Valley Tech Student Secures Top Honors In Carburetor Challenge To Earn Scholarship
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| Gregory Boardman (left) New England Admissions Representative from Powersports Institute, a division of Ohio Technical College, presenting George Bolosky (right) with his scholarship. |
UPTON - At the World of Wheels in Boston, Valley Tech student George Bolosky, from Milford, participated in the Edelbrock Carburetor Challenge to win a $4,000 scholarship to Ohio Technical College in Cleveland.
Edelbrock plays an integral part in educating American youth. The Edelbrock Academy, a newly formed program between Edelbrock and Ohio Technical College (OTC) gives students a solid foundation in the building and tuning of American muscle cars and performance vehicles. OTC has partnered with Edelbrock to host a Carburetor Challenge. During the Challenge, local high school students take a written test and write an essay about carburetor operation and diagnosis. The 1st place winner receives a $5,000 scholarship; 2nd place $4,000; 3rd place $3,000; and 4th place $2,000 to Ohio Technical College.
"It is a joy to watch these young adults compete," said Derek Stienstra, Valley Tech Automotive Technology Instructor. "Hours of hard work go into the preparation for this challenge and it is demonstrated by their automotive knowledge and passion for the industry. We encourage the students to give both effort and commitment in order for them to truly prove their abilities."
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech works toward enhancing the economic, social, and historic strengths of the region by providing integrated academic and vocational technical skills, empowering students to achieve world-class educational excellence, diverse career opportunities, and individual success in an ever-changing global society all in a safe learning environment.
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Valley Tech Senior Anthony Young Honored As Lions Young Ambassador
UPTON - Anthony Young of Milford, a senior in the Culinary Arts Program at Blackstone Valley Tech, was recently honored by the District 33A Lions Club as Young Ambassador of the 21st Century.
District 33A consists of the Blackstone Valley Leos and Lions Clubs of Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Shrewsbury, Sutton and Uxbridge. The Young Ambassador Award encourages youth to seek experience in community involvement and leadership; increases awareness of community service opportunities and organizations; and recognizes the value of their achievements.
"District 33A has been participating in the Young Ambassador's Award program for the past few years. We have been extremely pleased with the response and are quite astonished with the outstanding accomplishments of the applicants," stated Cynthia Mainini, Zone 1 Chairperson for District 33A. "In keeping with the organization's Credo: To promote service activities among the youth of the community which will develop the individual qualities of Leadership, Experience and Opportunity, Anthony truly demonstrated these qualities in his application. He is genuinely an exceptional young person and given his motivation, he will certainly make major contributions to his community in the future."
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| Cynthia Mainini, Zone 1 Chairperson for District 33A and Anthony Young, 2013 Young Ambassador of the 21st Century. |
When asked by the Club President why he continues to participate, Anthony said "I find it really can make a great difference for another person, if you just put in that small effort." Anthony is an aspiring pastry chef who was named Valley Tech's Top Culinary Arts Student in 2011-2012. As part of his passion for the culinary arts, he has not only provided services to the public, but has raised money for over 18 national charities in his leadership role for the Friends of Rachel Club charity dinners. In addition, he has helped raise money towards the Murray Project and has participated as the student manager of the Culinary Arts concession stand to support the Culinary Arts Senior class trip to the Hudson River Valley in New York.
He also recently received the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School Most Outstanding Vocational Technical Student for his efforts as Student Ambassador. In this role, he has represented his school at local middle schools throughout the Blackstone Valley to promote and spread the word about Blackstone Valley Tech's across-the-curriculum approach to learning to potential future students. He has also conducted school-wide tours for prospective students, which has had a direct effect on the future student body of the school.
He is a member of the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. He is a SkillsUSA competitor in commercial baking who has won a silver medal at the District level and will be competing at the State level at the end of April. As a senior, he carries an academic course load that includes two Advanced Placement courses. After graduation, he will be attending the prestigious Culinary Institute of America.
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech works toward enhancing the economic, social, and historic strengths of the region by providing integrated academic and vocational technical skills, empowering students to achieve world-class educational excellence, diverse career opportunities, and individual success in an ever-changing global society all in a safe learning environment.
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Valley Tech Students Participate In 66th Annual Student Government Day
Upton - On Friday, April 5, approximately 400 elected students from 180 participating public and private high schools statewide assembled at the State House in Boston to engage in activities replicating the General Court, Constitutional Offices and Supreme Judicial Court for the 66th Annual Student Government Day.
Valley Tech student representatives were Richie Rice from Northbridge, Adam Intinarelli from Sutton and Bruce Marchand from Uxbridge. Participating
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| Valley Tech Students at 66th Annual Student Government Day. From left to right: James Kahler, Adam Intinarelli (Sutton), Senator Richard Moore, Richard Rice (Northbridge), Bruce Marchand (Uxbridge) and Rosemary Quirk |
students learned how state government works through a variety of opportunities including testifying for or against legislation before a legislative committee and debating legislation on the floor of the House and Senate. Additionally, the Valley Tech representative and alternates were welcomed by Supreme Court Justice, Ralph D. Gants, who introduced students to the workings of the Massachusetts Supreme Court. Richie Rice, in the robes of a Supreme Court Justice, assumed the part of a Justice and participated in a mock legislative hearing on gay marriage.
"It is a tremendous opportunity for our students to discover an enhanced appreciation for their civic duties and responsibilities," states Rosemary Quirk, Team Leader of English and Social Studies. "It provides students the chance to see first-hand how state government works and encourage them to become more active, engaged citizens by becoming involved with major policy issues both locally and nationally."
In addition to welcoming remarks provided by Deputy Education Commissioner Alan J. Ingram, students were greeted by Governor Deval Patrick, Lt. Governor Tim Murray, Secretary of Education, Matthew H. Malone, Senator Richard Moore from Uxbridge (Vice Chair, Joint Committee on Education) and a representative from the office of Republican House Leader George Peterson.
Student Government Day is a statutory program sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in cooperation with the Office of the Governor, the Executive Office of Education, the Office of the Speaker of the House, the Joint Committee on Education, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Senate Clerk's Office, the House Clerk's Office, the Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms and the Legislative Education Office.
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech works toward enhancing the economic, social, and historic strengths of the region by providing integrated academic and vocational technical skills, empowering students to achieve world-class educational excellence, diverse career opportunities and individual success in an ever-changing global society all in a safe learning environment.
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Valley Tech SkillsUSA Team Excels In Community Service
UPTON - The three team members of the 2013 Skills USA Community Service Team (Keep Immune Systems Strong), Lauren Melanson of Milford, Jim Connors of Uxbridge and Ella Dehastani of Millville, have spent countless hours working closely with several local non-profit organizations to promote the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
Working with the Seven Hills Foundation, an organization that helps those who are mentally challenged to gain real world skills and enhance their ability to communicate with others, the team teaches classes on hand washing, proper hygiene, healthy eating and keeping the body active. Team member Lauren Melanson, is a champion in taking the initiative to ensure her team spreads the message about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, especially for those members of the population that may not have access to this type of information. She and the team spend over 30 hours a week engaging with the members by transporting them to outings and participating in numerous events to ensure they continue to remain active.
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The SkillsUSA Community Service Team recently assisted with the Face2Face program conducted by Sheriff Lew Evangelidis from the Worcester County Sheriff's Office. Over 1,200 Valley Tech students participated in the demonstration about the potential impact of long term drug and alcohol abuse. His mission is to prevent future drug and alcohol abuse among youths in Worcester County. The team has continued to spend several hours a week communicating with other students on the significance of how their decisions today impact their lives in the future.
The team has also worked with the Worcester School, which supports under privileged inner city children, to collect care packages from local merchants, such as Cosmo, dental, electronics and health services which included personal care products and items for daily living. The team then presented the packages to the school and conducted a presentation about the value of personal hygiene, ways to stay healthy and about keeping the immune system strong.
Two other efforts accomplished by the team include a campaign to communicate the importance hydration is to a person's health as well as the ill-effects of caffeine. The team has taken its campaign to the Valley Tech student body by encouraging them to read food labels to ensure what they are drinking provides better nutrition options and keeps the body functioning at its best. They have also been instrumental in instituting that no drinks with caffeine be allowed on campus. The team remains diligent in its committed mission of promoting the benefits of healthy food and drink choices and the importance of proper hygiene habits.
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech works toward enhancing the economic, social, and historic strengths of the region by providing integrated academic and vocational technical skills, empowering students to achieve world-class educational excellence, diverse career opportunities, and individual success in an ever-changing global society all in a safe learning environment.
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Practical Nursing Program Accepting Applications, Holding Additional Teas Review Sessions And Teas Test Dates
UPTON - Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School's highly successful post-secondary Practical Nursing Program, a part-time evening nursing program, is accepting applications for the Practical Nursing class beginning August 2013. This program is designed for anyone interested in pursuing a rewarding career in nursing. This part time program is ideal for individuals who may need to continue to work, parent and /or provide care of other family members while attending a nursing program. Practical nurses are considered a high demand profession with a predicted job growth rate of 22%. The program has also added additional Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Review Sessions and TEAS Test Dates.
TEAS Review Sessions: In preparation for students taking the Practical Nursing Program TEAS Test, TEAS Review sessions will be offered at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. Session 1, which focuses on Mathematics, will be held on two consecutive Tuesdays: May 21 and May 28. Session 2, which focuses on Reading Comprehension and Test Taking Strategies, will be held on two consecutive Thursdays: May 23 and May 30. Both Review Sessions are from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. All participants must register and pay for sessions no later than May 20, 2013. Review Sessions are led by instructors with knowledge and experience in standardized test preparation.
TEAS Test Dates: The TEAS test is part of the admissions requirement for students to be accepted into Valley Tech's popular post-secondary Practical Nursing Program. The next scheduled TEAS Test Dates are May 2nd from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and June 1st from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Everyone taking the test MUST be in the Valley Tech building 30 minutes prior to the start of the exam time. All tests are computerized. To take the TEAS test, students must complete an application (which contains the TEAS test registration form) and pay the $100.00 application/TEAS registration fee. The forms can be downloaded from the website. All students must set up an account with ATItesting (instructions are on the application form).
Valley Tech's Practical Nursing Program is a 60-week part-time evening nursing program whose curriculum is designed to assist graduates in passing the challenging National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). Valley Tech's LPN program includes 1,090 hours of instruction including 945 hours of nursing courses and more than 540 hours of clinical practice instruction. The nursing program has Full Approval Status from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. The nursing program has been awarded Initial Accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, http://www.nlnac.org. The nursing program is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Public Schools Committee on Technical and Career Institutions.
"Since the program's inception in 2009, it continues to grow at a steady rate," states Kathleen S. Ashe, Practical Nursing Program Director. "We could not have such a successful program without the dedicated individuals who are committed to pursuing a career in nursing. The nursing program is especially proud of its graduates who achieved a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX exam, as well as the positive feedback from their employers. We are delighted for the opportunity to provide students with the skills they need for a rewarding career in healthcare."
For more information on how to sign up for a TEAS Review Session or to register for a TEAS Test Date, visit the website at www.valleytech.k12.ma.us/nursing/Nursing-HOME.html or contact the Practical Nursing Program office at 508.529.7758 Ext. 3122
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of rigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills.
Robotics Team At Valley Tech Piques Interest Of National Companies
UPTON - The Team 61 Robotics Team at Valley Tech placed an impressive second and received high marks for its innovative PTO system at the BAE Regional Tournament FIRST robotics competition held last weekend at the Verizon Center in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The team's PTO transmission, which refers to Power Transfer Option, operates the drive shaft of the robot. In May 2012, the team researched several options for creating its own version and decided it was most viable to have the students design and build one themselves. Once a concept was developed viable to produce, the Robotics Team worked with Drafting & Engineering Technology students to bring the idea to its final stage.
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| BVT Team 61 Robotics Team at BAE Regional Tournament |
What makes this particular PTO transmission unique is its ability to take power from four motors and transfer it to the arm drive to control the system. All components are encased with aluminum plates to form a gear box with two motors that support multiple shafts, a right PTO for the right drive train and a left PTO for the left drive train. Several robotics companies, including AndyMark.com, expressed extreme interest in purchasing the technology for exclusive distribution, which would provide national exposure for Valley Tech and its Robotics Team. The team is scheduled to compete again on May 17 and 18 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA.
"While exhibiting incredible teamwork, integrity and all around excellence, our second-place win was an all-school effort," stated Electronics/Engineering Department Team Leader Michael Norton. "Having our PTO transmission receive such attention, demonstrates the importance of integrating engineering into Valley Tech's curriculum. Thanks go out to everyone who contributed their time, talent and support in this success."
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech works toward enhancing the economic, social, and historic strengths of the region by providing integrated academic and vocational technical skills, empowering students to achieve world-class educational excellence, diverse career opportunities, and individual success in an ever-changing global society all in a safe learning environment.
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Valley Tech Congratulates Skillsusa District Medal Winners
UPTON - Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the 2013 SkillsUSA District V competition on March 13 at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton. Valley Tech exemplified complete representation in all categories, receiving a total of 62 medals including 14 Gold, 23 Silver and 25 Bronze. Next week, the school will be notified of the number of those students who qualify to compete in the SkillsUSA Massachusetts state championship event to be held on Friday, April 26 at both Blackstone Valley Tech and at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel/Conference Center in Marlborough, MA.
Valley Tech students swept the district competition in six events including Culinary Arts, Auto Tech for Diesel Equipment Technology, HVAC for Major Appliance Technology, Graphic & Multimedia Communication for Photography, Health Services for Practical Nursing and Drafting & Engineering Technology for Technical Drafting.
Valley Tech students who won medals at the District Conference were:
GOLD
Tyler Amour, Uxbridge - Automotive Refinishing Technology
Melissa Mason, Sutton - Cosmetology Under 500 hours
Christine Scharnagle, Mendon - Culinary Arts
Brittany Locklin, Hopedale - Customer Service
Connor Nepomuceno, Sutton - Diesel Equipment Technology
Gavin Humes, Upton - HVAC
Joseph Tomaino, Northbridge - Major Appliance Technology
Brett Yoder, Douglas - Mobile Robotics
Eric Peterson, Mendon - Mobile Robotics
Alexandra Bonin, Sutton - Photography
Jacqueline Hogue, Grafton - Power Equipment Technology
Joshua Martin, Grafton - Practical Nursing
Jason Driver, Upton - Precision Machining Technology
Jake Rivard, Northbridge - Technical Drafting
SILVER
Christopher Moran, Sutton - Automotive Service Technology
Mikaela Joyce, Northbridge - Basic Health Care Skills
Asa Army, Millbury - CNC Turning Technology
Strychlan Hayes, Milford - Collision Repair Technology
Anthony Young, Milford - Commercial Baking
Matthew Goldstein, Northbridge - Computer Maintenance Technology
Brianna Shea, Milford - Cosmetology Over 500 hours
Joshua Cederlund, Grafton - Culinary Arts
Mikayla Henault, Grafton - Customer Service
George Bolosky, Milford - Diesel Equipment Technology
Ian Kelly, Northbridge - Internetworking
Justin Iadarola, Uxbridge - Major Appliance Technology
Joshua DeNoncour, Millville - Mobile Robotics
Cody McPhail, Milford - Mobile Robotics
Kevin Farrell, Bellingham - Photography
Anthony Collari, Upton - Plumbing
Tina Laren, Douglas - Practical Nursing
Brittney Rovedo, Blackstone - Restaurant Service
Nicolette Haug, Bellingham - Technical Computer Applications
Jennifer Morin, Mendon - Technical Drafting
Tyler Swett, Northbridge - Web Design
Jonathan Capece, Uxbridge - Web Design
Andrew Desjardin, Uxbridge - Welding
BRONZE
Joseph Petrillo, Uxbridge - Advertising Design
Laurelyn Anderson, Uxbridge - Architectural Drafting
Tyler Bartlett, Upton - Carpentry
Owen Amour, Milford - Computer Maintenance Technology
Brittney Hall, Millville - Cosmetology Under 500 hours
David Lozeau, Uxbridge - Culinary Arts
Elizabeth Bouthillette, Millbury - Dental Assistant
Daniel Spencer, Bellingham - Diesel Equipment Technology
Parker Grant, Mendon - Electronics Technology
Trevor Boelke, Millville - Internetworking
Heather Demers, Uxbridge - Restaurant Service
Michael McGee, Millville - HVAC
Jacob Moon, Northbridge - Industrial Motor Control
Bruce Marchand, Uxbridge - Major Appliance Technology
Sarah Boisvert, Bellingham - Medical Terminology
Samantha Giffen, Bellingham - Photography
Matthew Bartlett, Upton - Power Equipment Technology
Heidi Belanger, Millbury - Practical Nursing
Jacob Westbury, Millbury - Team Works
Robert Holmes, Blackstone - Team Works
James Sullivan, Blackstone - Team Works
Ryder Hendriks, Northbridge - Team Works
Christopher Lannon, Sutton - Technical Drafting
Tyler Magri, Grafton - Welding
Kaitlyn Drew, Upton - Welding Sculpture
"We are extremely proud of all our medal winners, said Rebecca Corda with Fran Petty and Stan Stachura, Valley Tech SkillsUSA Advisors. "All the students who competed should feel a sense of accomplishment and a great deal of enthusiasm. The students prepared at length for this competition and feel very appreciative of the additional time and effort the instructors provided in helping them hone their skills in order to achieve these medals."
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech works toward enhancing the economic, social, and historic strengths of the region by providing integrated academic and vocational technical skills, empowering students to achieve world-class educational excellence, diverse career opportunities, and individual success in an ever-changing global society all in a safe learning environment.
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Valley Tech Recognized As College Board AP Honor Roll District
UPTON - At a recent luncheon sponsored by 2013 New England Regional Forum at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel on January 29, 2013, Valley Tech was recognized for its outstanding achievement as an AP Honor Roll District for 2012.
Valley Tech was selected as one of the 539 school districts across 44 of 50 states in the U. S. and six Canadian provinces to be recognized by the College Board with placement on the 3rd Annual AP District Honor Roll for simultaneously increasing access to Advanced Placement course work while increasing the percentage of students earning scores of three or higher on AP Exams. Achieving both of these goals is ideal for a district's AP program because it indicates that it is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are likely to benefit most from rigorous AP course work. The state of Massachusetts was represented by the largest number of AP Honor Roll districts, with 46. Valley Tech was the only vocational school to be selected in the state.
"This is a tremendous achievement. We are thoroughly proud of our educators and students in exceeding such high expectations," states Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick, Superintendent-Director. "We strive to provide a challenging and sophisticated curriculum. At Valley Tech, our goal is to continuously achieve new benchmarks and accomplishment to stay at the forefront of the ever-changing education environment. "
Inclusion on the 3rd Annual AP District Honor Roll is based on the examination of three years of AP data, from 2010 to 2012 based on the following criteria for each District: 1) Increase participation/access to AP by at least 4% in large districts, at least 6 percent in medium districts and at least 11 percent in small districts; 2) Ensure that the percentage of African American, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian/
Alaska Native students taking AP Exams did not decrease by more than 5%; and 3) Improve performance levels when comparing the percentage of students in 2012.
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech works toward enhancing the economic, social, and historic strengths of the region by providing integrated academic and vocational technical skills, empowering students to achieve world-class educational excellence, diverse career opportunities, and individual success in an ever-changing global society all in a safe learning environment.
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