North Country Career Center
Events
October 3, 2024
BETA Technologies
Mobile Dome Visit
October 10, 2024
Open House
October 17, 2024
ASVAB Testing
November 7, 2024
Early Release Day
NCCC in the News
It's never too early to start planning for the future! The Transportation Science Technology Program recently invited Tom Larose, University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH), to present training programs and majors, financial aid, campus life, extracurriculars and so much more - check out the racing program. Post-secondary planning is an important component of Career & Technical education and NCCC looks forward to hosting a variety of guest speakers from admission representatives to alumni to share the vast array of possibilities.
Heavy Equipment students Jacob Ashman, Cameron Desrochers and Ethan Moulton kicked off a big event at the NCCC Land Lab with a comprehensive tour of this amazing facility. The Land Lab sits on 65 pristine acres off the Quarry Road in Derby and is home to three excellent programs; Building Trades, Heavy Equipment Operation & Maintenance, and Natural Resources. The students led the tour for a variety of state and local personnel and spoke about student engagement through experiential and work based learning opportunities, foundational safety training, collaboration and professionalism in the skilled trades, the range of activities, and promising career pathways after graduation.
Wil Sargent, a recent completer of the Welding & Metal Fabrication program, just completed this amazing project this morning - it is a 5 foot-diameter sphere which was created from 488 steel horseshoes. Wil designed and fabricated this unique object which is now on the way to grace the property of the very lucky person who commissioned this work. Wil spent many hours, often beyond his regular class time, using the GMAW (gas metal arc welding) process to finish the work. It is a great example of the blending of imagination, creativity, technical skills and perseverance.
Congrats to the newly licensed NCCC Cosmetology Class of 2024! Students tested on May 19 for their Vermont State License and successfully completed a written and practical exam. This is the culmination of two rigorous years of over 1,000 hours in the classroom and salon practicing, refining and perfecting a number of skills sets. These students have demonstrated perseverance, commitment and passion for this career pathway. Huge thanks to Laurie Jacobs, Cosmetology Instructor who prepares students so comprehensively with her mastery level skills and dedication to this profession.
NCCC's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) student organization is on a roll! Tia Judd was named 'New FBLA Chapter Advisor of the Year', membership grew exponentially, two Business Leadership & Marketing students served as state officers; Hannah Erickson as State Historian and Ashton Shedd as State Reporter, several students took top honors at the State competition and are heading to Nationals, and to top it all off the local chapter achieved the Gold level of Champion Chapter program.
Congratulations to our ASSC Program
I am proud to announce that my Animal & Environmental Systems Science FFA students are the 2024 Vermont Envirothon champions again this year. Both teams did extremely well, placing 1st (the only all female team) and 2nd overall. Each team excelled in the oral presentation portion of the competition where the topic was "Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future". They also took home the Virginia Collins Team Spirit Award, which made my heart extremely happy. The announcer explained that the Collins award is "given to the team that exemplifies kindness, enthusiasm, proper conduct and professional behavior." YES! We did it. - ASSC Instructor Emily Dehoff
Congratulations to Travis Driver, a senior in the NCCC Business Leadership and Marketing program, who landed a job after completing a work-based learning experience with Community National Bank. The day after his experience ended Travis successfully interviewed for a position at the bank Travis' goal has been to work in finance and he is excited to be moving into this next step in his chosen career pathway. This is the ultimate expression of how a work-based learning experience can solidify a student's interest in a career and evolve into a paid position.
CCC STEM students participated in a once in a lifetime experience at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, VT last week. Thanks to the Air Guardsmen who helped organize this event and General Dynamics for the educational background on the mechanics of the equipment. Students witnessed General Dynamics test-fire three burst shots of the A-10 Gatling gun 50 rounds/second for a 25 mm round, and were educated about the mechanical and electrical systems.
Congratulations to NCCC SkillsUSA Team! This year we were recognized as Chapter of Excellence at the silver level. We also have some individual victories to celebrate: Alan Esposito for earning gold in a Job Skill demonstration, PPE for Arborists, and Brooke Breitmeyer for earning silver in Medical Terminology. Many thanks to Celine Champine for her dedicated advising and our chapter officers for their leadership.
Work Based Learning is a privilege, an experience and often life changing. Students recently told their stories of an array of experiences to a room full of area businesses at the 2nd Annual Employer Appreciation Breakfast. Andrea Carbine, Work Based Learning Coordinator, brought together numerous worksite hosts and employers for a debrief and a Q & A session while enjoying a delicious breakfast prepared by NCCC Culinary Arts students (thanks Chef Woodward and students). This collaboration celebrates the many bonds that students forge with worksites, mentors and professional environments that leave an indelible mark.
The importance of relationships in education is recognized as a critical factor in student success and yes, happiness. NCCC recently lost a member of our school community, Shermie Dehoff, who touched the lives of hundreds of students and many of our staff and faculty. This relationship was as elemental as they come and could best be characterized by the simplicity and the deep bond that was created so seamlessly. The science supporting the benefits of human-animal relationships is incontrovertible.
On a more personal note, Shermie was a NCCC ambassador for Animal Science students and often a class subject for scientific study. He had been adopted as a senior dog by Emily Dehoff, Animal Systems Science & Conservation Instructor, and came from a difficult situation. With love, patience and kindness he grew to trust, and loved coming to school and interacting with students. This transformation in itself is an important lesson for students who wish to pursue a career working with animals.
Thank you North Country Hospital for another year of clinical rotations for Health Sciences Year 1 students. This amazing opportunity allows students to rotate through the myriad of departments and career pathways in the Allied Health Professions. These experiences are often the catalyst in helping students decide on a specific field of post-secondary study. An added bonus is connecting with NCCC/NCUHS alum who are working every day in many departments and passing on their knowledge, experience and professionalism to the next wave. Special thanks yesterday to pharmacists Hillary Chase (Class of 2012) and Jillian Donovan (Class of 2011).
Question: 205 elementary students (NCSU & OCSU) + 1 large rat + 14 STEM activities + 1 excited Math Teacher (Genevieve Hamby) + 60 STEM Academy High School Students + 1 Vermont Air National Guard Tech Sgt (thank you Jesse Tynan) + A LOT of support from the maintenance staff, bus drivers, support staff, counselors, and teachers = ???
Answer: A really amazing, engaging, active and fun 4th Grade STEM Fair!
Many thanks to Jessica Riley and the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter staff for the time, energy and expertise that was shared with the Animal Systems Science & Conservation Program. Students worked with felines practicing basic physical exams including cardiovascular, respiratory, ear and eye checks, and information on common parasites and pathogens. NCCC programs continue to flourish due to the numerous NEK community partnerships that offer students rich, experiential opportunities that exponentially add to classroom instruction.
NCCC is very proud to announce that Tia Judd, Business Leadership & Marketing Instructor, was honored at the FBLA state conference as 'New FBLA Chapter Advisor of the Year'. Her students, Ashton Shedd, FBLA State Reporter, and Hannah Erickson, FBLA State Historian, both gave speeches that recognized the significant contribution Ms. Judd has made to their education and the NCCC local FBLA chapter. Tia has increased FBLA participation exponentially and mentored her students to excel in business skills from public speaking and presenting to digital citizenship and marketing. She is a highly accomplished and motivated member of the NCCC teaching team and models professionalism at the highest level every day in her work.
There was a lot to celebrate at the FBLA State Competition! Students demonstrated a high level of skill and professionalism across numerous events with some amazing outcomes. Every student who participated went through numerous trainings, testing and then a full day of competition. Kudos to Tia Judd who prepared her students so well and congratulations to all the students who took on the challenges; Makenna Bean, Taylor Bingham, Martina Blodgett, Bria Bouchard, Armand Capron, Ryan Descheneau, Travis Driver, Morgan Dunn, Hannah Erickson, Ben Fearino, Jael Francis, Jacob Hastings, Carolyn Ladouceur, Landyn Machado, Lauren Mead, Ash Nadeau, Jason Pelletier, Athena Rossell, Cally Sanville, Ashton Shedd and Destiny Wright.
NCCC is back in action and recently Shaye Collins, former FFA state officer, opened his SweetWater Hatchery for Animal Systems Science & Conservation students to study the life cycle of the trout as part of the fisheries biology unit. Ted Snell, from Orleans Country Natural Resources Conservation District, graciously visited the classroom to teach students about salmon and stream ecology. Big thanks to all the community members that support this program, fisheries biology, and FFA.
Congrats to the newest Vermont State Motor Vehicle Inspectors who were put through their paces by DMV personnel on written and practical testing today. Thank you to the DMV team of Detective Curtis Wilkin and Inspectors Cindy Costello, Tyler Duczeminski and Keith Randall. Transportation Science Technology students Abby Costa, Jason Eastman, Tristan Farnham, Owen Hoyt, Ethan Kotelnicki, Spencer Marquette, Nevaeh Morse, Aspen Perrault-Guyette, Alex Perron, Cally Sanville, Jonathan Sylvester, and Justin Young all passed with flying colors. Big thanks to Instructor Karen Chitambar and Lab Supervisor Gerard Chapdelaine who work hard every day to help students gain skills, confidence and these important Industry Recognized Credentials.
Welding students are acquiring industry certifications that will serve them well in their post-secondary plans. Congrats to the following students for qualifying for the D 1.1 Unlimited Certification - Alexis Derouchie, Treyvor Fletcher, Jesse Hamblett, Ezra Lackie, Brodrick Langmaid, Mathieu Smith & Mckenna Ward; and the D 1.1 Limited Structural Steel Certification - Jayden Choquette, Danivyn Daggett, Hayden Gosselin, Caleb Grenier, Ryan Guillette, Maddox Lakin, Logan Lantagne, Connor Marckres & Sam Randall. Thanks as always to Ben Wells, Welding & Metal Fabrication Instructor, for his excellent preparation and instructional efforts with all students.
'Job well done!' - five confident students stepped up to do a job skills demonstration for a panel of community judges to celebrate SkillsUSA week. The students prepared a comprehensive yet concise presentation of a specific skill and 'taught' the skill to the judges. Skills ranged from the technical aspects of using power tools, to CPR & AED with the highest honors going to AJ Esposito who demonstrated how to create an activity for elder care residents using the skills and knowledge from his Lifespan Developmental Psychology class. Many thanks to the community members Graham Rae, Jennifer Palmieri & Dallas Willey (Department of Labor) and Julie Laforce (Built by Newport).
It is with great pleasure that NCCC presents Cooper Hodgeman who was recognized at the Vermont State House on January 22 for his academic, leadership, and diverse range of extracurricular achievements. The list is long and impressive but equally important are his contributions as a mentor to elementary students, his colleagueship and respect for his classmates and teachers, and the high standard he consistently strives to reach which includes pursuing Electrical Engineering after graduation. Well deserved!
Congratulations to Alex Perron and Michael Thomas for qualifying to participate in the 2024 Heritage Automotive Challenge in Burlington on March 13. Alex and Michael will be competing against other Automotive Program students in diagnosis and repair. Students will spend the day with automotive technicians learning, collaborating, enjoying friendly competition, picking up current technologies and hopefully earning scholarship funds. Alex and Michael are ramping up their skills under the expertise of NCCC Instructors Karen Chitambar and Gerard Chapdelaine. Good luck!
Community partnerships help advance student learning and animal health.
Last week Stagecoach Stables was bustling with activity. Bundled in winter coats, Animal Systems Science & Conservation students had the rare opportunity to watch veterinarians from Cold Hollow Veterinary Services perform surgery on a standing sedated horse.
Stagecoach Stables is owned and operated by Jessica Judd, a former Lake Region FFA student. The beautiful horse, Dolly, is owned by Tatum Geoffrey-Kimball, a former FFA student of Ms. Dehoff. Together they worked with Cold Hollow to coordinate this work-based learning opportunity for the students. Ms. Dehoff and her crew are grateful for the dedicated agricultural community members that allow experiential learning on their farms.
NCCC is honored to announce that Cooper Hodgeman will receive an Honorable
Mention in Vermont’s 2024 Presidential Scholars program in Career and Technical
Education. Students are chosen based upon their outstanding leadership and service to their communities along with technical and academic achievement, perseverance, creativity and innovation. Cooper has excelled in the Mechatronics/STEM program under the expertise of Hazen Converse, Program Instructor, and plans to pursue Electrical Engineering. Cooper is an ENCORE after-school program mentor to elementary students, and a member of SkillsUSA, the National Honor Society, and the STEM academy. He is a great asset to our community - congratulations!
Daisy Hailey and Blaike Poutre, Alumni of the first Cosmetology class to receive Vermont Licenses in July 2023 visited the current senior class to give a 'Salon Talk'. Both former students are employed at Studio 12 in Derby and presented a bird's eye view of their first few months in the industry. They discussed topics ranging from client communications, business applications, scheduling, professionalism, and perhaps most important of all, the major transition from learning and practicing in the class to transferring this array of skills to professional practice.
The FFA legacy lives on! In 2008 FFA advisors Fern Fontaine and Dan Ross planted conifer trees at the Land Lab for future FFA students to use for value-added forest product production. Since 2018, Ms. Dehoff has taken her FFA students to the Land Lab to sustainably harvest conifer tips and learn how to make wreaths. We are grateful for the foresight of both Mr. Fontaine and Mr. Ross and their dedication to NCCC FFA.
Thirty NCCC program students held an informational assembly at Lake Region Union HIgh School today for sophomores to give a current student's POV into the various NCCC programs. The message was clear - NCCC is a place for any student who is looking to explore a career pathway and along the way acquire specific skills sets, industry credentials, college credits, work based learning experiences, join student organizations, find a passion for experiential learning and maybe a future career. LRUHS Sophomores will be following up with a visit to the main NCCC campus and the Land Lab next week.
Happy Thanksgiving From NCCC!
Happy Thanksgiving! The Culinary Arts Program is wrapping up its annual bake sale which includes a generous donation to a local community Thanksgiving dinner. A busy team of students have produced eighty pies and seventy dozen rolls which will add to the festivities at many celebrations. Thank you with gratitude to Chef Frances Woodard and her crew; Parker Allen, Kameron Coe, Hayden Cote, Lily Davio, Isaac Effrig, Buckley Kotelnicki, Dayana Leget, Dylan Perkins, Willow Rondeau, Trey Tourangeau and Winter Toulon.
Communication is everything! Guest Anne Marie Tremblay, American Sign Language Instructor, recently certified second year Human Services students in Basic ASL after a series of interactive lessons. Students now have a basic vocabulary of sign language which will increase their ability to be effective communicators with diverse populations. This training is just one of the many certifications that Instructor Heidi Santaw offers in the Human Services Program helping prepare students for a variety of post-secondary career pathways.
A huge thank you to Vermont Electric Co-Op, Newport for welcoming some of our NCCC program and NCUHS STEM students for a true behind the scenes, hands-on informational session and tour. Students were amazed at how many career opportunities are available and learned a lot about the educational requirements, benefits, and demands of these diverse careers. A great educational experience!
NCCC Alumni Teaching New NCCC Students
NCCC Alumni are special! Health Sciences students experienced their first LNA clinical day at Bel-Aire Health Center under the watchful eye of alum Miranda Ryan (Class of 2010) who is now a RN at North Country Hospital and a co-teacher for NCCC in the Licensed Nursing Assistant strand. Her expertise and professional experience are highly valued skill sets and are now enriching the current LNA class. Thank you to Health Sciences Instructors Celine Champine and Kathy Gray who work every year preparing students for successful careers in this vital career pathway with countless hours of experiential learning, community clinical rotations, college classes, industry trainings and credentials and a lot of TLC!
Animal Systems Science Competes
Soil is the soul of the earth! Ms. Dehoff took three of her FFA students to compete at the Vermont FFA Land Judging and Soils Career Development Event in Randolph, VT. This state-wide competition introduces students to the basic concepts of soil science - such as soil texture, slope estimates, runoff potential, and permeability - as well as enables students to practice prescribing recommended land management practices based on the data gathered at each soil pit.
Ms. Dehoff strives to make a positive difference in the lives of her FFA students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success. This mission is accomplished through providing opportunities for her students to practice and compete in competitions and leadership events that will prepare them for professional careers in science.
Transportation Science Technology Live Work Has Begun!
Owen Hoyt, a Junior at Lake Region High School, worked on this Vintage 1958 Metropolitan, releasing the brake cylinders. Students work under the expert guidance of Instructor Karen Chitambar and Lab Supervisor Gerry Chapdelaine. Restorations and vintage cars are an added bonus!
Animal System Sciences Head To The Farm
Community connections are alive and well at NCCC! Thanks to the combined generosity, patience and wisdom of Spring Brook Farm's Kitty and Spud Edwards and Sebastian LaTraverse, Animal System Science students study and work at this biological field station which is an integral part of the program as students discover the science behind agricultural systems This seamless collaboration is entering its sixth year and was carefully crafted by Emily Dehoff, Program Instructor!
The NCCC Welding Program is expanding due to popular demand! Current students have fabricated 14 new booths to replace the 10 original booths. Fabrication from start to finish includes a huge dose of occupational safety practices, measurements and math, grinding and GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding). This project has involved major collaboration amongst Gene's Electric, students and Ben Wells, Program Instructor. A job well done that will offer more students the chance to acquire important skill sets for their future career pathways.
The 2023 College & Career Fair (thanks to Andrea Carbine and a horde of helpers) offered students a chance to mingle with over 60 colleges, tech schools, local employers and community resources. Tyra Scelza (future Wildlife Biologist & Forester) met with University of Maine's admission rep Karyn Soltis-Habeck (lower right); Gavin Rondeau and Preston Moulton, Building Trades Students, talked with Amy Hilliker, Spates Construction and Julie Laforce, Built by Newport (upper right); and Michael Thomas, Auto Student and Karen Chitambar, Auto Instructor, heard about some great opportunities at Tivoly from Tina Royer. There was something for everyone!