Dr. David Ryan, Superintendent
30 Linden Street
Exeter, NH 03833
For Immediate Release
Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Seacoast School of Technology Hosts Sneak Peek Event for Prospective Students
EXETER — High school students throughout the region traveled to the Seacoast School of Technology this week to learn more about career and technical education through its Sneak Peek event.
From Jan. 28-31, sophomores from Epping, Exeter, Newmarket, Raymond, Sanborn Regional and Winnacunnet high schools spent their mornings learning about the different technical education programs available to them at SST, beginning in their junior year.
The annual event coincides with SST’s enrollment season and aims to inform prospective students about courses available to them — free of cost — that run in conjunction with their normal school day. Motivational speaker Ed Gerety also spoke to students about making their dreams come true throughout high school and beyond.
“We want students to be aware of the amazing array of coursework available to them at SST,” said SST Recruitment & Retention Specialist Samantha Tukey. “Our programming enhances students’ regular high school curricula by providing them with real-world technical skills that can be used to further their education in college or set them up for a career following graduation.”
Students enrolled at SST spend 90 minutes of every day at the Exeter campus, with classes offered in the early and late morning and afternoon. Transportation to SST is provided by the sending district, at no extra cost to students.
SST programming includes: Animal and Plant Science, Automotive Technologies, Biomedical Science and Technology, Building Construction Technologies, Careers in Education, Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Digital Media Arts, Health Science Technologies, Marketing Technologies, Pre-Engineering and Welding Technologies.
On Jan. 29, approximately 400 students from Newmarket, Epping, Sanborn Regional, Raymond and Great Bay Charter schools visited SST. Broken into two groups, students either toured their previously selected top two programs, or headed to the gym for Gerety’s interactive presentation. After about an hour, the groups switched and then met back in the gym to ask questions and obtain application information before heading back to their respective schools.
In the Culinary Arts kitchen, Newmarket sophomores Emma Ambrogio, Julia Perry and Abby Henry were finishing their self-decorated cupcakes after having toured the space and sampled student-made pizza and pasta.
All three were excited by the atmosphere at SST and impressed by students’ attitudes and drive for education. Ambrogio planned to apply for SST’s Careers in Education program.
“It’s a really good opportunity for all students to have and it’s fun to see how people adapt and expand on a career that they love,” Perry said. “I love seeing everyone enjoying being here and doing what they love.”
In Animal and Plant Science, Sanborn Regional High School sophomore Scott Peltier was checking out some of the many animals students study in the shop, including fish, birds, rabbits and even a chinchilla.
“One of the things I love most is animals,” he said. “I want to study and learn how they work, so I can take care of my own animals. The programs here are very solid and easy to understand. It seems like you could have a lot of fun working here.”
Over in the gym, Gerety led students through a hands-on presentation, speaking to them about maintaining a positive growth mindset, which will in turn lead to success in and out of the classroom.
As students move through life, he urged them to set a goal and make it happen by following three key principles.
1. Surround yourself with positive people. “One of the greatest influences in life is the company we keep,” Gerety said. “So when we have a choice, we surround ourselves with positive people who respect our choices and beliefs.”
2. Surround yourself with positive things. “Create a dream board,” Gerety suggested. “It’s not a collage of pretty pictures. This is an opportunity to think about, ‘where do I want to go, what do I want to be? What kind of trade am I going to have to master to go and create that?’ It starts right here, right now.”
3. Be curious. “Where do you want to go and who do you want to become?” Gerety asked students. Once students determine their goal, he explained, they should visualize it, reinforce it and make it happen.
Students interested in applying to one of SST’s 12 programs can do so online here. Anyone with questions should contact Tukey at stukey@sau16.org or 603-775-8461.
About Seacoast School of Technology:
The Seacoast School of Technology is the regional Career and Technical Center serving high school students from Epping, Exeter, Newmarket, Raymond, Sanborn Regional and Winnacunnet high schools.
SST offers selective coursework preparing students for their lives after high school – college, workforce or the military. Many of their 12 programs allow students to earn college credit and industry-recognized certifications while fulfilling their high school graduation requirements. Most importantly, students get the opportunity to explore areas of interest in a hands-on environment with state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology.
To find out more, visit seacoasttech.com.
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