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Gearing Up for Summer Fun 2019

Posted on March 5, 2019 by webadmin

Summer Fun at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) in Willow Grove will run from June 24 to July 12, 2019. This popular three-week program is for current students in grades 6 through 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The cost is $250. Registration brochures will be sent to students in March, and online registration will open on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at 6 a.m. – www.eastech.org/summerfun.

Summer Fun 2019 programs include Art of Fashion, Auto Mechanics & Collision Repair, Computer Art and Digital Photography, Crime Scene Investigation, Drawing and Painting, Junior Chef, Junior Cosmetology, Pastry Boss, Video Game Programming, and World of Construction.

Through EASTERN’s Summer Fun program, students get the opportunity to work with the latest technologies while having fun and learning new things. Parents and guardians of the students attending Summer Fun are invited on Friday, July 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to see a variety of activities students worked on during Summer Fun. Some of the activities include photography and art exhibits, sample foods prepared by the students, and construction projects.

EASTERN has been offering a summer enrichment opportunity for middle school students for more than 30 years. If transportation is needed, please contact your district transportation office to see if your district can accommodate.

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EASTERN Alumni Spotlight: Ron Eberz, Welding Technology

Posted on March 15, 2019 by webadmin

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) 2011 Welding Technology and Hatboro-Horsham High School alumni, Ron Eberz, has been enjoying a successful career with Donjon Marine in Port Newark, New Jersey as a Commercial Diver.

After graduation from EASTERN and Hatboro-Horsham High School, Eberz worked as a welder for five years before attending school at the Ocean Corporation in Houston, Texas. He completed his Commercial Divers Certification in September 2017. He chose this certification to keep his career options open. For the past year, he has been working for Donjon Marine as a Salvage Diver which includes deep water diving for lost items, including sail boats and planes.

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EASTERN Student Spotlight: Hannah Sebenick, Cosmetology

Posted on March 5, 2019 by webadmin

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) Cosmetology/Springfield Township High School senior, Hannah Sebenick, was the first ever EASTERN student to compete in the SkillsUSA District Competition in the Esthetics category. EASTERN is proud to announce that Hannah earned the gold medal for her special effects makeup out of a total of seven competitors from other career and technical high schools.

The comprehensive competition consisted of a written test, a facial, daytime makeup application, and the final portion was the fantasy makeup application. The theme for the fantasy makeup application was “optical illusion.” With her makeup design in mind, she chose a Cosmetology classmate, Carlie Kirschen, Upper Moreland High School senior, as her model.

Knowing that her future was going to be in the arts, Hannah initially considered the Commercial Art program at EASTERN. The television show, Face Off, where special effects make-up artists participate in elaborate challenges for a grand prize, inspired her to go another artistic route. She felt that preparation for her career path would be better suited with the skills attained in Cosmetology. She still holds a strong interest in fine arts and takes advantage of all the art programs available at Springfield Township High School. Choosing Cosmetology gave her the best of both worlds.

On Halloween, the Cosmetology students participated in a special effects makeup competition. EASTERN’s Automotive Technology and Collision Repair Technology Instructional Aide/Skills Advisor, Tori Penecale, suggested that Hannah compete in the Esthetics SkillsUSA competition. EASTERN’s Cosmetology Instructor, Wendy Leyden, noted that she had never had a student compete for this specific competition. After seeing Hannah’s high scores in esthetics on the NOCTI test, a battery of assessments or standardized tests for students studying career and technical programs in high schools, they decided to sign Hannah up for the competition.

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The EASTERN Community says Goodbye to Bill Lotz

Posted on March 5, 2019 by webadmin

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) supporter and career and technical education advocate, Bill Lotz, on February 28, 2019.

In 1988, Lotz, a well-known and respected member of the business community, was recruited to serve on EASTERN’s Local Advisory Committee. Mr. Lotz remained on the committee and provided insight and leadership that has propelled EASTERN’s advisory committee structure to one of the most respected models in the Commonwealth.

In 1994, Bill was elected Chairperson of the Local Advisory Committee — a position he held until November 2008. The committee has since been renamed the Executive Advisory Committee. Bill participated in the first Strategic Plan undertaken at EASTERN and two subsequent strategic planning cycles. He served as a member of the Steering Committee for these efforts. Under his leadership, the following significant events have taken place:

• The development of two new programs – Protective Services and Allied Health.
• The restructuring of the EAC into a subcommittee structure that has been extremely effective.
• The development and refinement of a sophisticated program review and planning process that is key to maintaining program quality.
• The development of the Student Warranty Program—the first in the Commonwealth.
• The development of an Occupational Advisory Committee self-assessment process.
• The creation of EASTERN’s Foundation dedicated to raising money to provide scholarships and awards to EASTERN’s students.

Having completed his own carpentry apprenticeship as a young man, he firmly believed in the importance of career and technical programs. From 1988 through his retirement in 2009, Mr. Lotz provided EASTERN with expertise, guidance and candid insights that were greatly appreciated and respected.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Tuesday from 9:00 A.M. until his Funeral Mass 10:30 A.M. in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 1500 Marian Rd. Abington, PA 19001. His Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology, 3075 Terwood Rd. Willow Grove, PA 19090.

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EASTERN Students Win Big at SkillsUSA District Competition

Posted on February 11, 2019 by webadmin

First place Esthetics winner, Hannah Sebenick and her model, Carlie Kirschen from Upper Moreland High School.

Thirty-six students from the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) won medals in skill areas or leadership at the SkillsUSA District Competitions held January 24 through February 1, 2019 at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology. First-place winners will represent EASTERN at the state-level competitions to be held April 10 – 12, 2019 in Hershey, PA. SkillsUSA is a national student leadership organization that encourages career and technical students to be productive individuals in our democratic society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medalists from EASTERN are:

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EASTERN Alumni Spotlight: Joe Riggs, Electrical Technology

Posted on February 8, 2019 by webadmin

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) 2002 Electrical Technology and Bishop McDevitt High School alumni, Joe Riggs, has enjoyed a successful career with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 126. After completing the Electrical Technology program in high school, he continued his education in EASTERN’s four-year electrical apprenticeship program.

Riggs always knew he wanted a career in the building trades. He took a tour of EASTERN while in 10th grade and chose Electrical Technology. He excelled in the program and was involved in the student leadership organization – winning first place in the local electrical competition and competing at the state level. With the help of his EASTERN instructor, Rick Fiorentino, he was selected to work for an electrician part-time while in high school.
“I have restored power on almost every major storm/disaster since joining the IBEW Local 126 – traveling all over the country to do so,” said Riggs. “In the last 10 years I feel like I haven’t worked a single day because of how much I love what I do. I have a great life thanks to EASTERN.”

Electrical Technology training will provide the essential hands-on and safety skills that a student needs to pursue a rewarding career in the electrical construction industry. This two-year multi-faceted career program enables the student to learn the basics of electricity as well as residential and commercial wiring, data cabling and basic fiber optic installation. To learn more about Electrical Technology, please visit www.eastech.org/eastern-programs/ele.

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EASTERN Alumni Spotlight: Dante Newman, Protective Services

Posted on January 23, 2019 by webadmin

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) 2016 Protective Services and Upper Moreland High School alumni, Dante Newman, is a volunteer firefighter for the Willow Grove Fire Company – Engine 10. He returned to EASTERN on January 10 to assist EASTERN’s Protective Services Instructor, Mark Zaslavsky, with a lesson regarding proper ladder safety and carrying techniques used in firefighting.

Newman has been a volunteer member of the Willow Grove Fire Company since he was 16 years old. Now 21, he is still passionate about the field. As a sophomore in high school, he found out about the Protective Services program at EASTERN, and knew that would help him improve his skills and learn more about the field.

Newman wanted to give back to EASTERN, so he reached out to the Protective Services instructor to see if he could assist with the firefighting portion of the curriculum. Ladder carrying techniques are required for firefighters to learn and follow because time and safety are the highest priorities in emergency situations.

“The Protective Services program gave me more confidence in my career choice,” said Newman. “You learn about several career fields in one class – firefighting, police and EMT. It is a great opportunity to learn and experience real-world scenarios while in high school.”

Protective Services is a multi-disciplined program developed in consultation with a countywide advisory committee of law enforcement, fire science, security professionals and post-secondary institutions. Detailed instruction is provided on leadership, criminal, motor vehicle crash and fire investigation, first responders, security systems, terrorism, firefighting, hazardous materials and emergency communications.

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EASTERN Alumna Spotlight: Mariel Bria, Commercial Art

Posted on January 22, 2019 by webadmin

(left to right) Mariel Bria and Ms. Nicole Mohrey

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) 2016 Commercial Art and Abington Senior High School alumna, Mariel Bria is half-way through her junior year at East Stroudsburg University where she is completing her degree in Recreation and Tourism Management. Due to her hard work and diligence, she will graduate a semester early in December of 2019. She has already secured a summer internship with Plymouth Township Parks and Recreation Department where she will assist in the planning of summer activities.

Bria chose the Commercial Art program at EASTERN after scheduling a personal tour. She had a strong interest in art, illustration in particular, and wanted to learn more about careers in the Commercial Art field. With the marketing and presentation skills she obtained through her Commercial Art program, she decided to pursue Recreation and Tourism Management in college. Although not the typical route taken by Commercial Art students, Bria felt that many of the skills she acquired were transferable to the marketing, promotions and management fields.

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