Robot Wars a Huge Success

The Tennessee Technology Center at McKenzie hosted the sixth annual Robot Wars on Friday February 19 at the center on Highland Drive.

Students from the Bio-Medical Technology and Green Electronics classes competed against students from the Technology Center at Newbern. The competition was judged by longtime electronics instructor Tom Lewis.

The contest involved two events- the first was the line follower speed event for the robots to follow around and oblong track. The robots were judged on time and accuracy. The second event was the Sumo Robot competition. This was a round robin style format where the robots tried to push their opponent off the oval track.

In the line follower category, Cody McGowan of TTC Newbern won first in total time and also Smallest design; Clint Fesmire (Green Technology) won Biggest design, Steve Crawford (Green Technology) won Best Design; Robert Forbus (Green Technology) won Most Creative with his Cadillac tractor design.

Green Technology Class

The Green Technology class here at the Technology Center has just completed wiring on the new Henry County Fair Commercial Building. The class, under the direction of Instructor Bruce Moore, spent over 200 man hours working on the project with help from Fair Board Representative Joe Snow.

Plumbing Class Works on Habitat House

The Plumbing class at the Tennessee Technology Center at McKenzie has just completed work on plumbing for the tenth Habitat for Humanity House in Henry County. The class, under the direction of Instructor Darrel Roland, spent over 100 man hours working on the project with help from Habitat volunteer Joe Snow. “These 12 students enjoyed the opportunity to apply the trade they are learning at the same time being able to give back to such a worthwhile cause” said Roland. The Plumbing class is sponsored through a grant from the Workforce Investment Act (WIA 11) that is retraining dislocated and underemployed workers in Northwest Tennessee.

Automotive Class Gets New Lift

The Automotive Program is very proud of there brand new Hunter vehicle lift. The new lift allows the students to better utilize shop space.

Fall Awards Day

The Fall Trimester at the Tennessee Technology Center at McKenzie ended with Awards Day on December 16th. The ceremony, organized and sponsored by the campus-wide Student Senate, was held at the McKenzie Cumberland Presbyterian Church and led by the Center’s director Dr. Brad White.

A total of 61 students received there diplomas or final certificates and numerous others were recognized for completing certificate levels during the fall 2009 Trimester. Also recognized during the ceremony were students who were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society, and students who attained Perfect Attendance.

The students who completed requirements for graduation are: Automotive Technology- James Madison, Josh Pierce, Brandon Schultek, John Lee; Bio-Medical- David Critchlow, Charles Norsworthy; Business Systems McKenzie- Deborah Williamson, Cinda Hampton, Brandi Ownby; Business Systems Martin- Josh Howard, Brandi King, Jennifer Lane, Kayla Little, Brittany Gatewood, Dante Brock, Angela Hoy, Orva Marie Shanklin; Computer Information- Michael Cook, James Patton, Candace Whitt; Electronics- Lucy Snead, Matthew Webb; HVAC/Refrigeration- Randy Willis, Jason Bowden, Timothy Sanders, Laron Wiles; Industrial Maintenance McKenzie- Thomas May, Josh Baker, Jimmie Moore, Jonathan Moyers, Michael Andrews; Industrial Maintenance Martin- Troy Rutkowski, Jerry Galey; Machine Tool- Kaleb McMinn, Hunter Gurley, David Rose; Practical Nursing- Nickolas Allen, Belinda Ballard, Wendy Bowlin, Retha Burns, Deborah Caceres, Leslie Carter, Lora Cooper, Lisa Green, Crystal Grezeszak, Rose Hopkins, Angela Lane, Melody Mort, Sherry Norwood, Mary Poteete, Jennifer Price, Sandra Prince, Denise Reynolds, Christie Sexton, Tamika Tolley; Welding- Andrew Brundige, Jonathan Oliver, Samuel Robertson, Nicholas Todd, Kenny Bradford, Gary Hutchison.

Sixteen students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Honor Society inductees include David McIntosh, Melissa Franks, Leisa Gilbert, Petrina Mansfield, Karen Petty, Paula Todd, Brian Bates, Michael Andrews, Leslie Carter, Lisa Green, Melody Mort, Lora Cooper, Rose Hopkins, Mary Poteete, Jere Glenn, and William Noles.

Twenty Eight students were recognized for achieving perfect attendance during the Summer Trimester. Those receiving Perfect Attendance certificates were Brent Gordon, Thomas Belew, Ann McClerkin, Jane Dublin, Alta Tate, Candace Whitt, William Pennington, William Rimmer, John McKinney, Matthew Chapman, Jerry Galey, Rose Pettie, Mark Reed, Jimmie Moore, Bruce Moore, Robert Ridings, Tamika Tolley, Wendy Bowlin, Rose Hopkins, Laken Craddock, Deborah Caceres, Sandra Prince, Angela Lane, Chris Caire, Roy Alsup, David Morgan, Jere Glenn, and William Noles.

BAJA RACE

We want to wish the WEST TN BAJA TEAM well in the upcoming race. You can follow the race on the web at www.racetheworld.net entry #107 Robert Lemaster. GOOD LUCK TEAM!!!!!!

Outstanding Student of the Year

The Tennessee Technology Center at McKenzie presents Mr. Steve Crawford with the 2009 Outstanding Student of the Year Award. Mr. Crawford is a Green Electronics student from Paris, TN whom has been in the program for over a year and holds many qualities of a Student of the Year. He was also named State and National Skills USA Alternative Energy winner in the summer of 2009. A cash prize and trip to Nashville were given to Mr. Crawford for his accomplishments on the local level. Mr. Crawford will now go on to represent TTC McKenzie at the Regional Competition in Jackson, TN in January. The winner of the Regional Competition will move on to the Statewide Competition where the winner will be awarded a new automobile and will represent all 27 Tennessee Technology Centers as the Outstanding Student Ambassador for Technical Education.