WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year a scholarship is available from the West Orange Chamber for a senior from Dr. Phillips, Evans, Ocoee, Olympia and West Orange High Schools who will be attending either Westside Tech or Valencia after graduation. (A total of 5 scholarships.)
    These scholarships are made possible by the West Orange Chamber Membership and are limited to students attending the five high schools here in West Orange County. Each scholarship is $500 and can be used by the student recipients for tuition expenses or  books. (See the attached application packet for specifics.)
    Lauren Wolf, at the West Orange Chamber, is the Staff person handling the scholarship program. Lauren's contact information is as follows:

Lauren Wolf
West Orange Chamber of Commerce
12184 West Colonial Drive
Winter Garden  FL  34787
Phone: 407-656-1304
extension 5
e-mail: LWolf@WOChamber.com
   
(Click here for an application)

Farmworker Jobs and Education Program of Florida

The Farmworker Jobs and Education Program will assist with paying:

• Tuition, books, supplies, lab fees and uniforms.
• Needs based payments are available to participants attending vocational programs.

You may qualify if you or a family member living in your home worked in a:

• Greenhouse
• Packing house
• Laying sod or worked on a sod farm
• Tree Farm
• Hauling fruits or vegtables
• Picked oranges, cotton, vegtables, and many more...

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At Westside Tech, a division of Orange County Public Schools, you will find a wide selection of job preparation and academic programs. Westside Tech is dedicated to providing affordable training, academic programs and personal enrichment at our main campus and area community centers. We serve adult and secondary students who are looking for full time or part time programs, online or flexible class schedules. Students study with highly qualified teachers and learn while using state of the art equipment. Orange County Public Schools offer you EDUCATION Without Limits.

Westside Tech Student Wins Design Contest

When the Department of Career and Technical Education was looking for a new design to place on two OCPS vehicles they naturally saw it as a hands-on learning opportunity for students.  “This was a great chance for students to work on a real world design project,” said Janet Addair, Associate Superintendent for Career and Technical Education.  “We were impressed by the caliber of submissions from the more than 100 students who submitted ideas.”

Jared Simons, a student of Westside Tech, and a member of Rafael Roman’s multimedia design class developed the winning entry by combining strong visuals with a compelling message about reinventing yourself (and your career) at OCPS.  Jared’s design will be prominently featured on two OCPS vehicles used by CTE staff members who develop training programs for business and industry.

2009 State Winners!

Westside Tech Architectural Drafting Students take TOP HONORS at State Competition.

Renee Giddings Westside Tech’s Architectural Drafting instructor is proud to announce that Westside students, Aaron Mathews took 1st Place in Architectural Drafting CAD and will advance to National Competition in Kansas City, KS in June, Johnnatan Giraldo took 1st Place in Architectural Drafting Board and Edgar Sanchez took 2nd Place in Architectural Drafting Board at the SkillsUSA Florida 2009 state competition.  Students are tested on their preparation for employment and to recognize outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field for Architectural Drafting.  They were given an architectural drafting problem consisting of background information, building requirements and a description of drawings required.  They then had 5 hours to draw a floor plan, front and side elevations and a wall section.  The technology of Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and traditional board drafting were two separate competitions.  A written test covering basic skills and knowledge in both traditional drafting and CAD was also given.

Westside Tech’s staff and students did a great job of launching our first Career-e-oki remote.  Below is a shot of students singing about the career they want.  The story was aired on Ch.9 at 5:30, Tuesday, January 13th as they were present filming the festivities.

Westside students perform for Careereoki contest.

Westside Teachers win Darden Grant! Mrs. Jan Davis' cosmetology class and Chef Rich Petrello's culinary class will each receive the $1000 Darden Innovative Grant Award. They will receive the grant from the Foundation's Board of Directors, representative of Darden Restaurants, Superintendent Ronald Blocker and the members of the Orange County School Board at a Reception in their honor at the the Orlando Repertory Theater.

Westside grad wins Massage Therapist of the Year award!

Diana Wassman, a graduate of Westside Tech's massage therapy program, was recently presented the Florida Chiropractors Association's Massage Therapist of the Year Award.

Westside Tech graduate and recent Massage Therapist of the Year award-winner Diana Wassman (holding plaque) returned to Westside last week to share her professional advice and experience with students. Joining her in the classroom are (l-r) in front, Sherry Priester, Rosemary Starkey, Marie Vertus, Lorena Haynes (Westside massage therapy department instructor and chairperson), Mercedes Horner, Brittany Wadkins, Katy Jans; in back, Cathy Caine, Ashley Kilgore, Ariel Albani, Alecia Distin and Frank Squire.