• PTC opens its doors to prospective students

    OCTOBER 16, 2019 | COLLEGE NEWS

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    Both campuses of Pinellas Technical College held their open house events last
    week to crowds looking for new careers or those just starting off in the workforce.

     

    Both campuses of Pinellas Technical College (PTC) held their open house events to crowds of people looking for new careers or those just starting in the workforce. Teachers, administrators, and support staff all did their part to make each night a success.

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    L-R, Branka Prodanovic, Adult Education PCS Occupational Specialist,
    Charlotte Wright, ABE/GED, and Victoria Saenz, ESOL

     

    Although the sky opened and the rain fell, the wet weather did not dampen the enthusiasm of the 70 people on Oct. 8 that showed up to the Clearwater campus.

     

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    Electricity instructor Michael Wyllie gave tours of his classroom
    several times during the evening.

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    Cosmetology instructors Lizbeth Galarza (left) and Betty Greenlaw
    (right) talked to many prospective students throughout the evening.

     

    Prospective students got a chance to visit classrooms and meet teachers such as Bert Pruitt, who has been the cabinet making instructor for 30 years.

    "It's not just cabinet making," he explained. "We focus a lot on drafting and design. There's a miniature architect program within my program."

    Pruitt said he challenges his students with "odd things on purpose" so they can master angles and curves. He also explained that since cabinet making interacts with other trades, his students leave knowing some plumbing, electrical, finishing, design layout, and more. 

    He made sure a few of his star students were on hand to help impress. Jesus Agurcia has a little more than halfway to go, but already he's learned how to make cabinets, picture frames, doors, and other items.

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    Cabinet Making instructor Bert Pruitt (right) and two of his star
    students Jesus Agurcia (left) and Mathew Younger (middle) proudly
    showed off a roll top desk constructed in the class.

     

    Mathew Younger should graduate next March and feels that the class has been a "creative outlet." Once finished, he plans to travel around in his outfitted van and create unique spaces for those who think outside the box.

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    The Professional Culinary Arts & Hospitality instructor Jacqueline
    Drum let the public tour the state-of-the-art professional kitchen on
    the Clearwater campus.

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    L-R, Shayna Davis, Baking & Pastry Arts student Shavon James,
    Delon Rayner, Deasia Rayner, and Brianna Davis

     

    The weather held up for the Oct. 10 event where close to 120 people crowded into the atrium on the St. Pete campus to meet instructors, learn about support services, and sample the cuisine of the culinary arts students.

    The Professional Culinary Arts & Hospitality instructors and their chefs in training whipped up yummy bite-sized quiche, savory beef and cheese empanadas, scrumptious jalapeno poppers, tantalizing meatballs, gooey macaroni and cheese, gourmet styled Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches and more. 

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    L-R, Cosmetology instructor April Barron, St. Pete campus Director
    Boe Norwood, and Cosmetology instructor Tenise Crum

     

    People got wind of the open house events by listening to the radio, reading the newspapers, or browsing community calendars, but the word-of-mouth effect is always best.

    Baking & Pastry Arts student Shavon James wants to work in a bakery and eventually open her own business. She brought her son, daughter, and two nieces to get them thinking early about a career.

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    Executive Director Mark Hunt, Career, Technical and Adult Education
    and Assistant Director Dawn Bingham

     

    "Coming to the college atmosphere, there'll get a feel of it, and it will open up their minds," said James, who also completed the Professional Culinary Arts & Hospitality program. "They came to the last open house, and they loved it."

    Although her high schooler son, Delon, is undecided about a career path, her daughter Deasia, 13, wants to follow in her mom's footsteps and attend PTC to become a great chef.

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    GED instructor Rosena Ashwood-Harris and Medical Administrative
    Specialist instructor Traci Matthews

     

    National Technical College Signing Day on Feb. 20 of next year is PTC's upcoming initiative to educate the masses. At this professional, sports-style signing event, high school students will commit to attending PTC.