Lyco CTC helps students find career paths
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville sophomore Jozlyn Drake, left, does her skill check off on taking blood pressure as Effie Kishbaugh, right acts as her patient, while teacher and nurse Dawn Shaffer grades her in first year Health Careers. Students in Health Careers must complete different skills which are used in the health care profession as part of their course work.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville sophomore Ariela Webster works on letter recognition with 3 year old Viola Fleischmann in Early Childhood Education at Lyco CTC. High school students enrolled in this program gain first hand experience in the education field.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville junior Brogan Kaler prepares an order in Culinary Arts class for Lyco Cafe' recently. The Cafe' is open to the public providing student made meals at a reasonable price.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville junior Jarret Whitmoyer works on his framing project in the Construction Technology class recently. Construction students learn about most aspects of construction from pouring concrete, laying block, framing, roofing, electrical and plumbing.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville sophomore Jozlyn Drake, left, does her skill check off on taking blood pressure as Effie Kishbaugh, right acts as her patient, while teacher and nurse Dawn Shaffer grades her in first year Health Careers. Students in Health Careers must complete different skills which are used in the health care profession as part of their course work.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville sophomore Ariela Webster works on letter recognition with 3 year old Viola Fleischmann in Early Childhood Education at Lyco CTC. High school students enrolled in this program gain first hand experience in the education field.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville junior Brogan Kaler prepares an order in Culinary Arts class for Lyco Cafe' recently. The Cafe' is open to the public providing student made meals at a reasonable price.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville junior Jarret Whitmoyer works on his framing project in the Construction Technology class recently. Construction students learn about most aspects of construction from pouring concrete, laying block, framing, roofing, electrical and plumbing.
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Azara Ranson loves riding horses and aspires to be a professional rodeo performer.
She also wants to learn as much as she can about automotive technology, one of seven programs offered at the Lycoming Career and Technology Center in Hughesville.
She figures, to be traveling on the rodeo circuit, "I will need to know how to fix vehicles," the Warrior Run High School sophomore said.
Ranson is among more than 300 students from six area high schools learning at Lyco CTC.
Students splitting their days between regular classes at their high schools and the Lyco CTC can choose from the additional following programs: computer systems technology, construction trades, criminal justice, culinary arts, early childhood education and health careers.
Ranson said she loves learning about brakes, steering and suspension, electronics, engine performance and even welding.
Nathan Minium, Lyco CTC executive director, said the school provides a wealth of hands-on learning opportunities for high school students to explore their interests.
"For two hours each day, they can come here and figure out what they are interested in," he said.
Students begin their journey in the 10th grade.
"They might not know exactly what they want at first," he said. "Our hope is by the end of their senior year they know what they at least want to start in."
Dawn Shaffer teaches students enrolled in Lyco CTC's Health Careers program, providing instruction in medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, medical assisting and nursing.
"I teach three sessions with 32 students total," Shaffer, a registered nurse, said. "Most of my kids choose to go into nursing, but all of them are learning basic skills."
Ryleigh Derrick, a Warrior Run High School senior, said, "It's helped me understand what I want to do."
Derrick hopes to continue her journey at Pennsylvania College of Technology working toward becoming an emergency medical technician and then a paramedic.
The program allows students to receive health education and to practice communication and professional skills.
"It's definitely a great program," Derrick said. "I've learned so much in my time here."
Shaffer noted that among her former students are those working as registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
All of the programs, Minium said, have in place occupational advisory committees to help the school stay present with the needed skills of the workplace.
Danni Wilcox, a Muncy High School sophomore, is a construction trades student.
"We learn a lot of different skills here," she said.
The program exposes students to such trades as carpentry, masonry, plumbing and electrical occupations.
She likes that students have a chance to hear people visiting the school talk about the kinds of jobs they aspire to work in.
Minium noted that students are receiving training in the type of jobs that will be in demand for years to come.
"Some kids go to college. Some go right to the workforce," he said. "I think the opportunity is here for high school students to find their career path and take that big step after graduation."
The Lyco CTC building, located at the East Lycoming School District campus, opened in 2006 and serves students from Hughesville, Muncy, Loyalsock, Montoursville, Warrior Run and Benton.
The school has agreements with local colleges and technical schools allowing students to earn college credits for completed work.
More information about Lyco CTC can be found online at www.lycoctc.org.