Tag: #CTE

Students Turnout for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Showcase

April 13, 2026 By Dana Caputo

Students from middle and high schools across St. Lucie County competed in the CTE Showcase. The student projects were focused on entrepreneurship categories which included 3D printed and Welded Fair, Ecommerce Products & Services, New Food Truck Concept, and the middle school entrepreneurship project. The students were dressed to impress, meticulously prepared their presentation boards, and wowed the judges. Thank you to our sponsors, judges, and volunteers: ATax, Certification Partners, Knowledge Pillars, Learning Labs, Heather and Harold Rutledge, Strather Dupree-ATax, Harold Rutledge-Learning Labs, Melissa Hancock, Gina McCants-Sunshine Kitchen, Donna Laudisio-NADDA, Rick Kirk-Texas Roadhouse, Lisa Cobb-Youth Empowered to Prosper, Tom Lange-Knowledge … Read More

Classrooms2Careers: Careers in Law, Public Defenders Office

March 9, 2026 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

High school students from St. Lucie Public Schools interested in becoming lawyers or pursuing careers in the legal field were recently invited to participate in a career information session and tour with the Public Defender’s Office. This opportunity was made possible through the support of SLPS Career Coaches, who work to connect students with real-world career exploration experiences. Assistant Public Defender (Felony Division Head) Stephen Hooper hosted the visit and led a comprehensive session on pathways into the legal profession. He discussed what it takes to become a lawyer, shared his personal journey to becoming a licensed attorney, and highlighted … Read More

Classrooms2Careers: Smithsonian Marine Station

March 9, 2026 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

High school students from across St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) had the opportunity to participate in a behind‑the‑scenes tour and information session at the Smithsonian Marine Station. This special Classrooms2Careers experience introduced students to a variety of marine science career pathways and real-world research happening right here on the Treasure Coast. Seven students from Treasure Coast High School (joined by Industrial Biotechnology teacher: Mr. John Williams) and St. Lucie West Centennial High School attended the session, where they explored several cutting-edge research areas, including: Chemical Ecology Benthic Ecology Everglades Restoration Projects Coral Reef Research During the visit, students heard directly … Read More

Welding Technologies Brings in Field Inspector at Performance Based Preparatory Academy

March 9, 2026 By KEVIN HOLZAPFEL

We had a visitor come to our Welding Technology class at Performance Based Preparatory Academy. Joey Graham, a welding instructor at Blue Origin and Welding Inspector, came to visit the welding program to talk to the students about what it is like to be in the welding field. All the students took great interest in all the information that Mr. Joey had to offer. As Mr. Joey went through his presentation, he asked the students why they wanted to be a welder. The question was brought up because of the common phrase that always goes around in the welding community, … Read More

Classrooms2Careers: Marine & Maritime Career Expo

March 9, 2026 By LEINITIA ROBINSON

Students from St. Lucie Public Schools recently had the chance to explore exciting future opportunities at the 2026 Chart Your Course: Marine & Maritime Career Expo. Held in February, the event was made possible through the ongoing collaboration between the Fort Pierce Yacht Club Foundation and St. Lucie Public Schools. Aligned with the Classrooms2Careers initiative, the expo introduced both 8th graders and high school students to a wide variety of careers connected to the marine and maritime fields. Throughout the day, students met with local businesses, industry experts, and post‑secondary partners. Exhibitors provided hands‑on activities, interactive demonstrations, and informative sessions … Read More

Culinary Students at the PSL Citizens Summit

February 16, 2026 By Dana Caputo

Culinary Arts students from Port St. Lucie High School and Northport K-8 cooked and served the community at the PSL Citizens Summit. Northport student creations were fabulous, delicious, and included chocolate-banana parfaits, wild berry parfaits, chicken and waffles, espresso and blueberry donuts, and blueberry waffle cupcakes. While Port St. Lucie High School student dishes were delicious and a huge hit, Chipotle BBQ Chicken, Pickled Red Onion, Queso Fresca, and House Crema tacos. Everything was made in-house from BBQ sauce, pickled onions, to crema. Chef Sassano said, “The students delivered on expectations”. Big thanks to Chef Kevin Sassano and Chef Tiffany … Read More

Culinary Students Compete at the Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff

November 3, 2025 By Dana Caputo

Five outstanding high school culinary arts students competed at the Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff in Fort Pierce. Each high school student was paired with an Indian River State Culinary Institute student to form a team for the event. Each team made Mac N Cheese and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches adding their own spices, flavors, accompaniments, and flair to the recipes. Big thanks to our judges Chef Leslie Moyers, Indian River Estates Assisted Living Facility, Chef Jacques Larson, Crane Club at Tesoro Port St. Lucie, Pam McNair, Chef, Food Service Coordinator, Serve Safe Instructor & Proctor Examiner, Chef Mike Febre, True Roots Catering, … Read More

Culinary Students Cook at Cinco de Mayo

July 7, 2025 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie Public Schools Culinary students from Northport K-8, Fort Pierce Westwood High, and Port St. Lucie High prepared a Cinco de Mayo feast for Monarch Country Club members. Students researched the recipes and worked with the head chef to create the menu and ingredient lists. Students prepped and cooked in Monarch’s commercial kitchen, then served their dishes to members and their guests in the dining room. Thank you to Chef James Quade, Samantha Delaski-Membership Director, Chef Tiffany Tredor-Northport K-8, Chef Jeanne Gray-Fort Pierce Westwood, and Chef Kevin Sassano-Port St. Lucie High, for their guidance and dedication to this event.

Port St. Lucie High Hosts Skilled Trades Advisory Council Meeting

February 24, 2025 By KERON BELGRAVES

Area business leaders recently joined educators at the Skills Trade Advisory Council meeting to provide valuable insights into the skills needed for today’s workforce. Partners representing a variety of industries toured classrooms focused on Building Construction Technology, Automotive, and Technical Design. The focus of the visit was to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring students graduate with the practical skills employers demand. Business partners emphasized the importance of not only technical proficiency but also crucial soft skills. Recurring themes included the need for punctuality, responsible phone usage, a strong willingness to learn, a keen awareness of safety protocols, … Read More

Thankful for CTE (Career and Technical Education)

December 2, 2024 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie West Centennial High School Culinary Arts students invited Northport K8 Culinary Arts 8th graders to collaborate on a Thankful for CTE (Career and Technical Education) event at Centennial High. Their plan was to work together in the Centennial High School Culinary Arts’ commercial kitchen. The instructors, Chef Chris Balachak at St. Lucie West Centennial and Chef Tiffany Tredor at Northport K8 created a plan for their culinary students to work together. Principals Mr. Rustay and Ms. Popwell supported the event which had the middle schoolers collaborating with high school mentors to create a Thanksgiving-style meal that included dishes … Read More

Culinary Arts Cooks at Derby Day

May 13, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Culinary Arts students from Northport K8, Port St. Lucie High School, and St. Lucie West Centennial High cooked up a storm at the Derby Day celebration at Monarch Country Club. Students cooked Kentucky Derby-themed recipes including Port St. Lucie High School’s Kentucky Hot Brown Wontons, Louisville Chicken Sliders, and Shrimp on Savory Grits Cake, St. Lucie West Centennial’s Chilled Tomato Shooter Gazpacho, Pork Sliders with Chow-Chow & Apricot Jam served in a Brown Butter & Caramelized Onion Biscuit, Mint Julep Almond Vanilla Cupcake With Blackberries and Bruleed Bananas, and Northport’s Chicken and Waffles bites, Deviled Eggs, Cucumber Canapés, Rosewater/Cardamom cupcakes, … Read More

Westwood FFA Parliamentary Procedure at Board Meeting

April 15, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy students and FFA members Lilly Revels, Berkley Barnes, Elizabeth Rufo, Jayden Weil, Alyssa Coppock, and Laila Chastine presented Parliamentary Procedure at the monthly School Board Meeting. Westwood’s proud Principal Alfonso, Assistant Principal Gordon, and Agriscience Instructor Jenna Blakenbaker cheered them on as well as St. Lucie Public Schools Career and Technical Education CTE Director Aliesha Seitz.

Westwood FFA Horse Judging Competes

April 8, 2024 By Dana Caputo

The Fort Pierce Westwood Academy FFA Horse Judging team competed at the University of Florida FFA State Horse Judging contest against the best horse judging teams in the State of Florida. They had to pass the preliminary online test and be a top 15 team at the State Fair to be eligible to even compete at the State contest. Westwood’s team placed 6th in the state with 3 freshman and only one veteran judger. Wow! Team members consist of Zoey Thomaselli, Abigail Brickley, Madison Curtis and Adrianna Spotts. Congratulations!

CTE Student Entrepreneurship Showcase

April 8, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from middle and high schools across St. Lucie Public Schools participated in the CTE Student Showcase. The Showcase was all about entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurial mindset, and the resilience needed to be an entrepreneur.  The CTE classroom is a perfect place for teaching these skills since CTE teachers already cover many lessons and projects in entrepreneurship. Across the board, CTE has produced many small business owners in St. Lucie County and across the State of Florida.  Many of the Showcase participants someday want to own a business and be an entrepreneur. Thank you to our … Read More

Westwood Wins State FFA Veterinary Assisting

March 25, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Congratulations to the Fort Pierce Westwood Academy students who competed in the FFA Vet Assisting contest in Plant City! They placed FIRST in the state with Jayden Weil being the high individual of the whole contest. The team members (pictured) Briana Plaza, Samuel Rogers, Jayden Weil, and Ella Stark will be recognized during the State FFA Convention in June and then continue on to compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October! Woo-hoo! Great job, Panthers!

Fort Pierce Westwood New Nurses Aides

Fort Pierce Westwood Academy New Certified Nurses Aides

February 26, 2024 By Sarah Harris

Please help us congratulate the following Fort Pierce Westwood Academy students who passed their state certification on 02/14/2024 and are now Florida state-certified nurses aides! Marie Sainvil, Katalin Gonzalez-Cardona, Cournecya Harris, Jodian Johnson

Northport K8’s Culinary Students Cater PSL Citizens Summit

February 26, 2024 By Dana Caputo

Northport’s Culinary Arts program students catered the Citizen Summit the first Saturday of February which kicked off CTE Month!  They held after-school cooking sessions to prepare for the event.  Select students attended Saturday’s event with Mrs. Tredor, Mrs. Butterworth, Mrs. Sharrah, and Mrs. Bailey where they plated and served over 700 food samples to the public citizens attending the event. A big thank you also goes out to Mr. McDonald who stayed late with us to offer his expertise as well.

Culinary Arts Advisory Board Members Meet

February 19, 2024 By Dana Caputo

St. Lucie Public Schools Culinary Arts Program teachers virtually met with their Advisory Board members. Teachers and business partners discussed plans for Derby Day, IRSC Open Houses, the Sunshine Kitchen Cookoff, SERV Safe, and Food Safely industry certification testing. The culinary teachers and students are busy, busy, busy this time of year planning catering events, Proms, sports concessions, senior celebrations, ProStart Competition, SkillsUSA competition, and more.