November was a flurry of events. The month started off with Veterans Day Nov. 13. Students honored the veterans within the building, recently retired Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School retired staff and guests. Current staff includes: Michael Galler and Sergio Rivas. Retired Instructors included: Stan Dixon, Vincent Facchiano, and Chuck Wernett. Other guests included: Corporal Erick Gandia and Staff Sergeant Matt Thom.

During the ceremony a video was shown in honor of Joe Baddick’s son, an Army Sgt. Andrew Joseph Baddick, Army Airborne, died Sept. 29, 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom, saving the life of another soldier. Joe wrote a book in honor of his son, “My Hero, My Son,” published in December 2009.

In addition the members of the Harry F.W. Johnson American Legion Post #379 joined the ceremony with a 21-gun salute and “Taps.” Members of the Legion were: John Bracali, Air Force; Vinny Foti, Navy; Norm Koch, Navy; Joe Herkalo, Air Force; Steve Mitala, Army; Ken Nichol, Marines; Jim Reese, Army; Bob Sedlock, Navy; Craig Sostarecz, Navy; Mike Tagliareni, Navy; Wayne Verzbicki, Army.

SkillsUSA students participated in the Professional Development Conference at Camelback. This conference provides students with intensive training in essential employment and leadership skills.

During this two-day, overnight event, over 160 students attend workshops and seminars on topics such as etiquette, nonverbal communication, dressing for success, interviewing skills, community service, and teamwork. It also provides a unique opportunity for students from all five area career and technical schools to interact and network. The career cluster sessions are particularly beneficial because students meet area professionals in their future trade to get a real world view of what to expect when they enter the workforce.

Another activity at the event included the student ambassadors assembling birthday kits for homeless children through Valley Youth House to supply cake mix, icing, plates, napkins, forks, balloons, streamers and more. The group provided 20 kits for the youth.

Students throughout the building, with the assistance of the outside assembled 112 turkey meals to be provided to families within the three sending districts of Bethlehem Area, Northampton Area and Saucon Valley. Students assembled the meals and delivered them Wednesday, Nov. 22 to those in need. The initiative is a group effort spearheaded by John Karb of the Protective Services Program.

This was another great day for the Health Careers students at Bethlehem AVTS. These 10 students began their career in various areas of health care at SLUHN on various campuses. To say we are proud is an understatement. This is Career and Technical Education at its best.

Students from the Health Careers class also began their shadow experiences at LVHN-Hecktown Oaks campus. Each week students will shadow various areas of the hospital, including the OR, ED, sterile processing and pre-op, just to name a few. Classroom meets real world experience. Many thanks to Nina Pardoe for volunteering to supervise these students.

Lastly, students and staff from the Precision Machining program toured Tyber Medical. Tyber Medical LLC, is an orthopedic device manufacturer addressing the industry’s need for rapid access to FDA cleared and CE Marked implants in the spine and extremity/trauma markets. Focused on rapid commercialization and bioengineered technology platforms, the company has released 14 spine and 25 trauma/extremity systems since its founding in 2012. Students had an opportunity to walk the facility and see a wire Electrical Discharge Machine, and Computer Numerical Control Swiss Lathe and their parts and processing.

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