As you'll see in the many stories that follow, students and teachers in our CTE and Adult Education programs have been very busy this semester!

April brings more opportunities for CTE students to earn industry certifications, state licenses, and Digital Tools certificates. Seniors will be invited to explore career and post-secondary options at the two Beyond: Career and Tech Expos. Students in entrepreneurship classes are completing semester-long projects, and the top ideas at each school will compete at the Pasco Young Entrepreneurs Competition when we wrap up Financial Literacy Month.

Our team continues to be involved in developing business partnerships through our districtwide Career Advisory Council and the Pasco/Hernando Local College Access Network (LCAN). We're advising school-based administrative teams as they prepare for the 2023-2024 school year, with many of them expanding CTE offerings. Before the year is over, we'll be recognizing our outstanding high school and middle school CTE students.

Even as testing for credentials of value is in full swing, students in our CTSOs - like FBLA and SkillsUSA - have been competing in events. JROTC and criminal justice programs are shining in state and national competitions. FFA chapter members - with support from their agriculture teachers - spent most of February at the Florida State Fair and the Pasco County Fair, where many of them won top honors for their Supervised Agriculture Education Projects, including livestock, horticulture and leadership.

While the recognition is wonderful, the real meaning of these honors doesn't escape us: students are mastering standards and truly gaining real-world skills as a result of the learning in which they are engaged in classrooms and labs throughout our county. We are proud of the work being done each and every day, as we continue to see students grow and excel. It's definitely an exciting time to lead this important work!

As always, we are "Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Workforce" and we appreciate your support of our students and schools!

Please feel free to contact us at 813-794-2204, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @PascoCTE!

Stay safe, keep it simple and be well,

Lori Romano, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education

If you are associated with a local business or post-secondary institution, and would like to educate our students about career opportunities within your company or organization, please sign up to attend our BEYOND! Career & Tech Expos. Last year, several businesses hired students at the events! Click HERE to access the online signup form.

Even though the expos are hosted at Fivay High School in Hudson and Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation in Wesley Chapel, senior students from neighboring schools will be participating. See the graphic below for the information being shared at high schools throughout the county.

For more information, email Jen Batchelor at jbatchel@pasco.k12.fl.us.

- submitted by Sam Harmon

Congratulations to Emma Bishop for Winning Best of Breed and Best of Show in the Pasco County Fair Youth Goat Show.

Congratulations to Adrienna Jones for placing first on her record book for the Pasco County Fair Youth Plant Show and Sale. She also placed second in Garden Center Knowledge.

- submitted by Jessica Reagan

- submitted by Jennifer Biedler

• Name one accounting skill.
• How can you use that skill in your life in the future?
• Imagine again that you want to start a business.
• Based on what you have learned, what first step would you take now?
• Name a financial goal that is most important to you.
• How could accounting skills help you achieve that goal?

- submitted by Donna Fraser

Cuban Espresso Panna Cotta, created by Kayden Rothnanusen, Augie Alfonso, Neveah Madrigal and Sam Moore, won second place and the People's Choice Award.

Third place went to Xavier Davenport, Mackenzie Johnson and Janai Gray for their Tropical Island Sunrise.

The young chefs were lead by their amazing Culinary Arts teachers:

• Luis Rodriguez from Anclote High School
• Jessica Cooper and Jeremy Blythe from Land O' Lakes High School
• Marshall Dickerson and Chelsea Dillon from Wiregrass Ranch High School

Special thanks to the team of judges from our business and community partners:

• Jessica Beebe, Owner of Sugardarlings Cupcakes
• Alvaro Hernandez, Pasco County School Board member
• Rick Kurtz, Former Pasco County Schools FNS Director
• Manolis Piliaris, Owner of Sunrise Eatery

- submitted by Kim Taylor

- submitted by Jacqueline Tellez

- submitted by Jennifer Wakeman

- submitted by Jessica Herzek

Drama presentations have become a staple in the classroom, as students love to display their creative style on the stage. As usual, students had the opportunity to be the teacher as they generously helped their fellow classmates. All in all, it was an amazing start to the new semester.

Coming soon: Students of the Month and songs depicting simple present and present continuous. Stay tuned and remember that "English is Easy and Fun!"

- submitted by Rebecca Sandy

• Please share information about your program that you would like considered for the CTAE monthly newsletter (photos, awards, events, certifications, etc.).

• Don't forget that you can email Pam Willoughby (pwilloug@pasco.k12.fl.us) with news and photos you want posted on our social media platforms at any time throughout the month.