TECH-PREP Program expands students' knowledge of computers

By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Hubbard High School seniors in the school's Tech-Prep Program believe they will have a leg up on technology classes when they're in college next year.
"It's probably the best-kept secret in education," senior Ryan DeMay said of the program. "I think it's great."
Teacher Mary Ann Herschel said juniors and seniors involved in the program study computers for 21/2 hours a day.
That's compared to most classes that are 45 minutes to an hour long. "They cover a lot more material," Herschel said.
This month, DeMay and three other senior classmates -- Russ Baron, Bob Wasil and Jamey Evans -- captured a second place at the Tech-Prep Northeast Ohio Regional Showcase 2001 at Kent State University.
Two Tech-Prep Consortium teams from Trumbull Career and Technical Center also captured second-place spots.
Criteria: Judging is based on knowledge, technical skills, written and oral presentations, integration of industry and the community into the project and the overall presentation.
Hubbard's team created a mobile office business. The team showed how during a disaster, their business could establish a nationwide network.
Its clients could transfer records, such as payroll data, to the business for storage. After the disaster, clients could retrieve their data for a fee.
"They worked hard on this. Most of the work was done out of class," Herschel said.
Students who complete the Tech-Prep Program and pass an exam receive their Cisco Systems certification, which means they can establish and maintain a computer network.
Three of the students are from Hubbard, although one is from Brookfield because Brookfield doesn't have a Tech-Prep Program.
About the participants: Baron is a son of Richard and Carol Baron of Hubbard. His father, a sergeant with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, owns Baron Soft Ware Inc.
Baron plans to attend KSU next year with a goal of solving computer crimes like his father now does.
DeMay is the son of Joe and Beth DeMay of Christian Avenue, Hubbard.
He plans to attend Youngstown State University and eventually become a lawyer. DeMay said he believes he will be able to use information gathering in his profession.
Evans, a son of Todd and Polly Evans of Liberty Avenue, Hubbard, will be at KSU next year studying computer science.
"There is no other class that integrates software and hardware," Evans commented.
Wasil is the son of Robert and Tami Wasil of Lynita Drive, Brookfield.
Wasil pointed out that the program is not a vocational course.
"It's totally academic," he said, adding that his father steered him to take the program.
Other teams: TCTC juniors Megan Moyer, Mathews High School; Stephanie Osborn, Southington High School; and Santina Pierce and Keri Proch, both of Warren G. Harding High School, took second in the business technologies category. Business management instructor Bobbe Isabella supervised the presentation.
TCTC seniors Darl Magee, Lakeview High School; Chaz Briscoe, LaBrae High School; and Joe Keller, John Gaut and Steve McDowell, all of Hubbard, were runners-up in engineering technologies category. Engineering Tech-Prep instructor Walt Dulaney supervised them.