Electronic Students Tour Fronius Corporation
Mr. Kenning’s Electronic students visited 2013 VHS grad, Paul Bui, at Fronius Corporation’s building in the Ameriplex Complex on November 1. The Fronius tour was intended to show our students the state-of-the-art Austrian company that builds inverters for solar collectors, welding machines, and power generators and located in Portage.
Paul started working for Fronius this summer. The students got to see this modern industrial plant that was spotlessly clean, that was employee friendly, with a company picnic area, exercise space, and clean and spacious work areas. The company also utilized “energy pods” which were architecturally significant work pods where small teams of employees could meet or brainstorm. The company had a 60 KwH solar farm on its roof that is about 8 times the size of the solar array on the Career Center roof that Paul helped install while he was a student here.
Ashley Latham (PHS senior, Auto II student) saved this knurling machine for piston skirts from the scrap heap. Mr. Barnes had asked several colleagues who could not identify the machine. Ashley took it upon herself to research its origin. Ashley discovered that it was manufactured in Indiana and dates to the 1940’s. She cleaned it all up, lubed all the moving parts, and made it operational again. Pictured is Mr. Barnes showing Ashley exactly how the machine worked. Ashley is a really neat student who appreciates old stuff. She really works hard at all of her classes to maintain high grades. She also helps take of her grandparents by checking on them every day before and after school. She also helps her working parents with younger siblings transporting them to their extra activities such as girl scouts and cheer teams. Ashley is an active, busy, and productive teenager with a hectic schedule!
Culinary I students, Brendon King from Hobart on the left and Ryan Downey from Chesterton on the right. They are participating in real world cooking experiences with chefs at the Valparaiso Harre Student Union Food Service Department.
Portage Construction Class
Portage Student Builders are starting on a new house building project under the direction of Mr. Brett Dahlgren. Pictured left to right are Alex Jimenez (PHS), Chris Gore (Wheeler) and in red Adam Guerrero (PHS).
Students Stay Active in our Sports Medicine class at Hobart
Mr. Leto’s Sports Medicine students learn about injury rehabilitation to include taping, stretching, and various therapies. Pictured is Mareesa Williams (PHS) taping up an injured student and Jazmine Lopez (Hobart) is standing at right. In the background can be seen Jonathan Velez (PHS) and seated is Joshua Brewer (PHS) and with her back to the camera is Alyssa Boatner (Wheeler).
Welding Students Excel at Ivy Tech
Pictured are Elijah Torres (VHS senior) and Andrew Waddell (Portage senior) both 2013 Technical Honor Society inductees. They can be seen working on a welding project in our program at Ivy Tech. Both students will be very close to a welding certificate by the time they finish high school.
Portage Dental and Health Science Classes Attended the Health Occupations Student Organization Leadership Conference in Trafalgar
Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Doane took eighteen students to Camp Allendale on October 17 to participate in leadership workshops, challenge education activities, a ropes course, mobile EMT lab, and Medical Evacuation helicopter process, and motivational speakers. Everyone had an eventful and productive experience.
Porter County Career & Technical Center Outstanding Students /Shining Stars FIRST Quarter 2013-2014 School Year
| Name | School | Subject |
| Tyler Sexton | Valparaiso | Auto-AM-Sickles |
| Quintin Striker | Boone Grove | Auto-PM-Sickles |
| Timothy Morlock | Valparaiso | Auto-AM-Avalos |
| Jacob Nix | Kouts | Auto-PM-Avalos |
| Sean Anderson | Hobart | Bldg Trds-AM-Doane |
| Austin Owens | Kouts | Bldg Trds-AM-Doane |
| Rachel Meeks | Morgan | Business Ownership/Sports & Entertainment Mkt-AM-Conners |
| De’Juan Nelson | Portage | Marketing Internship-PM-Conners |
| Isaac Foreman | Portage | CAD-AM-Guinee |
| Miguel Marcano | Hobart | CAD-PM-Guinee |
| Zackary Walford | Portage | Electronics and Computer Technology-AM-Kenning |
| Tate Kwiecinski | Chesterton | Electronics and Computer Technology-PM-Kenning |
| Abigail Brubaker | Valparaiso | Health Occ-AM-Edwards |
| Spencer Finney | Kouts | Health Occ-PM-Edwards |
| Nicole Malouhos | Boone Grove | Health Occ-AM-Marcus |
| Elizabeth Rivich | Valparaiso | Health Careers-PM-Marcus |
| Cody Tratebas | Morgan | Machine Trades-PM-Carmack |
| William Hartman | Washington | Machine Trades-PM-Carmack |
| Joshua Wittmer | Morgan | Machine Trades-PM-Carmack |
| Megan Gulotta | Boone Grove | TV Productions-AM-Phelps |
| Allie Weiser | Portage | TV Productions-AM-Phelps |
| Mitch Paxton | Valparaiso | TV Productions-PM-Phelps |
Calendar
- November 19, Career Center hosting VCS Board Meeting, 6 pm
- Winter Lights Festival, November 16, Sunset Hill Farm, PCCTC Solar Christmas Tree Light Project will be on display through January 1.
- November 26, Grand Opening of Student Store,
- DECA Business Christmas Party Simulation, December 18, 11:45
- Notre Dame Hockey game, Student Reward Trip, Friday, January 24, 2014
- Chicago Auto Show, Student Reward Trip, Thursday, February 13, 2014
- April 10, Spring Advisory Board Meeting, 3:30, Porter County Career and Tech Center