A-B Tech Students Land Youth Advocacy Internships
A-B Tech students Lisa Cook and Tina Mortier will participate in the North Carolina State Government Internship Program. The program is run by the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office of the North Carolina Department of Administration.
According to the Governor's office, 600 students from 82 counties and 79 post-secondary institutions applied for this year's internships. Through a competitive selection process overseen by the North Carolina Internship Council, a total of 80 students were selected to work in projects in 18 departments and 41 divisions. Six of those students were from the North Carolina Community College System. Students are paid $8.25 an hour for their jobs, which take them across North Carolina to perform a wide range of important tasks.
Cook is a student in the college transfer program. She will be a sea turtle research and education specialist at Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro. The internship is through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
"I found out about this internship opportunity while taking a class with Sun Chae (Humanities and Fine Arts instructor)," she said. "I had been looking for an internship for some time. My goal was to find something that I could get paid doing."
Over the summer, Cook will be staying on Bear Island at Hammocks Beach State Park. "During the early morning hours, another intern and I will patrol the beach on foot or by ATV," she said. "We will tag loggerhead sea turtles that are nesting for the first time and monitor the nesting sites. A count of the hatchlings will also be taken.
"I just thought this would be a great opportunity for me. I think staying on the beach for the summer, riding on four-wheelers, and playing with sea turtles, and getting paid for it, is awesome," she said.
Cook hopes to work in medicine and although this internship may not be working in healthcare, she still will gain experience in field biology.
Mortier is a student in the criminal justice program and will be an intern at the Marion Correctional Institute at Marion. The internship is through the Department of Corrections. She will be a case manager at the prison. She also found out about the internship opportunity through Chae.
"It seems like it's going to be really interesting," Mortier said. "My goal was to find a career in probation/parole. Now that I know this job exists, I realize it has some similarities to my career interests. I will interview inmate clients and help try to set them up in programs designed to help them while incarcerated and when they get released. I will also help get them into programs that will help them cope with life on the 'outside' after being incarcerated for so long. I will also be cross training with other departments in order to get the big picture of corrections," she said, "I am really excited about this opportunity."
Foundation Scholarship Recipients Profiles
Funding for A-B Tech Foundation Scholarships comes from a variety of sources. Eleven students are featured this month through different scholarships.
Sarah Schober
Sarah Schober received the French Broad Garden Club Scholarship to assist her in earning her associate's degree in biotechnology. She will also be graduating with an associate of science degree. She plans to pursue a degree in biology from UNCA with a concentration in cell and molecular biology. "My ultimate goal is to perform medical research on a molecular level," she wrote.
Karen Jones
Karen Jones is the recipient of the John and Leona Graham Scholarship and is in the Associate Degree Nursing program. "I look forward to the day when I obtain my RN license and am able to give back to the community what it has given me," she wrote. "I want to help people both physically and emotionally, by being a mentor and encouraging those who seem to be down on their luck."
Jerry Vernon
Jerry Vernon received the Lacy T. Haith and James V. Miller Endowed Scholarship and is enrolled in the Office Systems Technology program. "By graduating with a college degree, I am assured that a bright future is waiting for me in business or computer technology on the horizon," he wrote. "At some point later when I have finished studies for an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree will be my next goal."
Ashley Hawes
Ashley Hawes received the Hospitality Education Tips Scholarship and recently graduated with her degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. "It wasn't until late 2003 that I realized I had a passion for the hospitality industry and felt I should follow that career path," she wrote. "Eventually, I made my way to A-B Tech, where I had heard that the hospitality programs were excellent.
Katie Hogan
Katie Hogan received the Hospitality Education Tips Scholarship and recently graduated with a Culinary Arts degree. "I am hoping that after I graduate that I may open a bed and breakfast or a catering company," she wrote. "Also, my goal is to eventually work in the mission field using my culinary skills and elementary education skills."
Sharon Smith
Sharon Smith is the recipient of the Mountain Renaissance Adventure Faire Scholarship. She recently graduated with associate degrees in Electronics Engineering Technology and Computer Engineering Technology while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. "Teaching beginning engineering students the principles of electronics and computers will be worthwhile and rewarding," she wrote.
Anne White
Anne White received the North Buncombe Extension Community Association Scholarship to assist her in becoming a licensed practical nurse. "I am presently leaning towards a career in home health care," she wrote. "I am convinced that I could excel in a career in nursing, making the kind of contributions that make me feel whole as a person."
Christopher Fagan
Christopher Fagan is the recipient of the North Carolina Retired School Personnel Scholarship. He recently received his Associate Degree in Nursing, and plans on moving to Chapel Hill to work in the University of North Carolina hospital system. After receiving more education, he would like to work in adolescent psychiatry. "I have always wanted to work in a long-term care psychiatric facility with teenagers and pre-teens," he wrote.
Mary Barnette
Mary Barnette received the North Carolina State Trust Fund Scholarship. She graduated from the Associate Degree Nursing program in May. "After obtaining a position serving in an RN capacity, I hope to have training in the Hispanic culture, including learning to speak Spanish," she wrote. "I hope to keep my nursing skills honed by attending continuing education courses."
Isolde Curry
Isolde Curry received the North Carolina State Trust Fund Scholarship. She is a recent Criminal Justice Technology graduate with plans to purse a career in that field. "Volunteering in several community projects has given me the opportunity to help many people and to see how important community service is," she wrote. "Getting a job in my chosen field of study will help me further my intended opportunity to give back to my community as well as support my family financially."
Stephanie Pressley
Stephanie Pressley received the North Carolina State Trust Fund Scholarship. She is studying nursing with plans to eventually earn a master's degree. "I want to learn as much as possible so that I can become the best possible nurse I can become," she wrote. "I do realize the best way to learn is to practice and I believe that through these educational programs and clinical practice I can learn and put the knowledge to use."
A-B Tech Graduate Misses Commencement for New Zealand
President K. Ray Bailey presents Networking Technology Graduate Jacob LaBerge with his degree a few days before commencement because LaBerge is moving to New Zealand to be with his wife and son. Translating for LaBerge, who is profoundly deaf, is Liz Langrall.
Jacob LaBerge earned all his credits to get his degree in Networking Technology. He was a recipient of an A-B Tech Foundation scholarship, and he worked hard to get good grades. However, he was not able to walk across the stage at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium during graduation. He was getting ready to leave for New Zealand.
LaBerge had to get his visa so he could join his wife and son halfway across the world. "My wife is a Kiwi," he said, through interpreter Liz Langrall. "She is attending college in chemical engineering."
He met his wife in 1996 through the Internet. They married seven years ago and have a 5 year-old son. Once he visited New Zealand, he knew he wanted to move there. "I fell in love with that country," LaBerge said.
Once he gets to New Zealand, he plans to take a well-deserved rest. "I am profoundly deaf, so I have to work harder to get good grades and it takes a lot of my time," he said.
After he sees the sights, he will look for a job, possibly with his father-in-law at an electric company where there is a great need for network administrators. "All the skills and experiences I have learned and will learn from A-B Tech will be an advantage for me to work at the job, and to help others as well," he said. "I am glad I attended here."
LaBerge was especially grateful to Networking Technology and Cisco Instructors Lewis Lightner, chair of the department; Bill Wolfe and Steven Marcus. "They are wonderful, supportive professors," he said.
Wachovia Scholarship Presented
Robby Russell, Community Market President for Wachovia Bank, and A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey congratulate student Alfred Shiver (center) on his selection for the Wachovia Technical Scholarship. Shiver, a radiography student, graduated May 12. The Wachovia Technical Scholarship was established during the 1983-84 school year and is valued at $500.