Outstanding Career Center Alumni recognized

Tri-Rivers Outstanding Career Center Alumni was recognized during a dinner, Wednesday, March 16.

The Tri-Rivers Outstanding  Alumni awards recognize Career Center and Adult Center graduates who have contributed to their communities, are outstanding in their career fields and/or have furthered their educations. These individuals are Tri-Rivers success stories. They are exemplary in their career, community and character.  The Career Center recipient was Matthew Smith.


Matthew P. Smith
graduate of Culinary Arts 2001, was introduced by his former instructor, Chef Sheila Hamm.

Matt  is doing what he does best—he’s working as an Executive Sous Chef for the Hyatt in Savannah Georgia. That’s why Matt Smith, who graduated from my program in 2001, can’t be with us tonight. He’s preparing for St. Patrick’s Day Festivities, which are huge in that area.

“However, I do have a picture of him and he is well  represented by a group of family and friends.”  Representing Smith was his wife, Jessi and their son Korgan; his parents Jean and Jim Obenour; as well as his Aunt Judy, cousin Tracey and Great Aunt Sid.

When Matt came into my class he had a dream. After having worked for about a year at Michaels Steak House as a cook, he wanted to become a real chef. When I watched  Matt, I knew that could  happen if he worked hard.  Sometimes I had to push him a little, but I knew he could do it.

As he started learning hands-on skills and getting more involved in FCCLA activities, I watched Matt change from an uncertain and troubled youth into a young man with confidence and hope.

In Matt I saw tremendous potential and skills. I knew for him to achieve his goals, he needed to go to college. He was developing excellent skills in the kitchen, but he needed to take it to another level.

When Matt graduated from Culinary Arts, he continued his education in the Hocking College Culinary Arts Program. He then became an apprentice chef at the Hyatt on Capitol Square in Columbus.  Eventually he became an executive sous chef there.  His work has earned him many awards, including Manager of the year 2009, Supervisor of the quarter 2005, Manager of the quarter 2008, Silver Spoon Award 2007, National Breakfast Potato competition aka “Top Spud” 2nd place award…his list of accomplishments go on and on.

While in the Columbus Area Matt was also active in promoting the Restaurants of Columbus and employees for the industry. Recently he and his talents made the move to Savannah, Georgia where he continues to be an executive sous chef for the beautiful Hyatt Hotel there. He can now share his gifts with that lucky city.

Matt’s mom, Jean, has said that Matt inspired his brother and sister who are both now in college. Matt has also inspired Culinary Arts students here at Tri-Rivers.  He is an excellent role model for my current students. He tells them, they can go places, too, if they learn from their mistakes, develop a good work ethic, and care about the product they serve.

Matt learned those lessons well and today he teaches others. When I think of a Tri-Rivers success story, I think of Matt.  I know he will continue to be a lifelong learner. Matt can be proud of himself for all he has accomplished. I know I am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The evening also recognized the Outstanding Adult Education Alumni and recipients of the Tri-Rivers/Lautenslager Distinguished Service Awards. To view more photos Click Here.

Tri-Rivers honors Distinguished Service

The 2011 Tri-Rivers/Lautenslager Recipients were honored during a dinner Wednesday, March 16.

The first Distinguished Service Award was presented in 1993 to Jack Lautenslager, who is often referred to as “Mr. Tri-Rivers.”
Mr. Lautenslager spearheaded the efforts to pass the original levy that provided the funds to build the Career Center that opened in 1976, according the Superintendent Charles Speelman.

 

Lautenslager continued to share his expertise and talents with Tri-Rivers his entire life. Today the Distinguished Service awards are presented in his memory to individuals or groups who donate their time, resources, and talents in order to make Tri-Rivers Career Center and Center For Adult Education successful.

2011 recipients are:

• Henry Lumber, represented  by Mike Henry, was recognized for their generosity to Tri-Rivers over the years, including donating the lumber that Construction Technologies students to use to build the racks for the WMRN Coats For Christmas  held annually at the Career Center. “This act of kindness year after year, provides our students with an opportunity to practice their skills and to be part of a significant community event, said Steve Lawrence, instructor for Construction Technologies. “It also allows us to display the coats so recipients can easily search for that perfect coat.”

Lawrence said Henry Lumber has also provided donations to our programs. “In an effort to help young people learn the necessary skills for their trade and to reward them for their successes along the way, Henry Lumber has provided donations to our programs throughout the years.”

Henry Lumber has been part of this area for over 50  years. It is a locally owned family business that sells residential and commercial building products. Tri-Rivers salutes Henry Lumber for their tradition of quality products and services and for their distinguished community service to TRCC and the area.

• Dr. Mark Davis has been a friend of Tri-Rivers for many  years—sharing his expertise as an instructor for our Adult Education Public Safety Services programs, serving on advisory committees and providing expertise to our staff, said Sandy Redd, School Nurse. “He is also an alumni of our Paramedic Program. In the past we have had students do their clinicals in his office.”

Dr. Davis, who has a family practice, has for many years assisted schools with sports physicals, which benefits all the area students involved in sports, including our students at Tri-Rivers.

“Dr. Davis is the kind of doctor that nurses love to work with because he listens to them and respects their input,” said Redd. “He truly cares about what is best for the patient.”

He is a volunteer firefighter/EMT. Dr. Davis has distinguished himself by his caring nature and dedication to the community.

• Judy Falk, RN, Clinical Director of the Marion Area Health Center, has been a vital link to the job shadow experience for Tri-Rivers Health Technologies program, said Laurie Wise, the program’s instructor. “This two-year program for students interested in a career in healthcare and patient care skills combines lecture, student centered learning activities and lab.”

Wise said a great motivator for students is the knowledge that in the senior year of the program, they actually can earn the opportunity to put their knowledge and skills to practice in the clinical area. “The job shadow experience in not only important as a motivator but also an opportunity for students to be exposed to professional role models,” said Wise.

Falk, a registered nurse for 36 years, is a strong patient advocate and her philosophy is treating every patient as if they were family. This caring and compassion for the profession shows in her interactions with the students, said Wise. “She is a positive role model and  welcoming face as they embark on the job shadow experience.”

• Deb Schmidt of PNC Bank has been instrumental in the success of Tri-Rivers Career Technical Student Organization’s largest fundraiser—Kiddie Korner, located in PNC Bank’s drive-thru during the Marion Popcorn Festival. “With her help in 25 years I estimate we have grossed around $100,000. With each game costing twenty-five cents to play, that’s a lot of quarters,” said Obra Horn, Welding Instructor and one of the coordinators for Kiddie Korner.

“Deb has been very instrumental in our success over the years. She has always made sure the drive thru was power washed before we get there to set up. She has always checked in on us throughout the event. Anytime we needed anything, she is always there to assist” said Horn.

It all began 25 years ago when Eldon Phillips came to us with a proposal to purchase some kids games and use them to raise funds for our students at the then National City Bank-now PNC. We are so thankful they have allowed us to use their drive-thru for Kiddie Korner for so many years. Profits from this fundraiser have sent students to leadership camps and competitions.

 

Mrs. Duis a facebook winner!

Mrs. Duis won an anniversary mug with candy for having a friend or family member “Like” Tri-Rivers’ official facebook page and then post her name. You can win, too!!

The contest  continues!!! Our goal is 1,000 facebook fans!! Anyone can win! All you have to do is ‘Like” Tri-Rivers facebook page and then ask family and friends to “Like”the  page, too,  then have them post your name and you win a mug. If you have the most monthly posts you can win a basket of goodies like Eric Glosser and Miranda 

Smith did. Post counts will be the last day of each month for the basket.

Let’s do it!!! Anyone can participate—students, staff, community members. If you are already a Tri-Rivers Facebook fan, just ask others to become fans and post your name and program if you are a student. If you aren’t a fan, yet, go to http://www.facebook.com/tririverscareercenter and “Like” the site and then ask others to do the same and post your name!!!  Your name  has to be posted by a new facebook fan to win!! We can do it!!! Let’s Go. Let’s Go! L-E-T-S, G-O!!

Tri-Rivers Preschoolers awesome artists

Picasso? Monet? Van Gogh? No, Tri-Rivers Preschoolers!! Budding artists? Absolutely! A recent auction featured our preschoolers precious pieces that they worked very hard to create.
Funds raised from the auction will help buy supplies for the preschool classrooms. What talented youngsters!

Tri-Rivers Early Childhood Learning Center is for Preschool age children  3 to 5 year old.
The program helps prepare kids for Kindergarten. It offers a Discovery Room with opportunities to explore science, math, and sensory experiences, as well as a Literacy Room with reading, writing and story telling.

 

Preschool Age Children—3 to 5 years old
Full-time Enrollment—$115/week
Hours: 6:30am-5:30pm
For more information contact Director Kattie Harmon at 740-389-4681, Ext. 301

 

For more information or registration call
Director Kattie Harmon, 740-389-4681, Ext. 301

Tri-Rivers hosts FCCLA Regional Contest

Tri-Rivers hosted the 2011 Regional Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)  Contest Saturday, March 5. Congratulations to all FCCLA members who competed.
Tri-Rivers was a flurry of activity throughout the entire building. During the event as photos appeared on Tri-Rivers facebook @ www.facebook.com/tririverscareercenter, several alumni posted talking about when they competed and wishing the students success.
All the students from the area did an excellent job! The results from Tri-Rivers students competing included:
•Silver rating In Illustrated Talk—
Justin Schreck, Early Childhood Education 2
•Silver rating in Chapter Service Display—Eva Schroder, Early Childhood Education 1
• Silver rating in Applied Technology —Megan Lucas and Sarah Campbell, Early Childhood Education 2
• Silver rating in Culinary Team—Danielle Oliver, Sarah Shipman, and Daniel Huntt – Culinary 2
• Silver rating in Culinary Team—Ceslie Eblin, Eric Glosser, Alex Greene and JD Jones, Culinary 1
• Gold rating in Language and Literacy—Kelly Brough, Early Childhood Education 1
• Gold rating in Focus on Children—Jonikka Shephard, Early Childhood Education 2
• Gold rating in Focus on Children—Courtney Axier, Abbie Dunn and Paige Jessie, Early Childhood Education 1

Congratulations to students qualifying to move on to the State FCCLA Contest in April:
• Applied Technology – Megan Lucas and Sarah Campbell
• Culinary Team – Ceslie Eblin, Eric Glosser, Alex Greene and JD Jones
• Focus on Children – Courtney Axier, Abbie Dunn and Paige Jessie

Good Job to our FCCLA competitors!!
“Also a big thank you to all staff and students that came in and helped with this event, we couldn’t have done it without you,” said Chef Sheila Hamm, Culinary Arts Instructor/coordinator of the event.

 

Tri-Rivers participates in MTC Vex Robotics

“We had more than 140 participants and fans at the first Marion Technical College Vex Robotics Qualifier on Friday, March 4 in the Alber Center,” said Ritch Ramey, College Tech Prep Engineering Technology instructor for Tri-Rivers. The event was sponsored by MTC and the Northwest Ohio STEM grant provided by Honda of America.

Ramey said, 14 teams—from Tri-Rivers, River Valley, Harding, Upper Sandusky, Toledo and Cleveland schools— competed.  “TRCC finished third and two RV teams and one team from Upper Sandusky finished in the best scoring teams as well. A River Valley team won the competition.”
By having the contest at MTC we were able to promote the need for Technical Education in our community for National Engineers Week, explained Ramey. Ramey thanked judges, sponsors and contributors.

The Tri-Rivers team members that will represent TRCC at the SkillsUSA State Vex Mobile robotics are: CJ
Schneider, Isaac Rife and Isaac Dewiel.
Ramey said, “Moving the contest to MTC allowed us to attract a larger group of participants and parents. Next year I expect the event to grow even more. Students from other area schools who attended  plan to compete next year.”

 

Facebook contest continues

Eric Glosser of Culinary Arts was the first winner of  a basket of goodies during our Facebook Contest. Eric had the most people find Tri-Rivers on facebook and “Like” the page, then post his name. Several others won anniversary mugs with candy for having a friend or family member “Like” Tri-Rivers’ official facebook page and then post their name. You can win, too!!!
The contest  continues!!! Our goal is 1,000 fans!! Ask family and friends to “Like” our page and post your name and win an Anniversary mug. Have the most new fans post your name and you can win a basket of goodies like Eric Glosser did. At the end of the month the person with the most posts will get a basket and those with a post or more will win mugs!!!
Let’s do it!!! Anyone can participate—students, staff, community members. If you are already a Tri-Rivers Facebook fan, just ask others to become fans and post your name and program if you are a student. If you aren’t a fan, yet, go to http://www.facebook.com/tririverscareercenter and “Like” the site and then ask others to do the same and post your name!!!  Your name  has to be posted by a new facebook fan to win!! We can do it!!! Let’s Go. Let’s Go! L-E-T-S, G-O!!

 

 

 

School Closings & Delays

When the weather gets, cold, snowy and icy, or flooding, please make sure to check our website for any announcement on school delays or closings. You can also get updates on facebook. Complete list of school closing in the area:

Area school closing are at the link below.

 

1st in the State!

Tri-Rivers Center for Adult Education’s School of Nursing LPN to RN Program  fulfills all  the requirements of the State of Ohio Board of Nursing.

 

The Center meets all the rules specified in Chapter 4723-5 Ohio Administrative Code  The Center provides a nursing education program leading to licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse.”

 

The classroom instructors have master’s degrees. The teaching assistants and clinical instructors have BSN’s (bachelor’s degrees in nursing). Our instructors are not only highly qualified but caring, nurturing individuals.

For more details on Tri-Rivers Healthcare programs call 740-389-4682, Ext. 505.

 

 

FFA Week, February 19-26

Tri-Rivers will celebrate National FFA Week February 19-26, 2010.  Infinite Potential is the theme this year and it embodies all the best about FFA members, from the most recognizable symbol of the organization, the blue corduroy jacket, a symbol of pride and tradition, to the bright future of agriculture and the traditions of leadership and hard work. More than half a million members around the nation will participate in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels.

The focus of National FFA Week is to tell America about the great opportunities available for all youth. From its beginnings in 1928 as the Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization today reaches out to all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  FFA is committed to developing character and leadership skills and preparing members for a lifetime of civic leadership and career success.

Tri-Rivers FFA members are the leaders of tomorrow. They are success-oriented students who are driven to achieve their goals. FFA gives many young people an important push to consider their futures—what kind of people, citizens and professionals they intend to be.

Throughout the week Tri-Rivers students will participate in several fun activities:

A can tab drive for Ronald McDonald House.  The tabs will be collected & weighed on Friday, February 25th.  The winning class will be treated to an Ice Cream Sundae Bar.
• There will be announcements about the FFA and agriculture made each morning by FFA Members
• There will be a Staff Appreciation Breakfast in the Eagle Inn on Wednesday morning at 7:30AM
We have the following Dress-Up Days planned (TRCC logo wear is still required.)
Tuesday—Hat Day
Wednesday—Blue & Gold Day
Thursday—Crazy Hair/Fashion Disaster Day
Friday—Cowboy/Cowgirl Day

FFA officers will conduct the following activities during lunch periods in the MPR—Tuesday, Baby Bottle Chug; Wednesday, Minute to Win It/Corn Hole Tournament; Thursday, Corn on the Cob Eating Contest and Friday, Minute to Win It.

National FFA Week is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Carhartt as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.  The Foundation is the fundraising arm of the National FFA and supports programs by working with sponsors to raise funds for scholarships that are awarded to outstanding members.