The CTAE Connector

Thank you to our astounding CTE teachers for displaying constant enthusiasm for learning and a willingness to help students succeed, regardless of circumstances. Your dedication is crucial in setting students up for a successful future, career, and life. By assisting them in navigating this important time in their lives, you are not only imparting valuable knowledge and skills but also fostering resilience, confidence, and a passion for lifelong learning. Your support and guidance ensure that students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of the modern world and achieve their full potential.

Each and every day, we are "Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Workforce," and we can only do this with your support and dedication to our students and schools!

Please feel free to contact us at 813-794-2204 and follow Pasco County Schools!

Stay safe, keep it simple, and be well,

Lori Romano, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education

Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) is a national trade association supporting merit shop electrical and systems contractors. With over 50 chapters across the U.S., IEC empowers the electrical industry through:

• Apprenticeship Programs: 4-year, hands-on training recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor
• Continuing Education: Courses to keep electricians certified and up to date
• Industry Advocacy: Promoting open competition and free enterprise
• Networking & Support: Events and resources for business growth and safety

Whether you're starting your career or growing your business, IEC is a powerful partner in the electrical trade.

Thank you to the IEC West Coast Chapter and Natasha Sherwood for your support of our CTE programs in Pasco County!

In April, the CTAE Department hosted two BEYOND Career and Tech Expos. Students had the opportunity to interact directly with business and industry partners, attend break out sessions around dressing for success and more.

Thank you to Hudson High School and Cypress Creek High School for hosting the 2025 BEYOND Career and Tech Expos. Thank you to all of our business partners who participated in the event. Your dedication to our CTE programs provides a pathway to a successful future for our students. Thank you to the students from Saint Leo University for their Dress for Success presentation

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovations Patient Care Technician Instructor, Jacqueline Tellez, was recognized at the School Board meeting for being selected as the 2025 Pasco County CTE Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations to Mrs.Tellez. We are beyond grateful for your dedication to your students and the Health Science pathway in Pasco County Schools

Joshua McClanathan has been named the 2025 CTE High School Student of the Year. Here are a few words from his teacher, Timothy Parrish.

"Joshua McClanathan has been enrolled in Army JROTC since his Freshman year and has worked his way up through Senior year. He is always willing and able to help and volunteer. He is an excellent student leader that always seeks to continue self-improvement. As part of JROTC, he completed over two hundred hours of community service. During his Senior year at AHS, he earned the honor of serving as the JROTC Battalion Commander (highest ranking JROTC Cadet), responsible for student leadership of the organization.

Joshua also played a crucial role in AmSkills Advanced Manufacturing during his Freshman and Junior years. He worked and studied with the previous AmSkills instructor, earning several certifications within the program. Josh served as a role model for several of his classmates within the class.

Josh earned the 2024 Anne Frank Humanitarian Award. During his Senior year, Joshua started a mentorship program between JROTC and Paul R Smith Middle School to encourage at risk 6th-8th graders. The American Legion selected him to attend the 2024 Florida Boys State. He learned the intricacies of State and local politics and continued to improve his understanding of citizenship. Joshua was also named the 2025 Anclote Outstanding Senior Award."

Congratulations to Joshua McClanathan!

Rori Murphy has been named the 2025 CTE Middle School Student of the Year. Here are a few words from her teacher, Stephanie Steffens.

"Rori Murphy is a high-achieving 8th grader and aspiring computer scientist. Over the past three years, she has excelled in her computer coding courses at Pine View Middle School. Rori’s academic performance has been outstanding, consistently earning top grades in advanced math and computer science courses. Her exceptional problem-solving skills and analytical thinking make her an outstanding candidate for this award.

Beyond her academic prowess, Rori has actively engaged in extracurricular activities related to her field of interest. She is a straight-A student, a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and actively involved in theater at PVMS. Her interest in CTAE coding courses and her involvement in theater have inspired her to pursue a career in technical theater.

Rori possesses remarkable interpersonal skills and has proven herself to be a valuable team player. She excels at collaborating with fellow students, displaying strong communication and project management abilities. Her exceptional skills in coding have earned her the “Outstanding Coding Student” award in both her 7th and 8th grade years at PVMS. Her team also excelled in the PVMS Community Project by making 250 friendship bracelets and giving them out to elementary students when they presented to 4th and 5th graders about the “Power of Kindness” at Pine View Elementary School."

Congratulations to Rori Murphy!

Land O Lakes High School hosted the annual Pasco Young Entrepreneurs Competition 2025. Students pitched their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges in a dynamic "shark tank" style setting. This event provided students with the opportunity to conceive and test new business ideas, gather evidence to validate their business models, and present unique solutions to current problems. Entrepreneurship education benefits students by teaching them to think creatively, take risks, and develop their talents, ultimately creating opportunities, instilling confidence, and stimulating the economy.

Thank you Pasco-Hernando State College for sponsoring our event decorations and appetizers for the evening. Thank you Tampa Premium Outlets and SMARTstart Pasco for your generous prize donations for the winners of PYEC 2025. We are so thankful for your support. We would not be able to host this event without your support. Thank you Land O' Lakes High School and Academy of Culinary Arts students for allowing us to host this event in your space and for whipping up delicious appetizers.

Congratulations to our winners-

First Place- Maddison Bradford with NeuroEase Therapeutic Socks

Second Place- Fenggu Yu with X Guard

Third Place- Amelia Van Ochten with PerfectFit Intimates

Submitted by Teresa Nissen

Fred K. Marchman Technical College in partnership with the Early Learning Coalition hosted the Transition to Kindergarten event on May 1. FKMTC Phoenix Ambassadors engaged pre-school aged children in hands-on activities introducing them to a number of careers. Participation of Career Certificate Programs included Cosmetology, Digital Cinema Production, Electricity, Marine Service Technologies, Master Automotive Service Technology, and Welding Technology.

Submitted by Nicole Graziano

The Stampede yearbook staff received the highest award, the Sunshine Standout, at the Florida Scholastic Press Association annual spring conference, one of only 12 high schools in the state to earn this award.

Submitted by Susan McNulty

Congratulations to Davina Horowitz for earning 3rd Place at the Florida Invention Convention this weekend for IV Ease. She also earned a ticket to compete at the National Competition this summer with the hopes of winning a patent! We are so proud of her!

Davina also placed First in our 2024 PYEC competition.

Submitted by Chad Mallo

We are honored to recognize the exceptional accomplishments of our talented students who competed in the State FBLA Competition this weekend. All have qualified for Nationals in Anaheim, CA, at the end of June.

Middle School State FBLA 1st Place Winners:

Akshaj Nagamalli - Exploring Economics

Emery Mallon and Cadence Rotteveel - Marketing Mix Challenge

Gianna Gawienczuk, Samantha Phan, Yashika Ramavath - Website Design.

High School State FBLA Winners:

Shivtanay Chintalapalli, 2nd Place

Jagathi Patibandla, 4th Place.

Our sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Mallo and Ms. Davis for their outstanding leadership and dedication to providing this exceptional opportunity to many students.

Submitted by Angeline Academy of Innovation

Junior and senior business students participated in a special Lunch & Learn event with the owner of Capital Tacos. While enjoying a delicious meal, students gained valuable insights into real-world business strategies, life lessons, and the importance of perseverance. The owner shared personal stories about the journey of building a successful business, emphasizing resilience, dedication, and the mindset needed to overcome obstacles. It was an inspiring and motivating experience that connected classroom learning to real entrepreneurial success.

Submitted by Jennifer Biedler

In April, students of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter at Charles S. Rushe Middle School made a significant impact in their community. Students delivered 75 gift bags and large items to the Ronald McDonald house. This act of kindness not only provided much needed support to families in need but also exemplified the spirit of giving and community service that HOSA strives to instill in its members.

A group of Medical Academy students recently took part in a community service project at a local nursing home, where they worked together to clean and enhance the outdoor patio area.

Students removed leaves and debris, laid fresh mulch, and bordered the space to create a more organized and welcoming environment. They added colorful, hand-painted rocks and invited residents to decorate flowerpots and plant seeds, bringing a burst of creativity and greenery to the area. The residents were thrilled with the transformation, and the project provided a meaningful opportunity for students to give back to a place that had been an important part of their clinical experience.

Submitted by Tara Campbell

Students from J.W. Mitchell’s Medical Academy recently participated in the Rescue Roundup, where they gained hands-on experience with fire and EMS professionals. Students had the opportunity to try on fire gear, handle the Jaws of Life, and learn about the daily routines of first responders, including shifts and firehouse life. They toured the fire engine, sat inside the truck,

and saw how these essential vehicles are equipped for emergencies. The EMS team also showcased their gear, giving students a deeper understanding of the tools and techniques used in emergency medical services. The event offered valuable insight into the teamwork, skill, and dedication required in both fire and EMS professions.

Submitted by Tara Campbell

Great ending to another great HOSA State Leadership Conference! Proud of all the students who were able to experience this level of competition and connect with likeminded peers from across the State! Until next year!

Submitted by Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation

Students from Land O' Lakes Academy of Culinary Arts participated in Sushi Day. Students in Nutrition and Food Safety constructed a California Roll, while the Culinary Arts 1 students created Shrimp Tempura Rolls.

Submitted by Jessica Cooper

Culinary 2 students are hard at work on their final team dishes of the year, and the stakes are high! With ingredients handpicked by their Culinary 3 and 4 peers, the Culinary 2 teams have their work cut out for them. This unique challenge pushes their creativity and skills to the limit, as they transform a diverse array of ingredients into delicious and innovative dishes.

Submitted by Fivay High School

PVMS Computer Coding students enjoyed learning to code using the MicroBit. Students coded to create "Rock Paper Scissors", "Micro Chat", and "Marble Run".

Submitted by Stephanie Steffens

The FHS JROTC Military Ball 2025 was a special night where cadets came together to celebrate their hard work and achievements throughout the year. This event promised an evening filled with fun, camaraderie, and well-deserved recognition for their dedication and commitment.

Submitted by Fivay High School JROTC

FHS JROTC participated in the Orienteering States Competition at Starkey Park, securing an impressive sixth place overall. The Falcons also celebrated numerous individual award winners! Great job, Falcons!

Submitted by Fivay High School JROTC

On April 30th, Fivay High School received the fire truck that was donated by Pasco County Fire Rescue. It was an exciting day for the fire academy students as they began to explore the fire truck and discover the work-based learning opportunities that await them. The students are eager to engage in hands-on activities that will bridge their classroom learning to real world applications.

On Wednesday, May 7th, the fire academy students, along with Pasco County Fire Rescue and other community members, participated in a traditional “push-in” ceremony where they collectively push the fire engine into the station signifying the unit’s readiness and commitment to serving the community.

Thank you to Pasco County Fire Rescue for your commitment to promoting our Fire Science program, as well as providing opportunities to our students that will set them up for success in their futures.

Submitted by Emily Lamb

Criminal Justice final exam was a three week exercise involving the processing of a murder scene and ends with the Detectives testifying as to their findings in court 21 days later. This is the capstone of a three year journey for these budding criminal justice professionals!

Submitted by Denis Riel

To share information about your program that you would like considered for the CTAE monthly newsletter (photos, awards, events, certifications, etc), please use our monthly CTAE MachForm or email Taylor Constantino (taconsta@pasco.k12.fl.us).

Email: lmromano@pasco.k12.fl.us

Website: http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/

If you are interested in becoming a CTAE Business Partner for the 2024-2025 School Year, please submit your information through this Mach Form.