Tech High

Washington County Technical High School's SkillsUSA officers participated in a fall leadership conference at Ocean City last month. The conference at the Carousel Resort Hotel focused on leadership at school, work and in communities. Marjorie Kellman, Tech High's Skills-USA adviser was one of the presenters. From Tech High, Lauren Barber, Zoe Garcia, Daphne Bryant, Jimmie Presgraves, Brenna Bailey, Ciera Redifer, Stephanie Larrick and Meghan Blair earned their Statesman Awards. Ashley Giffin earned her Advanced Statesman Award.

Harley Harrison and Brett Welsh have been named students of the month at Washington County Technical High School. Harley Harrison is a senior enrolled in digital photography and digital film editing, advanced- placement U.S. history, advanced-placement literature and composition, and entrepreneurship.  She holds a 3.5 grade-point average. She dedicates most of her time to her church and plans to join Lifehouse's Master's Commission, a leadership and missionary program, after high school.

On Sept. 29, the 2011-12 SkillsUSA officers were installed into their elected offices at Washington County Technical High School as family and friends looked on. Each officer-elect presented a piece of the SkillsUSA emblem that corresponded with their role, then lit candles to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible examples for Tech High.   Marjorie Kellman, lead adviser, installed each officer with the assistance of Ashley Giffin, past secretary and student adviser to the board.

The senior class of Digital Communications at Washington County Technical High School won the student segment of the Maryland International Film Festival Oct. 14. The four films shown at the competition were a mixture of professional, film school and Tech High's. Working into the night, the students struggled to meet the Oct. 4 deadline while maintaining competitive standards and utilizing common filming techniques. "A Short Interpretation of The Mothman Prophecies" was the first movie short produced by Digital Communications.

Washington County Technical High School's fall open house is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The public is welcome to attend and get a firsthand look at the programs at Tech High's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) magnet school. Tech High, off Oak Ridge Drive in Hagerstown, has more than 450 juniors and seniors who have been admitted to one of 17 technical areas from the public high schools in the county. Tech areas have expanded to address the needs of the 21st century.

Frances Hautz and Cody Lanehart were named students of the month for October at Washington County Technical High School. Frances is a senior enrolled in collision repair, advanced-placement U.S. history, advanced-placement literature and composition, and psychology. She hopes to one day have her own body shop.   When she is not at school, Frances enjoys playing her trumpet, listening to music, fishing, drawing and taking care of her pets. Frances earned a 3.89 grade-point average and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society.

Four students in the Simulation and Digital Entertainment program at Hagerstown Community College worked with Washington County Public Schools staff and students in the Computer Game Development and Animation Program at Washington County Technical High School to create, design and develop an educational computer game for elementary school students in grades one through five. The project was part of the $339,602 USDA Culinary Enhancement of Food grant, which was awarded to the Maryland State Department of Education in 2009.

Veronica Morris has dreamed of being a teacher since her first-grade teacher told her she had a teacher's handwriting. Morris' dream became one step closer when she won a silver medal in the Preschool Teaching Assistant category at the SkillsUSA Championships. SkillsUSA is a national organization for students in various occupational education programs. The contests assess skills necessary for an entry-level career in specific fields. Morris, 18, is a 2011 graduate of Washington County Technical High School's Early Childhood Professions program.

Justin Dalmau and Kara Reece were named students of the month at Washington County Technical High School. Justin is a junior enrolled in the pre-engineering class at Tech High. His academic schedule includes pre-engineering, advanced-placement English literature, honors physics, honors trigonometry and honors world history. His home school is Williamsport. His grade-point average is 3.61.    He plans to pursue a career in aeronautical or robotics engineering. He is  a member of the National Technical Honor Society and was head of programming for the pre-engineering Junior Robotics Club.