CTC Career Talk

📜 CTC Students Rise to the Challenge of Certification Season 📜

As we enter the heart of certification season, our CTC community is buzzing with focus, determination, and pride. This time of year represents a truly unique opportunity for our students—one that sets CTC apart. The certifications you are preparing for are more than just exams; they are powerful credentials you can carry with you beyond high school, showcase on your résumé, and use to launch your career with confidence.

We want to take a moment to recognize and commend each of you for the hard work, dedication, and preparation you’ve invested to reach this point. Success in certification doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built through consistent effort, practice, and perseverance, all of which you’ve demonstrated.

As you approach your exams, remember to give yourself the time and space needed to prepare effectively. Walk into each testing room with confidence, knowing you are ready to succeed. Trust in your abilities, reflect on how far you’ve come, and take pride in representing both yourself and the strong foundation built here at CTC.

Our teachers and staff are incredibly proud of you and the commitment you’ve shown. Your achievements are a reflection of not only your individual efforts, but also the collective work happening every day within our programs.

We wish you the very best of luck on your upcoming certifications. And for those who have already completed and passed—congratulations! You’ve taken another significant step toward a bright and successful future.

Kevin Pirri

Assistant Principal

FCPS Career and Technology Center

DEADLINE: March 31, 2026

The Community Foundation of Frederick County is committed to supporting students who are seeking career education and training outside of traditional post-secondary schooling. Scholarships are available for qualifying students who apply through the Community Foundation’s online application that opens on November 15.

Thanks to generous donors who have created charitable funds, scholarship support is available for Frederick County residents to help pay for training at an accredited trade or technical program as well as certification exams, tools and other necessary supplies for study and work in the trades. The online scholarship application remains open until the funds are depleted or until the application closes on March 31, 2026.

For details or to apply go to: Scholarships - The Community Foundation of Frederick County

DEADLINE: April 3, 2026

FSRC Memorial Scholarship

The Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club Memorial Scholarship is open to Frederick County, Maryland high school seniors who will be attending college, trade school, or enlisting in the US military.

FSRC Memorial Scholarship Application Process – Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club

DEADLINE: May 1, 2026

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc

Beta Alpha Sigma Zeta Chapter of Frederick

Annual BASZ Scholarship

This scholarship was created to support graduating seniors in Frederick County who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to community service. As an organization rooted in the principles of Scholarship and Service, Zeta Phi Beta are dedicated to investing in students who are committed to making a meaningful impact within their communities.

💰 They will be awarding $2,000 to the 2 winners this year. 💰

DEADLINE: May 15, 2026

Dr. Rob Mansman will award a $1000 scholarship to one qualifying area graduating high school senior. Applicant must complete and present the Pediatric Dental Center of Frederick the application below, along with a 500+ word essay on “How does the American legal system operate differently for wealthy-connected individuals compared to ordinary citizens? Use and example of a current or past case to justify your response.”

Additionally, applicants should include a sealed transcript and a letter of acceptance from the college they will be attending. Scholarship information must be turned in to our office by May 15, 2026 at noon. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be reviewed.

More information:

https://www.smilefrederick.com/coming-soon-02

https://www.mykiddsmiles.com/scholarship-1

DEADLINE: June 10, 2026

Abbott & Fenner Business Consultants

are pleased to be able to continue with their

scholarship program for the 20th year.

💰 They will be awarding $1,000 to the winner(s) each year. 💰

The A&F Scholarships are available to all high school juniors and seniors as well as all students currently registered in any accredited post-secondary institution.

Application Procedure

To apply for this scholarship, you will need to write a 500-1000 word essay on the topic below:

Describe your educational career and life goals. Explain your plan for achieving these goals. Include your degree/major, why you selected it, and how this degree/major will help you achieve your goals.

For full submission details see: Scholarships - A&F Business Consultants

Application: https://www.smilefrederick.com/_files/ugd/f6ba26_6134e13bfd7641f59fa11f8b0bc6d128.pdf

SkillsUSA is proud to partner with the SkillPointe Foundation to expand scholarship access for students pursuing careers in Construction, Energy, Manufacturing, Transportation, Healthcare, Automotive and more.

The SkillPointe Foundation has committed $250,000 exclusively for SkillsUSA members, giving them top consideration across dozens of high-demand career scholarships.

Visit the SkillPointe Foundation's website to explore current opportunities and apply.

SkillsUSA College/Postsecondary Scholarships Are Open!

Many students are thinking ahead to the cost of college and SkillsUSA offers exclusive scholarship opportunities for members pursuing postsecondary education. Registered SkillsUSA members with upcoming tuition expenses for the fall 2026 academic term can apply for scholarships provided by SkillsUSA and our industry partners.

Open scholarships include:

Ø Air Conditioning , Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) The Clifford H. "Ted" Rees Jr. Scholarship Foundation ($2,500, closes April 17)

Ø Fine Homebuilding #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship ($2,500, closes April 17)

Ø Larry Rash Memorial Scholarship ($2,500, closes April 17)

Ø Marsha Daves Memorial Scholarship ($1,500, closes April 17)

Ø NAPA/SkillsUSA Transportation Repair Pathway Scholarship ($2,500, closes June 30)

Ø National Technical Honor Society Scholarship ($1,000, closes April 17)

Ø Sharon Melton Myers Memorial ($1,000, closes April 17)

SkillsUSA partners with Kaleidoscope to provide a streamlined application platform. Students are encouraged to explore the SkillsUSA Scholarships webpage now to view available opportunities and more will be posted soon. For scholarship questions or assistance in applying, reach out to Customer Care.

Frederick Magazine recently featured several of our talented CTC alumni in an article on women pursuing careers in the skilled trades. The piece highlights their determination, the hands‑on training that launched their careers, and the growing opportunities for women in fields like welding, electrical work, and construction.

It’s an inspiring look at how our graduates are shaping the future of the trades. Read the full article here: https://www.frederickmagazine.com/articles/trading-up

* CTC extends its thanks to Frederick Magazine for permission to reproduce their cover photo. Photo Credit: Mark Youngblood

Frederick Magazine recently spotlighted the hands‑on horticulture and greenhouse programs offered across FCPS, including the impressive work happening right here at CTC. The article highlights how students gain real‑world experience in plant science, agriculture, and environmental stewardship—while also preparing for careers in fields like landscaping, turf management, and horticulture.

It’s a great look at how our students are growing both plants and future career skills. Read the full article here: https://www.frederickmagazine.com/articles/cultivating-futures

The Frederick News-Post mentioned CTC's Builder Olympics, held at the Frederick Home & Garden Expo, in a March 23, 2026 article.

Check it out!

Home show offers opportunities, inspiration for businesses and clients | Retail | fredericknewspost.com

The ASE Education Foundation's 2025 Annual Report featured alumnus Dakota Thrasher. Read the article below or at this link:

ASE Education Foundation 2025 Annual Report - ASE Education Foundation.

Learn more about the ASE Education Foundation at Home - ASE Education Foundation

* CTC extends its thanks to the Foundation for permission to reproduce this page of their Annual Report.

🎉CTC is proud to recognize three outstanding students who have been selected to receive this year’s Future STEM+C Award, an honor celebrating excellence, curiosity, and dedication in science, technology, engineering, math, and career pathways. These students have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their fields and continue to inspire their peers and instructors alike.

🏅 Julian Reid (TAM) – Science

🏅 Kathryn Gilliam (TAM) – CTE

🏅 Makayla Olenchalk (Dental Assisting) – Math

Please join us in congratulating these students for their hard work and achievements. Their accomplishments reflect the bright future ahead for STEM and CTE fields.

Some if not most of us have a mental list of tasks, projects, homework, etc. that we want or need to tackle. Spring is a great time to start tackling or “cleaning” this mental list. Spring cleaning your mind is similar in practice to spring cleaning your house: decluttering the things that are holding you back, reinventing or refining your values, and then maintaining that sense of mental cleanliness and self-awareness moving forward. Below are some tips for Spring cleaning your mind:

Break Bad Habits

- Tackle one habit at a time 🔨

- Pick a start date 📆

Eliminate Negative Thoughts & Speech

- Approach problems as opportunities

- Take positive action whenever negative thoughts enter your mind ➕

Clear Your Physical Space

- Donate any item/items you no longer need

- Clean your room and other areas of your home you access often 🧹

Develop Gratitude

- Make a list of things you are grateful for

- Appreciate simple pleasures

Develop and/or Maintain positive relationships

- Offer encouragement 👏

- Be kind and allow yourself to be treated with kindness

Practice Mindfulness 🧘🏻‍♀️

- Observe your feelings/thoughts without judging them as good or bad

- Be present in the moment

This resource supports parents and guardians in viewing important special education or Section 504 information and staying connected with their child’s educational planning. The resource includes step by step directions and a video at the top for parents/guardians to view.

• Parent Portal Guide (English)
• Parent Portal Guide (Spanish)

Students in the Electrical program visited IEC Chesapeake for an inside look at apprenticeship training and career opportunities in the electrical trade. During the visit, students learned about the structure of apprenticeship programs, classroom instruction, and on-the-job training required to become a licensed electrician.

Students also toured the training facility, where they observed hands-on learning environments and spoke with instructors and industry professionals. The experience provided valuable insight into the next steps after graduation and helped students better understand career pathways within the electrical field.

Second-year HVAC and Plumbing students visited O’Connor’s Training Center for a hands-on learning experience focused on essential industry skills and equipment. Throughout the day, students rotated through stations covering pumps, water heaters, and proper drain cleaning techniques.

Students practiced brazing and silver soldering, gaining experience with precision heating and pipe connections. They also worked with professional-grade tools, including operating a drain snake and learning how to safely use a K-95 machine for clearing lines. The training provided valuable real-world experience from industry professionals and instructors and helped build confidence in the technical skills needed for careers in the HVAC and plumbing industry.

Cosmetology Students Attend Be+Well Beauty and Wellness Show in NYC

Second-year Cosmetology students traveled to New York City to attend the Be+Well Beauty and Wellness Show, where they explored the latest trends in beauty, wellness, and self-care. The event featured a variety of vendors, live demonstrations, and educational opportunities from industry professionals.

Students had the chance to engage with new products, techniques, and emerging ideas shaping the beauty industry. The experience provided valuable inspiration and insight, helping students connect their classroom learning to real-world opportunities in cosmetology and wellness careers.

Students in the TV Multimedia program traveled to Shepherd University to attend the American Conservation Film Festival, where they viewed a selection of documentary films focused on environmental issues, wildlife conservation, and global sustainability efforts. The screenings highlighted powerful storytelling techniques used to educate and inspire audiences.

In addition to the films, students participated in post-screening discussions and engaged with filmmakers and industry professionals in conservation and media production. The experience provided valuable insight into documentary filmmaking, from production to storytelling, and encouraged students to consider how media can be used to raise awareness and drive change.

Welding and Landscape Design students recently visited the University of Maryland Institute of Applied Agriculture (UMA IAA) for an in-depth look at careers in agriculture and land management. During the visit, students toured the agricultural mechanics shop and learned about the hands-on skills used in modern agricultural operations.

Students also visited Xfinity Field to discuss turf management and natural grass systems, explored the landscape architecture program, and toured the school’s working farm. The experience provided valuable insight into a variety of career pathways and helped students connect their technical skills to opportunities in agriculture and environmental design.

Instructors from the AoHP programs taught students and staff Basic Life Support and First Aid. 50 certifications were earned by students in the Medical Assisting, Nurse Assisting, and Dental Assisting and by staff.

Students in Ms. Marcum’s Biomedical Innovation class are completing their Project Lead the Way (PLTW) capstone project this semester. This independent project allows students to apply knowledge from their three previous courses to design and conduct an experiment focused on human health. Students may work individually or with a partner.

After selecting a topic, students review relevant scientific literature and write a literature review to guide the development of their methods. They also create a research proposal, which they present to a Scientific Review Committee (SRC). The SRC ensures that each project is scientifically sound, safe for both the student and others, and follows proper research procedures. For projects involving human participants, an Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews proposals to ensure participants are protected, informed consent is obtained, and ethical standards are upheld.

Recently, CTC convened an SRC to review student proposals. As an affiliate of the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF), through the FCPS Science & Engineering Fair, CTC follows all ISEF guidelines.

The SRC included Kevin Pirri (CTC Assistant Principal), Karin Kidd (CTC Academy of Health Professions Teacher), Trish Crowell (CTC Biomedical Science Teacher), and Leah MacDonald (Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Clinical Monitoring Research Program Directorate of Leidos Biomed, a contractor at the Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research). The committee reviewed and approved all 10 project proposals.

Once materials are received, students will conduct their experiments and analyze their data. They will present their findings in a scientific paper and a poster, which will be showcased at Capstone Night in May 2026.

It has been a busy month in TAM!

Our community of future educators started off the month with 7 of our members attending the TEACH Maryland Conference. 7 of our 18 Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) students had the exciting opportunity to attend the TEACH Maryland Conference! Throughout the day, students participated in engaging breakout sessions on a variety of educational topics and had the chance to connect with educators from across the state.

One of the highlights was hearing from Alonna Soward-Puryear, whose inspiring message about teaching and leadership truly resonated with our future educators. Even more special—she actually taught one of our TAM students during her first year of teaching in Frederick County Public Schools!

Experiences like this help our students see the impact and possibilities within the teaching profession while learning directly from passionate leaders in the field. We’re so proud of our future educators for taking advantage of opportunities to grow and learn!

Students from left to right: Lainey Nelson, Marissa DeFriece, Abby Maslin, Teacher of the year Alana Soward-Puryear, Jamilia Castro, Kianna Holt, Jillian Reid, Samantha Fero

Guest Speakers:

A huge thank you to Ms. DeSimon, our amazing multilingual teacher, for visiting the Teacher Academy of Maryland and sharing her expertise on best practices for supporting multilingual learners in the classroom. Our students loved the opportunity to learn directly from a practicing educator who works with multilingual learners every day!

Experiences like this give our future educators valuable insight into real classroom strategies and help them build the tools they need to support all learners. As students progress through the program, they continue to expand their skills, perspectives, and passion for inclusive teaching.

We are grateful for educators like Ms. DeSimon who take the time to inspire the next generation of teachers!

Our second guest speaker for the month featured members of the Central Office Core Literacy Team, who shared their expertise on the science of reading and its influence on effective, day-to-day instruction. Students especially appreciated the interactive experience of constructing their own “reading rope,” deepening their understanding of the components of skilled reading. We extend our sincere thanks to the Core Literacy Team for inspiring and supporting the development of the next generation of evidence-informed educators.

The HR team has launched their new and improved Substitute Recruitment webpage!

This update was part of our effort to make information about substitute opportunities with FCPS more accessible, clear, and engaging for prospective applicants. Please feel free to share the link with your families and community members: https://www.fcps.org/about/career_opportunities/substitute_teachers

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