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Culinary Arts Grad Receives Top Chef of the Year Award

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Matt Smith 2016

Executive Chef Matt Smith of The Sheraton Columbus at Capitol Square was honored to be recognized as the Columbus Chapter’s American Culinary Federation’s Chef of the Year. Smith is a graduate of Tri-Rivers Culinary Arts program and Hocking College, according to his former Tri-Rivers Instructor Chef Sheila Hamm.

Smith said, “I’m truly humbled to be recognized at this level by fellow chefs and colleagues—many of whom I respect and have known for years. There are  truly talented chefs on this list including those that were instrumental in molding my career. I couldn’t have accomplished any of these feats without the direct support of my crew at the hotel, family, and friends.”

“When Matt was a student, he had the drive and passion to be great in the culinary industry,” said Chef Hamm. “As an adult, he still has that same drive, energy and passion. Over the years, he has refined his great talent to become an amazing chef. This award recognizes that.”

The award pays tribute to the member whose culinary expertise and exemplary dedication have enhanced the image of the chef and the American Culinary Federation—a person who commands the respect of this organization because of their character and performance, according to Chef Hamm.

For Smith and his culinary team, 2015 was a stellar year, according to release from the Sheraton Columbus at Capitol Square.

His team was recognized with multiple awards including receiving the Golden Spoon from Children’s Hunger Alliance, and a National ACF Presidents Medallion in Orlando, FL this past August. He was also credited with hosting a very prestigious American Academy of Chefs Dinner at the hotel in June. Additionally he achieved his goal of becoming a Certified Executive Chef in September 2015.

His culinary experiences include working with Westin Columbus and Hyatt Hotels and Resorts for about 10 years, as well as some of other fine establishments before that. He was formally trained at Hocking College in southern Ohio and under Chef Hamm at Tri-Rivers Career Center.  He said he has been led on his culinary journey by some extremely talented chefs.

With compassion for service, desire to learn, and a lot of long hours, Chef Smith is no stranger to what it takes to deliver more than what the customer is asking. With strong ties in the Columbus community through his work with the American Culinary Federation, other local chefs, and farmers, he finds himself consistently striving to bring fresh, seasonal, local, and organic menu components to his tables in Plaza Restaurant and Wine Bar. He has built a team of proven chefs that are complimented by an award-winning banquet staff.

Chef Smith is comfortable in all areas of the kitchen; however, he truly enjoys being able to see the steps of service from interaction with the client and development of menu proposals to the final execution of a successful event. Being able to poke his head in through the ballroom doors and seeing a room full of “smiling faces and empty plates” is really what brings him back to work the next day to make new memories and menus.

He is supported by his wife Jessi, son Korgan, and daughter Kilynn, who know firsthand the kind of passion and dedication Chef Smith has for his trade.

 

2-Hour Delay, Tuesday, Feb. 16

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2 hour delay

Due to weather conditions, Tri-Rivers is on a 2-hour delay, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016.

Video features RAMTEC Vex Robotics

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“This is a video of what hundreds of area students do in their free time,” said Ritch Ramey, RAMTEC Coordinator, talking about the most recent RAMTEC Ohio Vex Robotics League Video.

The video, created by Meta Solutions, has received over 10,000 views since it was posted on Facebook. Ramey said through Vex Robotics contests and camps, as well as trailer-based exploration programs, we have created an education outreach that reaches into the 144 schools that feed our Career Tech centers.

Vex Robotics offers students an exciting platform for learning about areas rich in career opportunities spanning science, technology, engineering and math. The VEX Robotics Competition, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, is the ultimate STEM activity for middle school and high school students (ages 11-18).

Each year, an engineering challenge is presented in the form of a game. Students, with guidance from their teachers and mentors, use the VEX Robotics Design System to build innovative robots designed to score the most points possible in qualification matches, elimination matches and Skills Challenges. In addition to having a great time and building amazing robots, through their participation in the VEX Robotics Competition and their work within their team, students will learn many academic and life skills.

Teams of students ranging from elementary to high school will spend months designing, building and programming a robot to compete in a series of games during the VEX Robotics Challenge.

Did you know that 6 out of 10 skilled manufacturing positions go unfilled due to the skills gap?  The VEX Competitions expose students to the skills they’ll need to fill the estimated 2.5 million skilled manufacturing jobs that need to be filled over the next ten years. VEX  Competitions aren’t just local.   They’re worldwide: More than 10,000 teams from 32 countries play in over 750 tournaments.

RAMTEC – The Nation’s Only Provider of Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing Industry Certifications — All Under One Roof

Contact:
Ritch Ramey

740-360-8156

Tri-Rivers RAMTEC concept to expand with $6 million in Straight A Funds

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RAMTEC outside new 2015In the third round of Straight A Grants by the Ohio Department of Education, Tri-Rivers Career Center was the lead district in a consortium which was awarded six grants of $1 million each to expand robotics and advanced manufacturing by replicating the Marion RAMTEC (Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Collaborative) in an additional 12 career centers. Earlier through the second round of Straight A Grants, 8 additional RAMTECs were created.

The recent additional RAMTEC sites include: Ashland County-West Holmes JVSD, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Mid-East Career and Technology Center, Lawrence County, Pickaway-Ross JVSD, US Grant CTPD, Delaware Area Career Center, Southern Hills, Vantage Career Center, Warren County CTC, EHOVE Career Center, Wayne County JVSD. Scioto County Career Technical Center also received a separate grant to create a RAMTEC for a total of 22 RAMTECs in Ohio.
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“Business and Industry do not have the skilled workers needed to upgrade and automate,” said Chuck Speelman, Tri-Rivers superintendent. “These additional grants will help to replicate the success of what we are doing with RAMTEC in Marion, Ohio. Our best practices will be used by these additional career centers to expand advanced manufacturing career-technical learning opportunities in robotics for 6th grade through 16th grade.”

Ritch Ramey, as the RAMTEC Ohio Coordinator, is responsible for the development and coordination of the training programs at Tri-Rivers RAMTEC and the additional 22 RAMTECs made possible through Straight A Grants. “Because of the grants, elementary, middle school, high school, college, adults and incumbent workers have or will have access to credentialed courses in such industrial training programs as those developed by FANUC Robotics and CNC, Yaskawa Motoman, Parker Hydraulics, Rockwell Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controls (PLC) and Mitsubishi PLCs.”

RAMTEC on the Tri-Rivers Campus serves as the training center for all of the instructors of the additional RAMTECs providing the professional development needed to make the initiative successful. “As RAMTEC expands throughout the state, we will continue to enhance the training at RAMTEC here in Marion, making Marion the “Home for Robotics Education” in Ohio and the nation,” said Ramey. “The success of RAMTEC in Marion relies on highly motivated and skilled training staff, numerous partnerships we have developed, as well as the grants we have received.”

“Ohio Means Jobs has estimated that there is a 60,000 manufacturing gap in Ohio currently,” said Ramey. “Our RAMTEC mission is to help alleviate that gap by creating a seamless pathway that will allow students throughout Ohio hands-on exposure to high tech equipment starting in the 6th grade.”

Ramey said through Vex Robotics contests and camps, as well as trailer-based exploration programs, we have created an education outreach that reaches into the 144 schools that feed our Career Tech centers. “The Straight A Grants provide state of the art equipment and education technology so our students can earn industrial credentials before they leave high school.”

The grants also provide for training the teachers from each of the additional RAMTEC sites in robotics, PLCs, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, CNC and Vex robotics. “Each Career Center is linked to two and four year colleges in which students can earn college credit while in high school. While middle school students can gain exposure through the Arduino Sparkfun Inventor Kits (SIK), Vex Robotics, camps, competitions, and tours.”

“Our team of professionals have developed and assisted with Vex Robotics camps throughout Ohio this year. With the new grants, this initiative will continue to grow exposing thousands of young people to this ultimate STEM activity for middle school and high school students,” said Ramey.

“We also host several activities for elementary students, including the upcoming Invention Convention competition to be held at RAMTEC at Tri-Rivers Saturday, February 20,” said Ramey. “RAMTEC is opening doors for young people to use problem solving and critical thinking to develop their skills and to receive real world certifications and training that will lead them to high paying skilled positions.”

Speelman said because of Marion’s RAMTEC on the Tri-Rivers campus, “Jobs are coming to this area.” For example, Union Tank Car was able to expand because of the training provided through RAMTEC. “Tri-Rivers RAMTEC has also provided robotics, CNC and Automation training for employees companies including Bridgestone, US Yachiyo, Marion Industries, American Showa, MTD, PPG, Whirlpool, Nucor, FT Precision, and Honda.”

The Straight A Grant funds are for middle school through college; however, adult learners and incumbent workers also benefit greatly from the RAMTEC expansion, concluded Speelman.

RAMTEC Open House Tomorrow, Feb. 3

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RAMTEC Open House flyer-1Join us for RAMTEC’s Open House, Wednesday, February 3, 5-8pm. This event is for high school students, parents and adult learners.

You can tour through the facility and check our high school and adult programs. High School students can also enroll during the evening into Engineering Technologies, Advanced Machining or Welding—all three programs offer bright futures and are needed to fill the skills gap in Ohio and the Nation.

There will be food throughout the event, as well as industry demonstrations.

RAMTEC, is located on the Tri-Rivers Campus, 2222 Marion-Mt. Gilead Rd, Marion, OH.

Sophomores! Maybe you’ve already applied, or are planning to apply soon, or maybe you are still trying to decide. This Open House is a great way to get more details! Along with instructors, a guidance counselor will also be available to answer questions and to assist you with your online application. Get your application in soon! Priority Deadline is February 16, 2016. Applying on or before this date will help you get into the program of your choice.

Thank you to our sponsor: PRIME.

Questions, email RAMTEC Coordinator Ritch Ramey at

 

Join Us For Anniversary Event, Jan. 28

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Blue On WhiteTri-Rivers 40th Anniversary Celebration continues with the second event in a 5-Part Series. Thursday, January 28, 5:30-7pm the Automotive Technology, Ag & Industrial Power and Veterinary Science programs will be featured. The event, which is open to the public, will start in the auditorium with a casual dinner and an update on the Career Center, as well as updates on the featured programs, followed by tours of each lab area. There will be door prizes and giveaways. The event is open to the public. Businesses and individuals involved in these career fields, as well as students interested in these programs, are encouraged to attend.

AIP motorcycle_webChief Instructional Officer Larry Hickman will share “How Tri-Rivers is meeting the needs of students, communities, as well as what’s changing in career tech. Auto Technology Instructor Lucas Bledsoe will talk about changes in the Auto Industry and certifications. Vet Science Instructor Carrie Heimlich will talk about how her program is filling a need in Ohio. Jim Rittler, Ag & Industrial Power instructor, will share how his program has gone high tech.

Destini Montgomery web

“We divided our anniversary celebration into a series of events so we could feature various areas,” said Ellen Messenger, Director of Communications. “All of the events are open to the public; however, we sent out invitations to individuals and businesses directly associated with the programs featured at each event. Our kick-off event, the Manufacturing Day, in September was well attended. We are hoping that people will not only come to the events not only to learn about what we are doing, but will also ask questions and give their input so we can better serve our communities.”

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Upcoming 40th Anniversaries Events at the Career Center include:
• Event 3—Thursday, February 25 featuring Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Digital Media & Entertainment—2-4pm
• Event 4—Thursday, March 24 featuring Healthcare Professions, Criminal Justic and CNET—5:30-7pm
• Event 5—Monday, April 25,  featuring the Adult Education program—2-6pm

For details, contact Messenger at 740-272-6015 or EMAIL

 

 

DME student interns with TRCC Marketing Department

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Olivia MuellerOlivia Mueller, a senior in the Digital Media & Entertainment program, is interning with Tri-Rivers Director of Communications Ellen Messenger.

“Olivia is a very talented young woman,” said Messenger. “She will work with me for one period a day on various projects. But her main assignment will be doing the production of the Senior Hall of Fame posters.”

Weslee Heller 2016

The posters feature Seniors who have been accepted to college, an apprenticeship, the military or have obtained employment in their career field. Once the posters are completed, they are displayed on our Amazing Students! Hall of Fame wall. Graduating Seniors also receive a copy of the poster.

“Olivia has already created a nice design for the posters as seen above. As photos and information come in, she will work in Adobe Photoshop to crop and correct the submitted photos and in Illustrator to complete each poster,” said Messenger.

She will also have the opportunity to create other posters, designs and to assist with events and other marketing projects.

Upon graduation, Olivia plans to go into the workforce first and then attend an art school with a focus on photography.

Seniors!! Forms Can Be Picked Up in Student Services

Be sure to pick up the forms in Student Services and return them with

a good photo or email the photo to your counselor.

If you do not have a photo let your counselor know and Olivia can take one.

 

 

 

TRCC Service Day to Thank Veterans

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the text thank you veterans written in a chalkboard and a flag of the United States, on a rustic wooden background

 

To thank veterans of Marion and surrounding communities Tri-Rivers Career Center will be providing complimentary services to Veterans furnished by our students, according to Roy Schweinfurth, social studies instructor and one of the event coordinators.
 
The services will be available to Veterans on Wednesday November 11. Some of the services available to Veterans include:
 
• A Soup & Salad Bar lunch provided by our Culinary Arts students from 11-12pm
 
• A Wash & Wax vehicle service provided by our Auto technology students
 
• Haircuts provided by our Cosmetology students, appointments to begin at 12:15pm
 
• Servicing lawn equipment by our Ag & Industrial Power students from 8-10:30am and 12-2pm
 
• Pet Grooming provided by our Veterinary Sciences program, 8:30 drop off 1pm pick-up. (Note: for these services pets must have required vaccinations prior to service—bordetella vaccination for kennel cough, etc.)
 
• Portraits taken by our Digital Media & Entertainment students from 9am- 2pm
 
• Vital signs readings provided by our Healthcare Profession students from 8:30-10am and 12:30-2 pm
 
• A computer safety inspection performed by our Computer Networking students from 8:30-11:30am & 12:30-2pm
 
 
Veterans visiting the building will also be entered into a raffle to win a porch bench built by our Construction Technologies students, said Schweinfurth.
 
 
In order to plan and accommodate Veterans attending the event, we ask that appointments be made in advance for each of the services. To schedule an appointment please contact: Heather Jenkins at 740-389-8547.
 
For pet grooming please contact Carrie Heimlich directly at 740-389-8510.
 
 
“We believe our Veterans have given so much for us, it is time for us to give back,” said Schweinfurth.
 

heifer festival

Join us at the Heifer Festival Sept. 26, 2015

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Heifer FestJoin us at the 11th Annual Heifer Festival, Saturday, September 26, 2015, 11am-6pm at North Union Elementary School, Richwood, Ohio. A fun family event with games for all ages, great food and exciting entertainment. Tri-Rivers students are looking forward helping with the event. Above: Mikala Young- Veterinary Science with Izzy the rabbit; Hannah Bogard – Health Care Professions with Amelia the sheep; Gabe Caulkins- Ag Industrial Power with Boss Man the llama; Kendra Triplett- Construction, and Cheyenne Snodgrass- Culinary.

The Vet Science and Ag and Industrial Power students will be assisting with children’s games, Culinary Arts students are smoking all the pork for pulled pork sandwiches, as well as baking 37 pies for food sales and cakes for the cake walk. The Construction Technologies program donated a wooden bench for the silent auction.

The event is organized by the North Union United Methodist Cooperative to raise money for Heifer International, a non-profit organization helping to fight hunger and poverty for over 70 years. Admission, entertainment and parking is free.

 

Teachers learn to teach about Robotics

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RAMTEC Camp July_web 3571Several area teachers are at RAMTECohio in Marion this week learning how to introduce robotics to elementary, middle school and high school students through engaging, hands-on activities. Several young people have joined them for the camp.

Leading the instruction is Jeff Branson educational outreach coordinator at SparkFun Electronics, along with his wife, Beverly Ball, a welding/art teacher and founder of TinkerBelles, an all-girls maker club.

Monday, July 27 the camp kicked off with a “teachers only” session. Then days 2 and 3, students joined the teachers. The last day will conclude with another “teachers only” session.

The camp is sponsored through Straight A and Honda grants. Its goal is to add art to the STEM curriculum and interest students as young as third grade.

Teachers learned new technology, how to engage students and present material. Students learned programming, problem solving, mathematical thinking, and had the opportunity to challenge themselves while participating in group activities. They even learned how to do origami.

More photos on FACEBOOK.