Seniors' plans demonstrate TCD's focus on future

Success at Technology Center of DuPage is due in no small part to the hard work of students, instructors and staff in partnership with the sending high schools.

At our Senior Awards ceremony May 19, the fruit of that collaboration was evident in the 88 students honored, including 42 outstanding seniors and 39 recognized for excellence in effort and growth, as well as competition winners and scholarship recipients.

Competition success included TCD's state champion ProStart Culinary team that went on to place 10th nationally in a field of 52 teams. Team members were Mary Hoare and Jorge Angulo from Wheaton North, Anica Hosticka from West Chicago Community High School, Amber Truby from Downers Grove North, and Maria Boleaga from Downers Grove South.

Each received thousands of dollars in scholarship awards and will enter a college culinary program in the fall.

Twenty-six TCD students qualified to participate last April in the state SkillsUSA competition and 16 placed among the top 10 in the state. Wheaton North senior Samuel Cubberley, part of TCD's EMT program, placed first in the state in First Aid/CPR, with fellow Wheaton North EMT student Weston Stutzman placing third.

Another third-place win was Glenbard West senior Angeles Vazquez-Hernandez from TCD Cosmetology. All three will use their substantial amount of dual credit (college credit earned while still in high school) at College of DuPage then transfer to a four-year university in their field.

The future plans of these honorees (see them at TCD's website, tcdupage.org) are reflected in our recent survey of graduating seniors, which reveals that 83 percent are going to college, 3 percent are going into an apprenticeship or technical school, and 4 percent are entering the military with an eye toward college in the future. The remainder said they will work full time or work to save money for further education.

It is not surprising students in these hands-on careers plan on postsecondary education, since those who registered for dual credit already have generated a college transcript. First semester, TCD students completed 1,884 credit hours (primarily with College of DuPage) and are on track to double that for a total of 5,609 credit hours by the end of the year.

At COD's current tuition rate, that's a savings to students and parents of $785,260 - and more for those transferring their dual credit to a four-year university. In addition to this savings, TCD students have received (to date) scholarships totaling $536,000.

The state and national industry certifications earned by many students through their respective TCD electives also help pay for postsecondary education, through full- or part-time work that continues to build their résumés. Last year, 100 percent of TCD's eligible EMT students passed the national exam, allowing them to work as EMTs while going to college or paramedic school.

Ninety-one percent of the eligible nursing assistant students passed the state Certified Nursing Assistant exam, a requirement for most advanced nursing programs and a means to work in the field while going to school.

On that same year-end survey, seniors were asked what they liked about TCD. For years, the responses have noted the hands-on experience, the luxury of time (two hours every day) to focus on work and projects, meeting students from other schools interested in the same career, and the mentoring by instructors who have actually worked in the field.

More recently there is an expressed appreciation for the focus on their future. A Wheaton North nursing assistant student wrote: "I like how TCD gives you time to figure out if this is what you really want to do."

"It's good preparation for college," commented a Downers Grove South criminal justice senior, "working independently and as part of a team to accomplish goals."

This spring, DuPage-area seniors are experiencing the thrill of high school graduation and the nervous prospect of college independence. Those who spent part of their day at TCD have justifiable pride in knowing they tackled college-level work while still in high school.

However, unlike many of their peers, TCD seniors also have built - through acquired skills, experience and networking with industry professionals - a résumé with which they can confidently enter the workplace someday. That kind of educational success is a real reason to celebrate.

• Dr. Jim Thorne is director of the DuPage Area Occupational Education System, the governing body for Technology Center of DuPage and other CTE delivery sites in the region. See tcdupage.org for participating member high schools and information about TCD's advanced CTE electives, dual credit and industry certifications.