Maya Kowalcyk, Newspaper and Publishing Club adviser at Carbon Career & Technical Institute, addressed the Joint Operating Committee during its meeting Tuesday evening to report on recent student activities.

Kowalcyk described the third annual Newspaper Club field trip, which was taken April 7.

“Our staff of The Buzz (CCTI’s newspaper) attended the LCCC Journalism Conference,” Kowalcyk said. “We learned about a variety of topics, from listening to an interview with a blind ESU student pursuing a career in sports media journalism, to hearing keynote speaker Ben Stemrich discuss the importance of the media industry and his career path.”

She added that students also spoke with the Pizzafellas podcasters about podcast production and met with Ayan Shah, editor-in-chief of the Emmaus High School Stinger, who shared insights on managing and marketing a student newspaper.

“Our students gained so much from this trip,” Kowalcyk said. “They networked with other students and even some of the presenters.”

Kowalcyk also reported on the second annual talent show, held March 11 at CCTI and featuring 11 student performances.

“I love organizing this event because I get to see students do something they’re passionate about,” she said. “We work through stage fright by holding rehearsals where we support one another and offer feedback.”

Kowalcyk also discussed her experiences teaching AP Literature and Composition, and announced her recent appointment as a reader for the AP Seminar course this spring.

“This is my third full year teaching AP, and I’m proud to report that my students have a 50% or higher passing rate,” Kowalcyk said. “They will take their exam the first week of May, and we are intensively preparing through reading, writing, discussion and review.”

Though she does not teach AP Seminar, Kowalcyk noted the course prepares 10th graders for future AP English courses.

SkillsUSA update

CCTI SkillsUSA adviser Kevin Kuehner also addressed the committee to highlight students’ involvement in the SkillsUSA State Competition in Hershey earlier this month.

“I want to recognize all of the students who pushed themselves outside their comfort zones and gave their best effort, even if they didn’t place in their competitions,” Kuehner said.

He thanked staff for helping students prepare, noting that the competitions test not only technical skills but also soft skills.

He also thanked Kowalcyk for her help with student résumés, as well as the administration, business office, and technology department for their support.

Kuehner thanked Lehigh Valley Health Network in Lehighton for giving students a tour and sharing safety protocols to help the Health and Safety Team prepare for the competition.

Principal reports

CCTI Principal Michelle Allen informed the committee that application completeness is essential for processing. Incomplete applications will either be held or placed on a waiting list.

She also said that 15 students from Drafting & Design Technology, Welding, Electrical Distribution and Engineering Technology are gaining hands-on training at the LCCC Mobile Manufacturing Lab at CCTI.

“This lab offers students practical experience in manufacturing and industrial automation,” Allen said. “It’s part of our mission to cultivate interest in advanced manufacturing careers.”

Allen emphasized efforts to improve student attendance, citing collaboration with the student success coordinator, guidance department and transition team.

“We met early and often with students and increased communication with parents,” Allen said. “This year, only five students have 20 or more absences — down from 121 in 2022-23 and 30 in 2023-24.”

In closing, Allen thanked the board for the opportunity to serve as principal.

“I’ve gained an even greater appreciation for our school, staff, students and their families,” she said. “I’m proud to have been part of helping build successful futures for our students.”

Allen’s final day at CCTI will be May 2.

Committee approvals

The Joint Operating Committee approved the following items:

• Appointment of Harold Resh as an Adult Education instructor on an as-needed basis at $26 per hour, effective April 16 through April 2026.

• Retroactive approval of school bus transportation to and from Hershey, Pennsylvania, for the SkillsUSA State Competition at a cost of $768.

• A field trip for 14 Digital Marketing & Business Fundamentals students to the Harrisburg Senators Stadium and Hershey Outlets on May 7. The trip will be chaperoned by Carly Rinda and Casey Hill.

• A field trip for six National Technical Honor Society students to the Bronx Zoo on May 27, 2025. The trip will be chaperoned by Sue Ann Gerhard.

• A $20,000 expenditure to Corra Concrete for replacement of an exterior staircase and two sidewalk slabs at the school’s front entrance. Corra submitted the lowest quote and provided a COSTARS number and reference letter.