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.

Fall 2013 Graduation

25 Students graduated on December 18, 2013.

Perfect Attendance Fall Trimester 2013

Seated: (L-R) Matt Matheny, Jacob Cunningham, Mike Brewer
Standing: (L-R) Greg Eaton, Joseph Hall, Daniel Hendrix and Ronald Ferguson

Seven students earned Perfect Attendance for Fall Trimester 2013.

TCAT-McKenzie hosted American Welding Society

TCAT-McKenzie hosted Student Day for the American Welding Society, West TN , Section 106, on November 15.

Welding contests were held throughout the day. About 80 students, from 5 area technical schools, competed against one another in various levels of skill including, T-Joint and GMAW-Uphill LAP (gas, metal, arc welding).

TCAT-McKenzie third trimester GMAW-Uphill LAP Winners:

               1.       Dylan Murphree

2.       Jon Austin

TCAT-McKenzie first/second trimester T-Joint Winners:

               1.       Colton Curlin

2.       Nathan Bland

3.       John Edwards

4.    Brent Klinzing

 

TCAT-McKenzie Winners: John Edwards, Nathan Bland, Colton Curlin, Jon Austin, Dylan Murphee

GMAW-Uphill LAP Winners: Jon Austin and Dylan Murphee

T-Joint Winners: John Edwards, Colton Curlin and Nathan Bland

TCAT-McKenzie has Food Drive

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McKenzie had a successful food drive on November 8, 2013.  Each class competes to collect as many food items (over 8 oz.) as possible.  The winning class is figured on a percentage of cans donated per the number of student enrolled in the program.  This gives the smaller classes an equal chance of winning as well as the larger ones.

Business Systems Technology (BST) won the bragging rights this year with a total of 1,313 food items collected.  They collected 65.65 food items per student. The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Class came in second place collecting a total of 1,080 cans or 51.43 cans per student.

The TCAT-McKenzie student body collected 3,858 food items or 29.23 items per student enrolled.  We surpassed last year’s total by over 300 food items.  We are proud of the students’ willingness to give their time and money to help their community.  All collected food items will be donated to the McKenzie United Neighbors.

HVAC/R Class won 2nd place with 1,080 cans or 51.43 cans per student

1st Place Winners: BST collected 1,313 cans or 65.65 per student

Student Senate