Latest news with #FutureBusinessLeadersofAmerica
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shining skill
Jun. 9—MOSES LAKE — This isn't exactly the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center's first trip to the nationals. "For 11 years straight we have placed at state competition, and eight of those years we've qualified for nationals," said Terri Pixlee, who teaches video game programming at CBTECH. "We've been all over the country. We've been to Chicago, Utah, Georgia twice, Florida (and) Maryland and this will be our second time in California." Pixlee's students Alex Meyer, Hailey Harper and Ethan Huntley competed in April at the Future Business Leaders of America game programming competition in Bellevue, she said. One team of three students took second place and will go on to nationals in Anaheim, California. Another team of two, Neri Hernandez and Jaden Salazar, placed seventh, not high enough to be assured of a berth but enough to be alternates in case some other Washington team doesn't show. So far, that doesn't seem likely, Pixlee said. "It doesn't happen very often, but it does happen," she said. In addition, Felix Neutzhorn and Zander Leasher from the CBTECH Fire Sciences and Roan Prentice from the Automotive program qualified for nationals at the SkillsUSA state competitions in Spokane in March. They'll go to the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia in July. Prentice took first place at the state competition, said instructor Lonny Steinmetz. He and teammate David Couture also won first place at the Top Tech Challenge in Yakima. CBTECH was the first school to take first at the Top Tech Challenge twice in a row, Steinmetz added. Prentice came away from the competitions with more than just bragging rights, Steinmetz said. "He won about $56,000 in scholarships along with some tools," he said. For the video game competition, the students divide themselves into teams of three, usually including an artist, a programmer and a level designer, Pixlee said. At least one of those students also needs some serious presentation chops, she said. "It's like 'Shark Tank,'" she said. "They have to present their game and sell it as if they're selling it to one of the gaming houses, so it's really kind of important they have a speaker as well." The video game creators will be in Anaheim June 29-July 2, Pixlee said. They can't afford a side trip to Disneyland, she said, but there are other things they can occupy their off-time with. "There's plenty of attractions they want to see," she said. "Venice Beach, they want to, you know, things like that that don't cost much. We'll find a little arcade." The students going to Atlanta will be there June 23-27, said Fire Sciences teacher Lynn Dodd. "It's huge for these kids," Dodd said. "The student we took last year had barely ever been out of town. It's one of their first times getting to stay in a hotel, getting to go to these fancy restaurants, and then we were taking them on their first flights across the United States. And it's like, this is cool that these kids get this opportunity to compete with the best students of the state. That we get to be a part of that is pretty awesome."
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wrestling and dance: Vote for the azcentral Student of the Week for April 28-May 2, 2025!
Student of the Week offers schools the chance to celebrate teens who have placed in an art, dance or music competition, excelled in a science fair, won an essay contest, received a scholarship, were recognized for their volunteer service or have shined in some other way. All high schools in Arizona are invited to nominate students to be included in an online poll where readers vote to choose the Student of the Week. Advertisement Student of the Week voting is open from 6 a.m. Monday through noon Wednesday. The winner is announced online on Friday morning. Meet this week's nominees! Jakob Duffey, senior, Cactus Shadows High School Jakob Duffey, a senior at Cactus Shadows High School, is a "standout" wrestler, a marching band drummer, a tennis player and headed to the honors college at ASU, said his Student of the Week nominator, the high school's Athletic Director Rob Gilmore. Jakob Duffey is an exceptional student. He has been accepted to Arizona State University and will be attending the Barrett Honors College, majoring in biochemical engineering. Beyond the classroom, Jakob has proudly represented the Falcons in a variety of ways. He was a dedicated drummer in our marching band, a standout wrestler who finished fourth in the state in Arizona Interscholastic Association Division III, and he's currently competing on our tennis team with an impressive 11-4 record. Advertisement Nomination submitted by Rob Gilmore, athletic director, Cactus Shadows High School. Matthew Ruiz, junior, Odyssey Institute High School Matthew Ruiz (center) in London for a performance with the Odyssey Institute High School's Will Power Dance Troupe. Matthew's Student of the Week nominator, dance teacher Tabbatha Prewitt, said he "consistently puts himself out there in dance class." Matthew Ruiz consistently puts himself out there in dance class, even when it feels scary or outside of his comfort zone. His courage and willingness to take creative risks inspire those around him. In addition to his commitment in class, he maintains outstanding grades as a full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme scholar at the Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies and is actively involved in a variety of extracurricular activities ranging from Future Business Leaders of America to theater. He is a well-rounded scholar who leads by example through his dedication, positivity and perseverance. Advertisement Nomination submitted by Tabbatha Prewitt, dance teacher, Odyssey Institute High School. For more information on Student of the Week, email studentoftheweek@ This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote for the azcentral Student of the Week for April 28-May 2, 2025!
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'Our thoughts remain with them': Kingman students, staff hospitalized after I-10 crash
The majority of students involved in a bus crash on Interstate 10 near Tucson were released from the hospital and able to go home, the Kingman Unified School District said. Two students and two staff members remained hospitalized and will stay in Tucson for treatment, according to the school district. A Kingman Unified School District bus was heading east on I-10 in Marana when an SUV driver merged into the bus, causing the bus to hit a median barrier and roll onto its side. The crash left four people seriously injured, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. "Our thoughts remain with them and their families during this time," the school district said in an update on its website. The driver of the Volvo SUV was identified as 31-year-old Nicolas Rodriguez. He was taken into custody and accused of three counts of aggravated assault and serious physical injury, Class 3 felonies, according to the Pima County Attorney's Office. His bond was set at $100,000. Authorities closed the eastbound lanes of the interstate in response to the crash. The lanes reopened around 6 a.m. April 2, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Students from Kingman High School and Lee Williams High School were heading to Tucson for a Future Business Leaders of America conference when the crash occurred. "We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Tucson and Marana hospitals, first aid responders, and their community for their exceptional support and assistance provided to our students and staff. Your help truly means the world to us!" the district wrote in a Facebook post. The Kingman Unified School District asked for gift cards, blankets, water and snacks to create get-well baskets for those involved in the crash. "Your donation not only helps with recovery but also serves as a reminder of the incredible strength and compassion in our community," the district said in the Facebook post. Donations will be accepted until 3 p.m. on April 3 at the Kingman Unified District Office. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: SUV driver faces felony charges after causing bus crash near Tucson
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
'Our thoughts are with everyone affected': Kingman students, chaperone hurt in bus crash near Tucson
A crash involving a school bus left four people seriously injured and one person in custody near Tucson. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, about 1:30 p.m. April 1, the driver of a Volvo SUV collided with the driver's side of a school bus from the Kingman Unified School District, causing the bus to hit a median barrier and roll onto its side. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 near Tangerine Road in Marana. All 40 passengers, including the bus driver, were taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. Several students and a chaperone had serious but not life-threatening injuries, according to the school district. The district said those who were uninjured and medically cleared would be released from the hospital that day. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we appreciate your patience and support during this time," the school district said. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs posted on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, hours after the crash. "I'm concerned for the children and others on board, and thinking of them and their families. Arizona DPS is on the scene, and I will continue to monitor the situation closely," Hobbs said. Authorities closed the eastbound lanes of the interstate in response to the crash. There was no estimated time for reopening, the Arizona Department of Transportation said. The students and chaperones from Kingman High School and Lee Williams High School were traveling to Tucson for a Future Business Leaders of America event, the school district said. The driver of the SUV was taken into custody, DPS said. However, the agency did not provide charges. The investigation was being conducted by DPS. 'Kind, thoughtful, fun': East Valley community mourns Saguaro High senior killed in car crash (This story has been updated to add more information.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kingman students, chaperone hurt after bus crash near Tucson
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Ephrata High's Smith named student of the month
Mar. 20—EPHRATA — Devin Smith, a sophomore at Ephrata High School, has been recognized as one of the EHS February Students of the Month, a recognition bestowed by his teacher, Scott Sandberg. Sandberg, who teaches cyber security and serves as the Future Business Leaders of America advisor, highlighted Smith's exemplary performance and dedication both in and out of the classroom as the primary reasons for his nomination. "Devin has been an outstanding student. He steps up and does pretty much anything that I ask of him, and even things I don't ask — he goes out of his way to make sure that anything that needs to be done gets done," Sandberg said. "He sees things that I don't even see sometimes." Smith, who is enrolled in multiple Career and Technical Education courses, including cyber security and graphic design, has consistently demonstrated his ability to balance an academically rigorous schedule with a variety of extracurricular activities, Sandberg said. His current course load also includes college-level chemistry and advanced mathematics. "I usually push all my work off until after school, which is normally when I have a lot of time," Smith said. "I get around 50 minutes per class, so that gives me time to work on some things, and I'll finish any outstanding work at home." Sandberg cited specific instances where Smith has gone above and beyond in his role as a student and leader. For example, when Sandberg recently took over the broadcasting class, Smith proactively identified issues within the broadcasting studio and took the initiative to improve it. "He stepped in and got the broadcast studio up and running," Sandberg said. "He also goes out and does the streaming with us as part of our Tiger Vision extracurricular activity." In addition to his contributions to broadcasting, Smith serves as the president of the esports club. In the past year, membership in the club has grown significantly, attributed in part to the introduction of new games, like "Overwatch 2." "We introduced a new game that got a lot of new kids into it, and then they started getting more comfortable with the other games that we had," Smith said. Smith's participation in FBLA has also been noteworthy. He is a state qualifier participating in digital animation and game design competitions. His digital animation video can be watched here: Last year, Smith placed seventh with his animation in a state competition. Sandberg recognized Smith's achievements in FBLA. "He's going to state in both of those events and has already shown great potential," Sandberg said. Upon receiving the news of his nomination as a February Student of the Month, Smith expressed gratitude for the recognition. "I was excited," Smith said. "I think that was the moment when I realized that people do look up to me and see me as someone they could look up to." This recognition he said motivates him to strive for excellence in all his endeavors, acknowledging the supportive environment fostered by his peers. "Devin has a group of friends that is a really high-achieving group," Sandberg said. "They all push each other academically, which is kind of a cool group of individuals." Looking to the future, Smith aims to continue building his technical skills and developing his leadership qualities. He has expressed interest in pursuing a career in the technology sector. "I plan to work at not any specific tech firm, but something to at least work with my current abilities," Smith said. "Whether that be a data center or a tech phone center, I want to keep my skills sharp." As for what he considers his dream job, Smith mentioned his interest in the entertainment industry, fueled in part by his experiences with Tiger Vision. "I've always been interested in entertainment, and I might push towards that sooner or later," Smith said. Sandberg said he's optimistic about Smith's future. "I'm lucky that I have him for a couple more years," Sandberg said. "He inspires our younger generation and has the extraordinary potential to be someone who creates and produces technology rather than just consuming it."
