Spring 2014 Graduation

20 Students walked the line for Graduation at TCAT-McKenzie

Perfect Attendance Spring 2014

Perfect Attendance earned for Spring Trimester 2014:

Front Row: Daniel Vancil-HVAC, Linda Thomas-AOT, Matt Matheny-HVAC
Back Row: Joseph Hall-Auto, Jeff Shavers-Industrial Maint, Greg Eaton-Auto, Austin Iverson-Auto

Not Pictured: Davlon Gray-AOT, Cole Lessenberry-HVAC and Ronald Ferguson-Machine Tool

Skills USA 2014

TCAT-McKenzie sent 12 competitors to the State SkillsUSA competition this year.  Eight came home with a medal.
Gold Medalist:
Zach Price: Computer Maintenance Technology

Richard Black, Matt Matheny and Cody Thomas-Community Service

Silver Medalists:
Hunter Hill-Electronics Technology
Cole Lessenberry-HVAC

Bronze Medalists:
Jonathan Cozart-Telecommunications Cabling
Zach Crider-Precision Machining Technology 

 

 

Green Electronic students install Solar Panels

Welding Sculpture auctioned at Habitat for Humanity Gala

John Edwards, Welding student at TCAT-Mckenzie created this beautiful welding sculpture, "Forever Roses".  He along with his Welding Instructor, Jimmy Kee, donated it to the Carroll County Habitat for Humanity to be auctioned off at the Gala held last week.

Jerome Leath-Outstanding Student of the Year

TCAT MCKENZIE SELECTS OUTSTANDING STUDENT OF THE YEAR

The Outstand Student of the Year program is a statewide program developed to select a student from the TN Colleges of Applied Technology to serve as an ambassador for technical education in Tennessee.  The program includes extensive nomination, application and interview processes at the local, regional and state levels to determine the state wide winner.  During the selection process each student is required to deliver a speech to the selection committee on the impact of technical education in the student’s life.

This year’s Outstanding Student of the Year for TCAT in McKenzie is Jerome Leath.  Mr. Leath, a student in Electronics Based Green Technology program, is from Union City, TN and a former Goodyear employee.  When being nominated for Outstanding Student of the Year, the committee members look for exceptional grades, character, attitude, leadership, career goals, attendance, personal goals and enthusiasm.  Mr. Leath exemplifies all these qualities.

  TCAT-McKenzie is extremely proud to have Jerome Leath as its representative for Outstanding Student of the Year and wish him good look at the regional level.

Skills USA Representatives meet with McKenzie Mayor

Terry Wilson-HVAC Instructor, Cole Lessenberry-HVAC Student, Jill Holland-McKenzie Mayor and Zach Price-IT Assistant

TN College of Applied Technology Skills USA representatives met with Mayor Jill Holland to discuss the “Drive for 55” for post-secondary education.  Currently, about 32% of adults have some type of degree in the state of TN, putting TN at 43^rd in the nation.  The governor would like to see that number increased to 55% by the year 2025.

Mayor Holland met with Terry Wilson, HVAC/Refrigeration Instructor and SkillsUSA advisor, along with Cole Lessenberry, TCAT-McKenzie student and Skills representative and Zach Price, IT Assistant at TCAT-McKenzie and Skills representative, to discuss ways to help obtain the 55%.  One of the ideas discussed was to have TCATs visit local high schools to let prospective students know about the programs TCATs have to offer and the high job placement numbers.  Starting technical classes at a high school level to help students get a jump on their technical background was also discussed.

Mayor Holland had put together a packet to let prospective companies who may be considering moving into the area know what McKenzie has to offer.  TCAT-McKenzie was included in the packet, but Mayor Holland wanted more detailed information concerning the training programs, such as the students’ certifications and the skills students have obtained upon completion of the programs.  She wants to let businesses and industries know that because of the training TCATs offer, we have skilled workers within the community, as well as surrounding communities.

Mayor Holland also wanted more information on SkillsUSA.  Mr. Wilson explained how SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industries working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.  Mr. Wilson explained about the various competitions and how TCAT students consistently placed high at both the state and national levels.  Winners of SkillsUSA competitions are considered the best of the best and could possibly make the student more marketable for job opportunities.  The leadership side pushes the student to become more aware of their community and how to speak with political officials about current events in the community, providing the student with the opportunity to take on a leadership role within the community and make him/her and their environment better for the future.

There was also a discussion about city officials and TCATs meeting on a quarterly basis so that each can be aware of what industries may be coming to the community.  This will help TCATs know what type of training the school may be able to offer in order to meet with training needs, as well as keeping everyone on the same page to keep the students prepared for job opportunities.