We kicked off our mock interview season today with our Cosmetology students. It was a great way for students to begin practicing their professionalism, communication, and interview skills with industry professionals.
A big thank you to our industry partners who took the time to join us, interview students, and help make this experience meaningful by provide valuable feedback to our students. Your support, insight, and partnership help us prepare students for what comes next.
FITE Fire and EMS
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We are so proud of these New Market FITErs for representing FITE well this weekend at Skills USA! All 4 students performed great, and Wilson even took home 2nd place!
Pictured: Breanna, Nolan, Kameron and Wilson.
SkillsUSA Washington
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Behind every successful SkillsUSA chapter is an advisor who shows up, leads, and believes in their students every step of the way—and this year, we’re proud to recognize Rob Anderson of Pierce County Skills Center as our Advisor of the Year.
Rob’s impact goes far beyond the classroom. Through mentorship, encouragement, and real-world preparation, he helps students build confidence and discover what they’re capable of. His dedication is shaping not only skilled professionals, but future leaders.
Thank you, Rob, for everything you do for your students and for the SkillsUSA Washington community. 👏
#SkillsUSAWashington #SkillsUSA #CTE #StudentSuccess #SkilledTrades
Students Working Hard to Prep for AMES Showcase
Students in both classes are preparing capstone projects that showcase the skills they’ve developed throughout the year. Working in student-led teams, they are creating animated short films and original video games inspired by a prompt from the Advanced Media Entertainment Society. This year’s theme, “Everything has a price…,” challenges students to think creatively while applying technical and storytelling skills.
All projects will be entered in the statewide competition this spring. Join us for a special preview of NCTA’s entries at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon. See below for registration details.
Walking into FBLA State like...
On Tuesday, students made a tunnel of celebration to send FBLA off in style 🎉
They will return today around noon and we can't wait to hear their results! Also, Mr. Smith we see you trying to hide on the bus photo.🤣
#fbla #svt #wearesvt #cte #stemschool #stemeducation
Huge shoutout to our 2026 Spokane Scholars! 🎓 These seniors represent the best of the best in academics and the arts across the Spokane area.
SVT Scholars: Sal Kerns-Fine Art, Aile Carter- English, Hazel Moss- Science, and Noah Cook- Math.
We are incredibly proud to have these bright minds representing SVT. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 🏅✨
#SpokaneScholars #SVTPride #CVSD #FutureLeaders #SVT #WereSVT
New Market Skills Center is excited to host our annual Try-a-Trade event on May 7th!
Come visit our campus and get a hands-on look at careers in the construction industry. Students will connect with industry professionals, explore real equipment, and jump into interactive activities.
What you’ll experience:
✔️ Hands-on demonstrations
✔️ Operate heavy cranes & equipment
✔️ Real-world construction activities
Event Details:
📅 May 7, 2026
⏰ 8:30–10:45 AM or 10:45 AM–1:00 PM
📍 New Market Skills Center
Who can attend?
Any student interested in a construction career—no experience needed!
How to register:
Scan the QR code or visit: bit.ly/try-a-trade-sp26-reg
Teachers can register an entire class or program.
⚠️ Students must attend with a chaperone and bring a signed permission slip (sent after registration).
Come build your future with us! 🏗️
#TryATrade #NewMarketSkillsCenter #CareerConnectedLearning #ConstructionCareers #HandsOnLearning #CTE #FutureBuilders
These are the stories we love most at NEWTech; students stepping into our programs, realizing their pathway, and finding success in their careers.
Nathan Erlandsen, a 2020 NEWTech graduate, stopped by class last week. He has gone on to become a world-class GM technician and now works at GMC at Riverfront Park, where he is already earning a six-figure salary.
We are proud him and to have been part of the process for his career growth and success. #connectwithnewtech
In the Allied Health program, students gain hands-on experience through advanced skills practice, patient assessments, and vital sign monitoring. Learning extends beyond the classroom with a visit to Bellingham Technical College, where students explore real medical facilities. A simulated childbirth activity also gives students a powerful glimpse into real-world patient care, highlighting the program’s engaging and career-focused approach.
#Simulatedchildbirth #BTC #facilitestour
Omar, a second-year welding student, has spent the year working four days a week at JK Corporation, sharpening his skills in stainless steel TIG welding. Pictured here at @boisestateuniversity Omar helped build hood enclosures and freezer enclosures for the stadium. #connecteithnewtech #workbasedlearning #weldingfabrication
A huge thank you to our incredible business and industry partners for volunteering your time to participate in our Mock Interview Event last Friday.
Because of your support, our students had the opportunity to experience real-world practice interviews with professionals working in the very industries they are preparing to enter. Your guidance, encouragement, and honest feedback gave our students valuable insight and helped build the confidence they need for their future careers.
We truly appreciate your partnership and your commitment to helping prepare the next generation of skilled professionals.
#CareerReady #SkillsCenter #CommunityPartnership #StudentSuccess
Now we'd love to share SVT's SkillsUSA State update from Sal, our SkillsUSA Adviser/Advanced Manufacturing & Electronics Technology Instructor:
Our students truly embodied "Champions at Work" this past week! 🏆Spokane Valley Tech took 10 students to the SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference, and we are thrilled to announce that they returned with an incredible 12 medals and a newly elected State Officer.
💡The Highlights...
New State Officer: Please join me in congratulating Abby Hill! Abby and I will represent Washington State as part of the State Delegation at Nationals this June.🎉
Triple Medalist: Leela Shah has made school history as SVT’s first-ever triple medalist at a State Conference! 🎖🎖🎖
Photos and Full Results: The energy at the event was electric, and photographers captured every moment. The first photo will show all our winners (some winning in multiple categories). 📸I am incredibly proud of the hard work, technical skill, and leadership these students displayed.
Photos courtesy of WA State SkillsUSA. Thank you Sal for sharing this update. We are proud of our students as well too!! Students, be sure to congratulate your SkillsUSA State winners you see around school.
At NCTA’s See Yourself Here Day on our Anacortes campus, students explored what it’s really like to be part of our Core Plus Construction, Aerospace, and Maritime programs. From hands-on activities to meeting instructors and students, the day was all about discovering pathways and possibilities.
This is more than school—it’s real skills, real experience, and a head start on a career.
Ready to see yourself here?
#SeeYourselfHere #NCTA #CareerReady #CTE #handsontraining
Congratulations to Dylan, a NEWTech and Riverside High School student, for earning 1st place at the Washington State SkillsUSA Championships. This is a tremendous accomplishment and a reflection of his skill, hard work, and commitment to the trade.
We also want to recognize Max, a former NEWTech student and current Riverside High School student, for his strong performance and for representing his school well. We are proud of both students for the way they competed and represented their programs on the state stage.
#SkillsUSA #NEWTechPrep #RiversideHighSchool #CTE #Carpentry #StudentSuccess #WashingtonState
We welcomed 8th grade students to SEATech and Wa-Hi for program tours!
Students had the opportunity to explore our programs, participate in hands-on activities, and connect with our amazing teachers and current students. 🚧 🚓🍎🔩🎥🩺🚜📷🖥️🔬
Get Ready for NCTA’s 5th Annual Kitchen Wars!
Three NCTA Programs Collaborate for Culinary Clash
Mark your calendar for May 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM as Northwest Career and Technical Academy hosts the 5th Annual Kitchen Wars at its campus, 2205 W Campus Pl in Mount Vernon. With only 150 tickets available and a sellout crowd last year, this is an event you will not want to miss.
Kitchen Wars showcases the incredible talent of NCTA students across the Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry, and Money and Business Marketing programs. This year features 18 student teams, including 14 culinary teams and 4 baking and pastry teams, all competing in a high energy, real world restaurant challenge.
Culinary Year Two students take the lead by developing their own restaurant concepts and business plans, then bringing them to life through creative, competition ready dishes. Money & Business students assist by creating marketing plans and organizing this flagship event. Guests can expect an evening full of innovation, flavor, and entrepreneurship while supporting the next generation of industry professionals.
Secure your spot before tickets sell out again!
Tickets - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nctas-kitchen-wars-2026-tickets-1987542084879?aff=ebdssbpointsofinterest
Day 2 of the Penny War and we are off to a strong start. Watt? It looks like Electrical is taking an early lead. Keep those pennies coming and let the competition continue.
April 22, 2026
Assistant Superintendent Chris Gardea and Business Services Director Janette Jeffris provided the Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors with an update on the General Fund budget development for the 2026–2027 school year, highlighting a continued focus on fiscal responsibility amid declining enrollment.
District projections anticipate a decrease of approximately 115 full-time equivalent (FTE) students next year. In response, budget planning efforts have remained closely aligned with enrollment trends, reflecting a multi-year strategy to gradually adjust staffing levels and control expenditures.
Gardea and Jeffris noted that the district’s disciplined financial approach has positioned WWPS to consistently meet the Board’s requirement of maintaining an 8 to 10 percent reserve. This stability has been achieved through thoughtful planning and proactive staffing adjustments over several years.
Looking ahead, enrollment is expected to decline by at least 100 students annually for the next several years. As a result, additional staffing reductions will be necessary. District leaders emphasized that these reductions are being managed strategically, primarily through attrition, by not filling certain positions following retirements or separations. This approach minimizes the need for formal reductions in force.
District leadership also expressed appreciation for staff members who have demonstrated flexibility by taking on new roles and assignments to support evolving operational needs. In addition, bargaining groups were recognized for securing three-year agreements, which provide greater predictability in forecasting expenditures during a period of constrained resources.
Budget development will continue in the coming months, with a final proposal scheduled for Board consideration and approval in July.
Tri-Tech Skills Center
Wow—another amazing GRITT Camp in the books! 💪
We’ve been proud to host this incredible event since 2009, and every year continues to impress. Our campers show up ready to learn and grow, NAWIC volunteers go above and beyond, and the apprentice training programs, members, and apprentices truly make the magic happen.
A special thank you to our Tri-Tech Skills Center behind-the-scenes heroes—Ryan Coe, Will Thompson, Robert Lozano, AJ Spaniel, Ken Kessie, and Tressia Nowlin—we couldn’t do it without you.
Tri-Tech is proud to partner with incredible organizations like GRITT (Girls Rock in the Trades) and the Sodexo Future Chef Competition to create meaningful, hands-on opportunities for students.
#GRITT #GirlsRockInTheTrades #CTEWorks #SkilledTrades #FutureReady #WorkforceDevelopment #WomenInTrades #CareerConnectedLearning #HandsOnLearning #ThankYou #CommunityStrongThank you also to our Tri-Tech behind the scenes heroes, Ryan Coe, Will Thompson, Robert Lozano, AJ Spaniel, Ken Kessie and Tressia Nowlin.
