information, check their understanding, and identify topics that needed another look before the test.
Thank you, Mr. Spevack, for bringing creativity and enthusiasm to the classroom and making review a memorable part of learning!
Lighthouse Beacon Academic Award
Elizabella Bryden | Grade 10 | Honors Earth Science
Nominated by Mr. Tim O’Neill
Congratulations to Elizabella Bryden, this week’s Beacon Academic Award recipient! Elizabella consistently produces exceptional work, demonstrating a strong understanding of the material and taking pride in every assignment.
Her contributions extend beyond her individual achievements. In her lab group, Elizabella is a quiet leader whom classmates turn to for clarification. She works well with others and helps her group move forward with confidence.
Mr. O’Neill highlights the focus and full effort Elizabella brings to class every day. Her responsibility, steady work habits, and willingness to support her peers make her a positive example of leadership through everyday actions.
Elizabella’s dedication extends beyond the classroom. Her Health Careers teacher, Mr. Bennett, shared that she was the first student to arrive early to help set up for the eighth-grade Open House and the last to leave. Her willingness to lend a hand and follow through reflects the care and responsibility she brings to our school community.
Thank you, Elizabella, for your dedication to learning and for helping those around you succeed. We are proud to celebrate your accomplishments!
Congratulations, Elizabella, on being a beacon for your fellow Rams!
Lighthouse Beacon Vocational Award
Baeley Ford | Grade 11 | Automotive Collision Repair
Nominated by Mr. Gabe Coutinho
Congratulations to Baeley Ford, this week’s Beacon Vocational Award recipient! Baeley combines growing technical skills with creativity, initiative, and a calm confidence that makes her a welcoming leader in the Automotive Collision Repair program.
During Freshman Exploratory, Baeley’s patience and kindness helped students feel comfortable trying unfamiliar and challenging activities. By offering encouragement and guidance, she helped freshmen approach new experiences with greater confidence.
Her artistic talents also benefit her classmates. Baeley readily shares ideas and supports peers with the visual elements of their refinishing projects. Her own work includes a motorcycle helmet inspired by her brother, which she completed as her first refinishing project during sophomore year.
Mr. Coutinho praises Baeley’s steady leadership, sense of responsibility, and pride in her work. She approaches challenges with a willingness to find solutions and consistently treats others with care.
Thank you, Baeley, for sharing your creativity, welcoming our newest students, and showing how skill and kindness can make a lasting difference at UCT!
Congratulations, Baeley, on being a beacon for your fellow Rams!
Rams Volleyball Is State Tournament Bound!
Upper Cape Tech’s Girls Varsity Volleyball team is headed to the State Tournament! The Rams secured their postseason spot with a 3–0 victory over Southeastern on October 7, improving their record to 9–3.
This season’s turnaround under Coach Morgan Correia gives our school community plenty to celebrate. Together, Coach Correia and our student-athletes are building a season that reflects their commitment to the program and pride in representing UCT.
Reaching the State Tournament is a milestone for the entire team and an opportunity to recognize the work of the players and coaching staff. We are proud of what they have accomplished and excited to support them through the rest of the season.
Congratulations to Coach Correia and our Lady Rams! Your UCT community is cheering you on!
On the Air: UCT Student Leaders Share Their SkillsUSA Story
Upper Cape Tech students Derek LeClerc and Mercury Rogers recently joined MVYRADIO to discuss how SkillsUSA helps students build confidence, prepare for careers, and make a difference in their communities.
Derek, a Plumbing student and SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Parliamentarian, described the opportunity to represent technical students across Massachusetts. He emphasized that the communication, professionalism, and leadership skills students develop through SkillsUSA will serve them throughout their lives, whatever career they pursue.
Mercury, an Environmental student and president of UCT’s SkillsUSA chapter, shared a personal example of that growth. Initially joining to become more comfortable with public speaking, Mercury found encouragement through competitions and connections with fellow members. That first step eventually led to leading our school’s chapter!
The students also highlighted UCT’s gold recognition at the state level through the Chapter Excellence Program last year and their goal of earning national recognition.
Their leadership continues with UCT’s second annual Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 18, from 3–5 p.m. Families are invited to enjoy trick-or-treating at Upper Cape Tech, 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne. Proceeds will be split evenly between UCT’s SkillsUSA chapter and the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition. Interested in hosting a trunk? A $20 donation reserves your participation; find the signup form through the UCT website under Technical Programs → SkillsUSA → Events.
We are proud of Derek and Mercury for representing UCT with enthusiasm and purpose!
Listen to the interview below to hear their stories and learn more about the upcoming fundraiser.
Credit for Life: Practicing Financial Independence
How do you balance what you need with what you want, and still save for the future? Hannah Fogg and Jim Curran facilitated the experience, helping students connect their future plans with everyday financial decisions.
In the program outlined by Cape Cod 5, students choose a profession and work through a simulated budget, making spending decisions while tracking checking, savings, and credit card balances. Expenses such as housing and transportation help illustrate how everyday choices affect the money available for other needs and goals.
The experience encourages students to prioritize needs before wants, plan for savings, and pay attention to their available funds and credit limits. After completing the activities, students review their budget with a teacher, school counselor, or Cape Cod 5 volunteer to reflect on their decisions.
Credit for Life connects career exploration with the practical responsibilities of adulthood. It gives students a chance to practice making financial choices and consider the trade-offs involved.
Families can extend the conversation at home: Which expenses surprised you? What did you adjust to make your budget work? These questions can help students reflect on the experience and begin discussing their own goals.
Thank you to Hannah Fogg and Jim Curran for guiding our juniors through this valuable learning experience!
Find Your Path: Exploring Careers in Residential Construction
For students who enjoy working with their hands, solving problems, and seeing the results of their hard work, a career in residential construction can offer exciting opportunities and a rewarding future. At Upper Cape Tech, we recognize the importance of helping students explore career pathways that align with their interests, strengths, and goals.
The residential construction industry continues to offer strong career opportunities, with approximately 326,000 job openings nationwide. Skilled professionals in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and other construction-related fields are essential to building and maintaining the homes and communities where we live.
These careers can also provide financial stability and opportunities for advancement. In 2025, the median annual wage in construction was $61,370, exceeding the national median annual wage of $50,980. Many skilled trades also offer pathways to employment without the expense of a traditional four-year college degree.
Exploring Career Opportunities
Carpentry: Carpenters bring building plans to life by framing structures, installing doors, and completing other essential construction projects. Experienced carpenters may advance to supervisory positions or establish their own businesses. In 2025, the national average annual wage for carpenters was $66,470.
Plumbing: Plumbers play an essential role in residential construction, installing and maintaining the systems that keep homes functioning safely and efficiently. This career suits individuals who enjoy troubleshooting and hands-on problem-solving. In 2025, the national average annual wage for plumbers was $71,870.
Electrical: Electricians install, maintain, and repair the electrical systems that power our homes. The field combines technical knowledge, precision, and problem-solving, with opportunities to specialize in emerging areas such as solar energy. In 2025, the national average annual wage for electricians was $70,190.
Building Skills for the Future
One of the greatest advantages of career and technical education is the opportunity for students to develop practical skills while exploring potential career pathways. Through hands-on learning, students build technical knowledge alongside essential workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and professionalism.
Whether students plan to enter the workforce, pursue an apprenticeship, continue their education, or eventually own a business, the skilled trades offer multiple pathways to success.
At Upper Cape Tech, we are proud to help students discover their interests, develop their talents, and prepare for meaningful careers. A successful future can take many forms, and careers in the skilled trades offer tremendous opportunities for students ready to build theirs.
Family Science Night: Salt Marsh Explorers
Looking for a hands-on science adventure? The Woods Hole Science and Technology Education Partnership invites families, teachers, scientists, and community members to explore Little Sippewissett Marsh at Woodneck Beach in Falmouth on Wednesday, October 14, from 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Join Dr. Taniya RoyChowdhury, a soil microbial ecologist at Woodwell Climate Research Center, to examine marsh species, investigate microscopic soil life, and discover how coastal wetlands protect our coastlines. Educational stations will offer opportunities to explore this unique ecosystem and see field research in action.
Drop in anytime during the program and rotate through the stations at your own pace.
Woodneck Beach is located at the end of Woodneck Road, off Sippewissett Road in Falmouth. Ample parking is available.
All Cape College Day is October 14th! Information for students and families.
The 60th Annual All Cape College Day Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, 2026 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM at Barnstable High School. The college fair is open to the public and there is no cost to attend.
We are excited to partner with StriveScan again this year to enhance the fair experience for our students and our post-secondary representatives. Students should pre-register at strivefair.com or by using the QR code in the post. Once you register, you will receive your barcode via email and/or text message.
You can save the QR code on your phone or print a paper copy and bring it with you. (Registering at the fair will delay your entrance.) Representatives will scan your barcode during the event. After the fair, you will receive an email report with information from all of the colleges and programs who scanned your barcode!
Wondering what institutions will be present? Here is the list of organizations that have already confirmed their participation: 2026 All Cape College Day Attendees! Questions? Email allcapecollegeday@gmail.com.
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If you are not receiving messages from ParentSquare or if you are having trouble, contact the Mr. Sean Stephens at support@uppercapetech.org. You can visit www.parentsquare.com for more information.