By Paige Lambert
Gabriella Ortegon opened the door to her biomedical class at Hays High School and saw a crime scene strewn all over the room. Over the next few weeks, the class used the fake scene to work towards certifications in the Career & Technical Education program.
The program allows high school students to obtain career-focused certifications while working on a diploma. The courses provide real life experience and training to fully operate in their chosen field, whether it is welding or cosmetology.
“It was exciting for me because it was such a hands on class and that’s something I benefit from,” Ortegon, Hays High sophomore, said.
Within three years the program has jumped from 11 certifications to 1,916, CTE director Suzie Mitchell said.
She said the program skyrocketed because the district realized students aren’t always going straight to college.
“We are trying to make sure everyone walks out of here college and/or career ready,” Mitchell said.
The district has expanded the program in many facets. Mitchell said the school board has allotted $35,000 for advancements and to help levy the cost of certification tests.
The bond passed in 2014 also included funding for a welding shop at Lehman, which is planned to open in August, she said. The shop will bring all of Hays certification options to Lehman, except auto mechanics.
Miranda Elise, who will teach medical billing and coding next year, said she has seen students from other districts succeed with certifications obtained during high school.
“Right out of school they can have a career when a lot of these kids are still figuring out if they want to do college,” Elise said. “Plus, with the medical field you are always going to have work.”
Students get a chance to examine every aspect of a career they are interested in. The cosmetology program functions as a real salon and the students manage the bulk of it, said Hair by Hays instructor Gabriel Lopez.
“They not only learn the business behind the chair, but the marketing and retail side of it too, to help increase their pay checks,” Lopez said. “The more things you know, the more you can help your clients.”
The certifications not only give students a foot in the door for a career but also help them find a better paying job while in college, Mitchell said.
“A lot of them want to go to college, but this will give them a career to pay for it,” Mitchell said. “They can make $25 an hour instead of minimum wage because they have a certification.”
The biomedical courses cumulate with Advanced Placement tests as well. The tests result in college credit in addition to any certifications they get.
The program is projected to grow by 20 percent next year and introduce more certifications, Mitchell said.
Whether students are preparing for years of college or want an alternative route to success, the program will propel them in the right direction, she said.
“I’m using this as a preparation class to go into college and get more into the field and pediatrics,” Ortegon said. “But say I didn’t want to be a pediatrician, I’ll have another idea of what I could do.”
