The New Castle Career Center (NCCC) welcomes two new staff members to the administrative staff team. April Williams joins the team as the Career Technical Education (CTE) Counselor and Heidi Swafford will serve as the Secretary of Student Records.

Williams has been teaching for 22 years, previously working in elementary education before moving up to junior high/high school. After watching her children go through the NCCC, Williams knew she wanted to be a part of the team. She believes the career programs not only provide evidence of success but also showcase the benefits through projects and internships.

“The NCCC helps students figure out a career path before pushing them out into the real world,” Williams explained. “Sometimes, programs help them decide what they don’t want to be when they grow up.”

After watching students benefit from the NCCC, Swafford decided she wanted to join the team. She has a background in coaching and serving in administrative roles. She looks forward to putting her skills to use to serve at the New Castle Career Center.

“The teachers and staff here are so invested in the students and their success,” Swafford noted as her favorite thing about NCCC. “I’m excited to learn more about the Career Center and be part of the great things they are doing here.”

For more information regarding the New Castle Career Center and the programs offered, visit nccareercenter.org

The New Castle Career Center (NCCC) welcomes two new program instructors to their staff. Darrell Shawl will lead the Computer Operations course and Joshua Richardson joins the Welding Program.

Shawl holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Computer Security. Previously, he served as an instructor at Whitewater Career Center in Connersville and worked in IT for Pepsi and UPS. Shawl will bring his valuable industry experience to the classroom and is looking forward to getting to know his new students and colleagues throughout this year.

“So far everyone at NCCC has been very helpful and welcoming,” Shawl noted. “I’m eager to teach my students the skills they need to be successful in the information technology industry.”

Richardson will be coming on board to serve as the Welding Assistant. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and previously worked at Wilbur Wright Elementary and Westwood Elementary. Last year, Richardson was approached to help with the Building Trades program when both instructors were out with illness.

“Helping with Building Trades was my first experience with the Career Center,” Richardson explained. “I really enjoy working hands-on with the students to help them learn new skills.”

For information on the Computer Operations Program,  the Welding Program, or the 16 other programs the New Castle Career Center has to offer, visit nccareercenter.org.

How did you spend that last weekend before the new school year started?

A group from the New Castle Career Center’s Culinary Arts program volunteered their Sunday to make thousands of ooey, gooey grilled cheese sandwiches at the Indiana State Fair Dairy Barn.

Culinary teacher Robin Boucher explained that her students are members of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). It was through the FCCLA that they got the opportunity to be a part of the 2021 Indiana State Fair.

“FCCLA offers a program called Prostart which is culinary/hospitality focused,” Boucher said. “We have our own Culinary chapter where we hold monthly meetings, students are elected for a position and plan things for our class. Students in the spring get to attend the Indiana conference and compete in different areas like cooking, baking, culinary math, restaurant management, hospitality and tourism.”

FCCLA reached out to several Indiana chapters around the state to help with the Dairy Barn.

“They love volunteer helpers and need them with the hundreds of customers daily,” Boucher said.

Eight students from the New Castle culinary program volunteered to help out this year.

Brennan Trado (HHS), Avery Burge (KHS), Daniel Guthrie (KHS) and Clayton Humphrey are starting their second year with the NCCC Culinary Arts.

Kaylynn Johnson (NCHS), Jackson Trott (KHS), Nicholas Grieve (NCHS), Jasmine Downs (NCHS) are brand new to the program this year.

Boucher said her pupils spent the day making all the classic Dairy Barn grilled cheese sandwiches: Swiss/Rye, Colby/White, American/White, Pepperjack/Sourdough, Muenster/Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread.

This year, they also got to make the new Wafflewich, a creation that puts cheese and waffles together in a most interesting way.

“The students made hundreds of sandwiches,” Boucher said. “I believe one student tried to estimate how many he personally made and a rough count of 864.”

When classes for the 2021-2022 school year start Thursday, Boucher will have 29 culinary arts students.

“That is the most I’ve had since starting teaching,” she said. “I am hoping to introduce new projects and competitions this year. My second year students are going to start a Work-Based Learning experience for Culinary. They will be out in the community working in the industry and still earning Ivy Tech college credits.”

Keep up with the NCCC Culinary Arts program at https://www.facebook.com/ncculinaryarts.

By TRAVIS WEIK editor@thecouriertimes.comAug 4, 2021