Kamiakin Students Earn 1st Place in International Competition

Three Kamiakin DECA students have successfully taken on international competition in a business simulation called Virtual Business. These students placed 1st in the Virtual Business H&R Block Personal Finance challenge by testing their skills at managing their personal financial wealth. They also placed 2nd in the Virtual Business Retailing Challenge by testing their skills at managing a retail convenience store. The students had to make marketing decisions as well as many personal finance decisions and upload their scores to compete against others in the region as well as the nation. Team “Minority Report”, which consists of Taran Patel, Brandon En’Wezoh and Ronish (Billy) Sharma, competed against thousands of teams spending many hours running their simulation as precisely as possible.

The next step for these enterprising students is to compete against other top teams from around the world in a round robin format tournament at the International Career and Development Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Team Minority Report will be competing for cash and scholarship opportunities for up to $50,000 as well as shadowing an H&R Block executive. In addition, the top three teams will receive a $2,500 classroom grant for their school.
Congratulations to these students and we wish them the best of luck!

CORE 24 - Proposed State Graduation Requirements

The State Board of Education has been working on new state graduation requirments known as CORE 24. The “core” of CORE 24 is a set of graduation requirements that the Board believes will prepare students intentionally for whatever option they choose after high school.
CORE 24 represents the essential high school graduation requirements all students should have to prepare for life after high school.

CORE 24 is based on the following principles:
1) Equip everyone: Prepare ALL students for life after high school—in gainful employment, an apprenticeship or postsecondary education.
2) Expect more: Align requirements to meet the increased expectations of the 21st century workforce.
3) Provide flexibility: Allow students to customize their education, creating relevance to their interests.
4) Give focus: Encourage students to align course work to achieve their future career goals.
5) Plan ahead: Emphasize the High School and Beyond Plan to offer students personalized guidance to prepare them for work, postsecondary education, or both.
6) Start early: Prepare students to enter highschool and create opportunities to meet high school graduation requirements in middle school.

Under CORE 24, all students would be enrolled automatically in college and career ready courses that would keep all postsecondary college and career options open unless they chose to pursue a college emphasis or a career emphasis only.


Additional information may be found at the State Board of Education's web site: http://www.sbe.wa.gov/mhsd.htm

CORE 24 flyer: http://www.sbe.wa.gov/documents/Core24Final12-19-08_001.pdf

Kennewick High DECA Event Benefits Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery

Kennewick High School DECA held its third annual three on three Basketball Tournament on
Tuesday, November 10 in the Lions Den. Eight teams hit the court, some just for fun in the novice division and some for a real test of skills in the expert division. The winning teams from each division had their team names placed on the basketball trophy which is on display in Mr. Buckingham’s room throughout the year. All proceeds from the event were donated to Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery. Event organizers selected Safe Harbor because they wanted to see the money raised help people in our local community.

Southridge High School Web Desgin Students "Feed the Teens"

It’s not something many people realize, but a surprising number of teenagers in the Tri-Cities don’t get enough to eat each day. Southridge students Cameron Fountain, Andrew Coxen, and Casey Chen, who are in a Web Design Class together, all know of students who are going hungry at Southridge and are doing something to help. As part of a project for their class, they have developed a program called “Feed the Teens”. And now, the students are asking for help from the community and local businesses to donate food for the program throughout the year.

“One of the big emphases of this program is that it is totally confidential,” says Chen. “No one will know the name of the person making the request and they can pick up the food without anyone knowing any personal information about them.” To determine eligibility, teens fill out a short confidential survey that can be found on the Southridge website that submits their answers to a confidential email address. Teens then receive a confidential number that corresponds to a number found on food care packages they can pick up in the Southridge kitchen. Those wishing to make a donation can bring nonperishable food items to the main office at Southridge High School during normal school hours. For more information on the "Feed the Teens" program and a complete list of accepted foods, please visit http://www.ksd.org/srhs/Activities/feed%20the%20teens/.

Kamiakin DECA and Link Crew Sponsor Second Harvest Food Drive

Kamiakin DECA and Link Crew, led by students Sedale Garcia and Juan Pedraza, worked extremely hard this year to run a successful food drive. Not only were 2,891 pounds of food collected, last year’s total of 2,861 pounds was beat! With all the food collected a total of 481 families can be fed for a week. The food drive at Kamiakin was from November 10-23 providing two weeks to collect as much food as possible.

This food drive was successful due to great advertising. Link Crew and DECA participated in making posters and hanging them around the school. The food drive information was on the background of all computer desktops, and on the reader board outside the cafeteria. The variety of advertising techniques helped to collect a lot of food.

Every classroom was given a list of needed items and boxes to fill with food. To provide additional incentives, the winning first hour class would receive a pizza party. Mr. Young’s first period class won with a total of 48 boxes! On November 24th at 8:00 am KNDU videotaped DECA and LINK Crew students putting the boxes collected into the Second Harvest truck. This was a great hands-on experience for all the students and a project that supported our local community!

Kamiakin DECA Students team with SADD to "Be A Lifesaver!"

From November 16th – 20th Kamiakin DECA, led by Brielle Olson and Emily Thoelke and the SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions), sponsored a Suicide Awareness/Prevention week. Results from a survey taken last year at Kamiakin indicated that 17.3% have had thoughts of suicide within the past year. This statistic startled our staff and students, thus, the campaign was created.

During this week DECA and SADD members handed out Life Savers with the Suicide Prevention Hotline telephone number and three easy steps to help somebody with suicidal issues to get help. The point of this activity was to “BE A LIFESAVER.” DECA members, Emily and Brielle went to all the health classes on Tuesday November 17th and presented ideas on how to help someone with thoughts about suicide and what is best to do in a suicidal situation. They focused on making students aware that there is always somebody that would be willing to listen if they are ever in need.

A video announcement was made that really hit home with the students. The video featured Kamiakin students answering questions regarding how they would help make other student’s days better. The suicide statistics from the survey were included. Daily announcements in the school bulletin voiced how serious and realistic suicide is.

Surveys taken at the end of the week indicated that the staff and students at Kamiakin High School are more aware of how to prevent and report suicidal thoughts. We feel that this will help in the fight against harmful acts to self and others. Great job Emily and Brielle for a successful campaign!

CTE Programs at Kamiakin Focus on Job Readiness!

The Career and Technical Education programs at Kamiakin High School worked together to send the same message on job readiness to all CTE students. In order to do this, two days in November were set aside to have students learn from industry professionals.

The first day, November 23rd, the focus was on the paper tools necessary for applying for a job and getting an interview. Four WorkSource professionals talked with the students about the do’s and don’ts for resumes, job applications, employment correspondence, and many other tips. Students were given pocket applications and encouraged to ask questions.

On Tuesday, November 24th, the focus was on interviewing and avenues to get great jobs and careers. There were good and bad interviews presented and then a panel of professionals provided crucial advice to students. The panel consisted of representatives from Battelle, the Forest Service, the health industry, and photography.

We appreciate the community support and feel that the days were successful. An estimated 900 students were involved each day.

"My Little Princess" - Kamiakin DECA's Daddy Daughter Dance

On November 21st Kamiakin DECA, led by seniors, Kristin Kontogianis and Randee Pemberton, hosted the first Kamiakin Father-Daughter dance. With intense preparation, and support from DECA, staff, and local businesses, we are proud to call this dance a great success!

“My Little Princess” took place in the Kamiakin Cafeteria and was open to girls ages 5 to 18 and their fathers/guardians. There was a dance floor set up, as well as tables. Lon Martins was the DJ for this event. Everyone loved him! Attendees learned to square dance and do a tunnel line with their dads. Aside from dancing, there were professional pictures, taken by Realife Photography, free desserts and drinks, tables to color on, and a smoothie bar! Comments from participants were very positive, with thanks to DECA for the opportunity to make the night a special one.

151 guests attended Kamiakin’s Daddy Daughter Dance, a great turn out for its inaugural year; Kamiakin DECA could not be happier and hope that this will become an annual event for years to come.

STEM in Career & Technical Education

Science, Technology Engineering and Math standards are integrated into many CTE classes where students are preparing for their futures! Classes that integrate the STEM standards include Materials Science Technology, Engineering Technology, Principles Of Technology, Drafting and CAD, Construction Technology, Food Science, Agriculture Science, Horticulture Science and Health Science Occupations.

Within these courses students learn STEM concepts through hands-on applications of the standards and participate in exciting projects. For example, students in Agriculture classes learn about water quality while raising fish in partnership with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Students in Materials Science learn about the chemical properties of glass while they make their own glass.

Recently, students in Marci Howard's Health Science class participated in the Health Career Fair at CBC's Health Science campus in Richland. The students had an opportunity to learn about the many career opportunities within the health care industry, speak with physicans, nurses, technicians and other health care professionals and participate in hands-on activities.

Students are challenged to think creatively and solve problems using the scientific process in hands-on learning environments.

Kids Helping Kids ~ Free Halloween House Sponsored by Kamiakin DECA

The Kamiakin DECA club is sponsors the annual Halloween House on October 29th at McDonalds. This free event provides children ages 5 to 8 a safe place to go for a fun Halloween evening. Ronald McDonald, a maze and trick-or-treat houses make-up the fun event. Children, young and not-so-young, are in costume!

Kamiakin DECA has sponsored this event for over ten years with the goal to provide an alternative activity to trick-or-treating in neighborhoods that they are not familiar with. The DECA students are responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of this community tradition. McDonalds and Adams Enterprises invest in this activity through their support of the annual appearance of Ronald McDonald!

This is truly a great community partnership of kids helping kids.

DECA Students Receive Leadership Training

Kamiakin Marketing and DECA students had a great opportunity to learn how to be better leaders by attending the Washington State DECA Fall Leadership Conference in Bellevue on October 25-27th. From touring Seattle on the infamous Ducks, to the high energy opening session with the Seattle Sounder’s President, to leadership training sessions, the students learned and had fun doing it! Topics covered included: decision-making, effective communication, citizenship, teamwork, consequences, problem-solving, and communication styles, along with workshops on competition, leadership, and careers. Seventeen Kamiakin students felt the excitement of being a DECA member. Students networked with other students from the local area and from across the state. They also experienced the pleasure of teamwork and got a chance to explore their future goals.

Kamiakin Marketing is doing their part in training future leaders in business and marketing!

Careers In Education Students Attend Future Teachers Workshop!

Southridge and Kamiakin High School’s Careers In Education students had the unique opportunity to attend a Future Teachers conference in October at WSU-Tri-Cities. The students learned techniques to be more successful at their internship sites and as a teacher. These techniques included making math fun, working with special needs students, teaching through song and music, and routines and rituals in the classroom.

Pictured: Southridge and Kamiakin CIE students thank the Kennewick Education Association for sponsoring their T-shirts!

We look forward to an incredible year in CIE!

National DECA Week Celebrated at Kamiakin High School - October 2009

Kamiakin’s DECA chapter celebrated National DECA week with lots of fun activities. The week started with the City of Kennewick recognizing DECA week with a formal proclamation. Each day had different activities: Monday’s activity was “find a DECA Diamond.” DECA Diamonds were strategically hidden around campus for students to look for and find for a reward. The winners were recognized with prizes and bragging rights.

Tuesday was the day for the annual DECA Week Dodgeball Tournament. Mrs. Clizbe’s Sports Marketing class were the winners in this very competitive activity. There was also a parent open house that evening to explain DECA and the opportunities that are available to the members. Wednesday challenged our members with a scavenger hunt at lunch time. This was competitive and creativity in the pictures was key. Thursday was the first meeting of the year. Eighty of the 170 members were present for pizza and information on upcoming activities. DECA members were also encouraged to participate in the blood drive at school. Friday was fun with the “pie-an-officer-in-the face” fundraiser.

The week capped with a Tri-City wide DECA fashion show called “Viva La Glam”. Students from DECA chapters in the area planned, promoted, implemented, and modeled in a fabulous fashion show held at Columbia Center Mall. Even our principal, Mr. Chelin was involved by strutting his stuff on the runway. All in all, this DECA week was filled with fun and rewarding activities for all members.

Kamiakin DECA Officers: Kristin Kontogianis-President, Randee Pemberton-Vice-President, Taran Patel-Secretary, Billy Sharma-Treasurer, Savanna Davies-Public Relations, Brandon En’Wezoh-Fundraising Coordinator, Laura Philllips-Competition Coordinator, Kevin Paulson- Delegate. We are proud to say that we have 168 members this year!

Marketing & Business Leadership Conference - October 1, 2009

Marketing and business students from area high schools attended the 11th Annual Marketing & Business Leadership Conference held on October 1st. Students participated in break-out sessions with local business representatives including, Carl Taylor and Harold Adams from McDonald’s, Matt Price from McCurley, Deb Bowen from Jr. Achievement, Rachael Drouhard, Stephanie Maier and Chris Collier from Imageworks.

Additional sessions included Job Preparation and Job Seeking Skills with Becky Ferguson, Owner, Taste Tri-Cities and Darlene Mendoza, HR, City of Kennewick and Innovation in Action! presented by Jon Heaton, CEO, Pay Plus Benefits.

The featured speaker, Joe Estey, talked with students about how to develop their own futures and create their own destiny.
Students were served lunch provided by Costco and had an opportunity to talk to a variety of business representatives at the mini-trade show.

Agriculture Students Visit CBC and Gauntt Farms

Students from Kamiakin and Kennewick Agriculture programs participated in a tour of the Columbia Basin College research farm, agriculture mechanics facilities and then headed out to Burbank where they met with Gauntt Farm owner, Chep Gauntt. Gauntt discussed the many opportunities in farming today and the important role that technology plays on today’s farms.

At CBC, Tim Woodward, Dean of the Agriculture Research and Development Department led students through the school’s research farm and discussed the many crops they are growing, including soybeans, alfalfa, chili peppers, sweet corn and giant miscanthus. Much of the research is focused on the development of alternative fuels.

Welcome to the Kennewick School District Career & Technical Education BLOG! We hope you will visit often to see what is happening in CTE!!