
DATE: Sunday, September 21, 1997            TAG: 9709190372

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: COVER STORY 

SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  176 lines

TECHNICALLY, IT'S 30 CHESAPEAKE'S CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STAYS CURRENT, CHURNS OUT PREPARED STUDENTS.

SOME THINGS NEVER change.

In 1967, a newspaper article said the administrators at the new Chesapeake Technological Center acted pleased if not a little smug about their new facility.

As the staff and students celebrate three decades of growth and changes, they are still proud and still a little smug about their accomplishments and achievements. Six principals, thousands of students, a name change and 30 years later, the description at the now Chesapeake Center for Science and Technology, which is part of the Chesapeake Public Schools, has not changed much.

``We just keep maintaining the right formula and the chemistry for success,'' boasted William O. Joe, the Center's newest principal. ``And this year is going to be an evaluation year to insure we stay on the right track.''

Joe said administrators, the school board and city council members would examine whether to encourage the growth of a magnate science program or push toward a stronger vocational and technical curriculum.

``But we will always make sure our courses are current with industry and job-market needs,'' Joe said. ``Our purpose is to provide training, skills and opportunity for young adults.''

Recently, Joe decorated the front lawn with the school's mascot, pink flamingos. Later, he and the staff poured over scrap books and munched birthday cake as they reminisced the years and looked ahead.

Although other trade schools were operating in Virginia, the $1.5 million, 30-acre Cedar Road location was the first in the state designed and built especially to house and teach vocational occupations to high-school students.

In August 1967, 250 Chesapeake students attended their home schools for a block of academic classes, then traveled to the center for a three-hour session to learn a trade.

Now, 465 students from the six area high schools attend morning or afternoon classes. Instead of just automotives, there is automotive painting, automotive specialist, automotive technician and collision repair technology courses. Data processing has been replaced with specialized computer courses, and horticulture has been dropped, while landscape design and management has been added.

Some of the newest programs include radio communications, television communications, veterinary science and biotechnology. And Joe's plans include a push for an increase in enrollment, more involvement in the community and additional state-of-the-art courses.

``You can also save time and money by starting here,'' said Kathy Jones, a practical nursing instructor.

She explained that while students are taking anatomy and human growth and development, they are also earning college credits in an arrangement with Tidewater Community College.

And in a cooperative work program between the school and the business community, the Industrial Cooperative Technical Program places students in work and internship experiences. Director Ron Miller said 50 local employers hired or provided internship positions, and students performed about 13,830 hours of work last year.

``But students don't just walk into a program,'' he said. ``They have to apply and have recommendations and skills. Many courses also have prerequisites like math and science. For example, air conditioning and refrigeration requires alegebra I.''

Dorothy Sawyer, the center's media specialist for 15 years, said every student is required to complete two projects: they have to write a career-related research paper using the library's materials, computer and CD-ROM resources, and they have to complete a computer-composed resume.

``When the graduates are ready for the work force, they are not only prepared with job skills but they have interview and resume training,'' Sawyer said. ``Plus many of our students go into more advanced training programs or to college, and they are prepared with computer, study and research skills.''

Regina Artz, a nursing instructor, said the nursing program has a 95 percent pass rate because of the strong emphasis and preparation for the Virginia State Nursing Board exams. Artz also bragged that local nursing homes and health care organizations call the school to interview their graduates, and that the department has an almost 100 percent job-placement record.

Later, around the lunch table the boasting continued:

In 1994, a video made by students won second place in a national television production contest.

Nathan Williams and Ray Hollowell's automotive classes are already pondering the undertaking of another electric car. Sponsored by Virginia Power, the 1994-1995 classes, with the help of students from other departments, designed and built a totally electric vehicle. In an East Coast competition, the car won first place in the acceleration category.

``It's a tremendous project,'' said Williams. ``But of course, we can do it.''

Last year, a female student in Mike Johnson's auto paint and collision repair class won first place at the Virginia State Fair for job skill demonstration, and several cabinetmaking students placed third in a national competition.

Back in his classroom, Tom Spencer, an engineering instructor, touted ``We are doing the same work that first-year engineers do,'' as he demonstrated how his students draft blueprints and study structure and design. ``Some second-semester students even go to Old Dominion University for some of their work. And our high-school students hold their own in the college classes.''

``I like the work because it's hands on and it gave me a chance to see if engineering is for me,'' said Creighton Barnes, 17, of Great Bridge. ``I've decided to concentrate on computer engineering.''

The Center seems to have a knack for keeping talent. Philip Kramer has spent 30 years building walls at the center. He was a Deep Creek student in the first masonry class. After graduation, he returned as a substitute teacher and in 1976, Kramer became the instructor.

``It was the scariest day of my life when I started out with a small teaching plan. Now, I've advanced to computers and software and it's an incredible experience,'' Kramer said. ``But what I like even more is that kids learn job-entry skill plus good work habits and ethics.''

Kramer has a morning class of ``special needs'' students who get almost individual attention as they learn about mortar and blocks, how to follow directions and to stay on task.

``When they leave here they are ready to work,'' Kramer said. ``And besides a job skill which is in demand, they have also picked up more self-esteem, self-confidence and a good attitude.''

``I know I'm going to be ready for a job and to make my own money,'' said Terrance Knight, 17, of Oscar Smith.

Across the hall, students in Jim Jumpa's electronics class learn how to repair VCRs, computers, televisions and appliances.

``It's a great field and good job market to go into,'' said Cary Simpson, 17, of Indian River who said he would probably continue his education. And if he does, he'll take almost 20 hours of college credit with him.

Andrea Lacey's television communication department resembles a major film studio. The students operate cameras, editing equipment and produce and serve as the crew for several television programs which are shown on Channel 23, located on the campus.

Recently, Salita Brooks, 17, of Oscar Smith and Brian Oglesby, 18, of Deep Creek, juggled cameras and discussed angles as they worked on an assignment to film the school while at the rear of the campus, a radio crew was busy.

``Good afternoon and you are listening to WFOS-FM 88.7, and the sounds of swing,'' said Melanie Johnson, 17, as she introduced Virginia's first public school FM station which has been broadcasting from the Center for 12 years.

Johnson, of Great Bridge, and Tricia Hanshaw, 17, of Western Branch, manned the broadcasting booth after learning FCC regulations, equipment and some engineering skills.

``No doubt about it,'' said Johnson as she slid in a disc and announced the next musical selection. ``This is going to be my career.''

Kim Perrot and Coretta Basnight also started their professional life at the Center. They were cosmetology students in the 1970s and went on to own or operate private salons. Fifteen years later, they returned as instructors.

``We are lucky because most of our students chose to be here and they are working in their areas of interest.'' said Judy Eaves, who has been teaching for 25 years and who taught Perrot and Basnight. ``Our students represent us well.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos including color cover by CHARLIE MEADS

As a surprise to his students, Principal William O. Joe planted a

school yard full of flamingos. The pick character was once chosen as

a spoof and later stuck as the school mascot at the Chesapeake

Center for Science & Technology.

Chris Jones, left, and Terrance Knight build a brick wall during a

morning masonry class. ``I know I'm going to be ready for a job and

to make my own money,'' said Knight, 17.

Anshanta Ammons, left, and Erv Noblett take advantage of the

school's state-of-the-art equipment in the television communications

class.

``We will always make sure our courses are current with industry and

job-market needs,'' said William O. Joe, who started this year as