Dezarae Caron, the owner of Nail Junkie, recently provided an engaging workshop for Tech 2 Cosmetology students. During this interactive session, she demonstrated various nail art techniques, including the creation of stunning designs, the application of flash polish, and the cat eye effect. Additionally, students learned the essential skills for effectively using gel products. This hands-on experience has greatly enriched the students' understanding of modern nail care practices. Thank you, Ms. Caron for sharing your knowledge with our Cosmetology students!
Our Electricity program continues to brighten up our Culinary Arts dining room by replacing lighting that was not energy-efficient and outdated! Our new LED lights will provide better lighting and save our district money! Thank you, Mr. Clark & our Tech II electricity students!
Rotary's recent luncheon was expertly prepared and presented by seniors Sebastian M. and Aiden M as part of their Senior Menu Project. Throughout the remainder of the year, our Tech II student partners will collaborate once a month to create, cook, and serve a menu of their choice to our weekly Rotarians. This week’s menu was inspired by the vibrant flavors of Cuban cuisine. Sebastian and Aiden curated a delightful selection that included a soup, salad, two main entrees, two sides, and a dessert. They diligently searched for recipes, designed the menu, identified the necessary ingredients to be ordered through our provider, Sysco, and assigned kitchen responsibilities to their peers. As an added touch, the chefs were permitted to invite two guests to join them in tasting their culinary creations as they took center stage in serving our esteemed guests. Both students truly shined, showcasing their skills and culinary knowledge while presenting this exquisite menu. The Rotarians left with rave reviews! Stay tuned for the upcoming months to see what exciting offerings the next groups will bring to the table.
Heavy Equipment Operation (HEO) Students Complete Unit on Portable Fire Extinguishers
The Heavy Equipment Operation (HEO) students have successfully concluded a comprehensive unit on portable fire extinguishers. Tech 1 focused on Class A fires, which involve ordinary combustibles, while Tech 2 concentrated on Class B fires, specifically those involving flammable liquids. This experience provided the students with essential knowledge and skills for fire safety management for things they will encounter in their trade. How fortunate that our HEO teacher, Mr. Henry, is also a retired firefighter!
The Business program recently had a project where the students had to create a Holiday Pop-Up product for their shop to sell at a fictional market. This was an entrepreneurial lesson that the students needed to figure out how to make a unique product, advertise using social media, find their target market, and use the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) method to ensure they would have a quality and sought-after product. The students did a wonderful job; it was a great experience to get them thinking like entrepreneurs.
Guest Speaker Visit: We were thrilled to welcome Connor Boucher, a former Culinary Arts student, as a guest speaker in our Culinary Arts Tech II class! Connor is currently pursuing his studies at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York. We are incredibly proud of Connor and grateful for the time he dedicated to sharing his culinary journey and future aspirations with our students. His insights and experiences truly inspired everyone in attendance!
Today's Festive Meal, expertly planned, prepared, and catered by our Culinary Arts program, was a remarkable occasion that united our entire student and staff community at WRVC. The food was not only impressive but also exceptionally delicious. We invite you to view the photos that include the menu. This event provided a wonderful opportunity to enjoy each other's company while indulging in a culinary extravaganza. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chef Hernandez and the Culinary Arts students for their dedication in making this day so special. A special thank you also goes to our servers and volunteers—Dr. Lancia, Dr. O'Donnell, Dr. Mazjanis, Mrs. Russell, Gan-Gan, Bernadette, Lindsay, and the many WRVC staff members—who generously donated their time to ensure the event's success.
WRVC's Fire Fighting students got a 95' lift from Portland Fire Department's Ladder 6 today... Big thanks to PFD for giving our students this experience! It was cool and breezy way up there at the top!
Today, the Heavy Equipment Operation (HEO) class was actively engaged in hands-on learning! Students focused on inspecting various types of heavy equipment and utilizing it to efficiently relocate dirt and stone across the range. Additionally, they practiced their fine motor skills by delicately stacking small metal nuts using a tiny metal stick on the excavator's bucket. This exercise not only enhances their precision but also prepares them for future challenges in operating heavy machinery. The students honed their skills and embraced the complexities of operating the heavy equipment!
The Early Childhood Occupations Education (ECOE) program had an exceptional day exploring two remarkable college campuses: the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) and Central Maine Community College (CMCC). The students were thoroughly impressed by the diverse education major pathways and the vibrant school life opportunities that both institutions offer. A highlight of the day was attending a PSY 225 class with Dr. Jamison, which provided valuable insights into in-person college learning.
Our concurrent enrollment agreements with UMF and CMCC empower students to earn college credits while participating in the ECOE program, making this experience even more special. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to UMF, CMCC, Mrs. Bruns, and Mrs. Linscott for facilitating this enriching day for our students. A huge thank you to our WSD bus driver and Transportation Dept.! ECOE students, your enthusiasm and engagement today were outstanding, and you made us incredibly proud!
The Electricity students have been working off-site to excavate a lengthy trench for underground utility wires as part of our Rotary House project. Mr. Mike Corey, the code enforcer, arrived to inspect the electrical trench and interacted with our students. This proved to be an excellent experience for our aspiring electricians.
Students in the Computer Systems and Networking class are finishing their custom builds and trying to get the most out of their RGB lighting (while dealing with Corsair's crazy iCUE software).
Gorham first-year student Royce G. is busy with "Tars," our huge, custom-built, liquid-cooled (no AIO here!) beast, while second-year Windham High School tech Ryland L.-K is adding that perfect mixture of red, green, and blue to a very sweet Corsair 3000d build.
Thanks to the support of the WRVC Car Show attendees, the MELMAC Foundation, and the Westbrook School Committee, the Automotive Technology students had the invaluable opportunity to participate in the SEMA Student Program this week and engage in meaningful networking opportunities with industry professionals, college representatives, and potential career paths. This experience has opened up new possibilities and inspired the next generation of automotive professionals. We are deeply appreciative of our community’s commitment to supporting education and career growth for our students. Thank you for making this incredible opportunity a reality! We also want to thank Mr. Hiltz and Mrs. O'Toole for all they did to make this trip happen for our students.
What an AWESOME afternoon and evening of Family-School Conferences!!! Thank you to all of the parents/guardians and students who attended. We appreciate you working together with our staff to build a strong bridge of communication for student success. May you all have a wonderful evening!
A heartfelt thank you to Anniela at the University of Nevada Las Vegas for giving the WRVC Automotive students an unforgettable tour of UNLV! Your energy, enthusiasm, and school pride truly made the experience memorable. The students left inspired and excited about the opportunities ahead, and it wouldn’t have been the same without your guidance.
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We’d also like to express our gratitude to MELMAC for making this experience possible. Your support is invaluable, and we are so grateful for your continued commitment to education and student growth. Thank you for making this a day to remember!
WRVC CJ students received a visit from Westbrook Police Department’s “Community Policing Coordinator,” Megan Perry. Ms. Perry gave a thorough presentation explaining the importance of community policing in today’s society. Students learned about the importance of creating a safe and open dialogue between law enforcement and the communities they serve. We appreciate Westbrook PD and Ms. Perry for taking the time to deliver such a needed and important aspect of policing. It should also be noted that Ms. Perry is a pivotal part of the Giving Tree project, which is a student-led community outreach. CJ Students collect new toys, clothing, and other essential items during the holiday months to help families in need. Ms. Perry does an amazing job of identifying those families in our communities who could use a little extra help during the holidays. She creates a shopping experience for those families at no cost to them and helps put many smiles on the faces of children in our local communities. Thank you, Megan Perry and Westbrook PD!
In the field of firefighting, a "Class A practice burn" denotes a controlled fire utilized for training that focuses on burning common solid combustibles such as wood or paper, which are typical household materials. Conversely, a "Class B practice burn" deals with flammable liquids, including gasoline or oil, necessitating different extinguishing methods because of the unique characteristics of these fuels. Our firefighting students have been practicing putting out both Class A and B fires.
The students have also been learning about the importance of protecting their lungs by wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), especially when toxic chemicals are involved. The students were very cautious and safe during these burns, especially when working with diesel fuel.
A huge thank you to SpaTech for inviting the WRVC Cosmetology program to tour and engage in a wonderful informational session about their educational programs. Thank you also to MELMAC for supporting this experience for our students. There were many great questions asked and answered, and our students walked away with a better understanding of how to reach their goals after high school.
Thank you to Throttle Club for inviting WRVC to the NAPA Product and Equipment Show. Mr. Waldren, Mr. Hiltz, and Mrs. O’Toole had a wonderful time connecting with local businesses that help support our programs.
Sergeant First Class Erickson and Staff Sergeant Thomas from the National Guard visited the criminal justice program to discuss career opportunities and pathways that the National Guard and criminal justice fields can offer. They will be visiting the program weekly to lead physical training activities, drills, and ceremony practice. We are grateful for their support and partnership, which provides valuable insights and experiences for our criminal justice students.
