Congressman Thompson tours SMAHS career and technical education programs
ST. MARYS - Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-15) touted St. Marys Area High School’s array of career and technical programs during a recent visit to the school.
“St. Marys Area High School is quite frankly making a difference in the lives of these kids, but also in our community and in our economy. They are really helping to prepare the next generation of qualified and trained workers,” Thompson said.
Dutch Manufacturing (DM) student officers greeted Thompson during his first stop inside the Dutch Manufacturing Innovation Lab.
Senior Ella Hager, DM secretary, explained the details of the student run enterprise which encompasses curriculum and hands-on learning.
The program brings together the district’s drafting and design and precision machining programs, while adding a unique pathway for students to be engaged in all aspects of a manufacturing enterprise which requires a critical blend of creativity, soft skills, and technical skills; all valuable assets regardless of whether students enter industry, college, or military after graduation.
This is in addition to partnering with many area industries to provide students the fullest access to what awaits them upon graduation. Students often visit local manufacturing facilities and work with them on various projects. A few students have gone on to obtaining full-time employment with local facilities directly out of high school as the program helped equip them with much valued credentials.
Tralynn Ginther, a junior and DM treasurer, demonstrated computer generated designs for Thompson while Dylan
Kuhns, a senior and DM vice-president, showed the workings of one of the many industrial pieces of equipment inside the lab.
Thompson noted that he has been passing out the Smile coins to his colleagues in Washington D.C. which were sent to him by SMAHS as part of a DM project.
The tour also included stops in the school’s metal working lab, wood shop, drafting, design and robotics classroom. Students were happy to show Thompson their current robotics and drafting projects, which included 3D printed items and a small drone.
SMAHS is also home to it’s own classroom setup for participants in their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. Numerous hospital beds, complete with mannequin patients, along with an array of medical supplies and equipment are setup inside the room. Thompson noted how impressive the setup was for future healthcare workers. He also stopped into a health occupations class where he chatted with students about their future plans.
“This is exciting to see the level of technology and the skill level of all involved. Just when I think no one is doing this any better anywhere else, I come back and they’re doing it better. They’re constantly improving,” Thompson sated about SMAHS.
Thompson noted the enthusiasm that the faculty has and that “they are really creating promising futures for the young people that are enrolled here.” He also applauded the school district’s partnership with the community,
specifically with business and industries that help to lend/donate equipment to allow students access to stateof-the-art equipment found in the workplace.
In addition to SMA’s Dutch Manufacturing and CNA programs, the school offers an array of career readiness programs including Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and firefighter preparedness courses. In August the school will implement a new teacher preparedness program.
SMA’s Diversified Occupation (DO) program provides opportunities for students to work at a local business to gain much needed work experience. Prior to starting their employment, students are required to complete a
course about how to be a good employee.
At the conclusion of the tour, Thompson posed for a large group photo including students participating in the Dutch Manufacturing program as well as other career and technical educations students and faculty.
“I’m always honored the first time I am invited to visit someplace, and am surprised when I get invited back,” Thompson stated.