Career center welcomes new students

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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Ben Esterly (right), who hails from Boardman, is a new student in MCCTC's Information Technology program. During the center's Sept. 9 back-to-school picnic, Esterly chatted with a close friend.

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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Austintown Fitch students Ashley Hudson (left), Ashley Mayer, Chris Pagan, and Helen Davis have spent a many moments during their first week of school making new friends, but still enjoyed visiting each other and showing their Falcon pride.

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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Austintown native Nathan Gartland (left) hung out with a few of his new MCCTC friends at the facility's back-to-school picnic on Sept. 9.

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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Poland natives Kevin Stein (left) and Brandon Mitchell, both seniors at MCCTC, were friendly faces for any juniors who had any questions about the career center during the Sept. 9 back-to-school picnic.

By SARAH FOOR sfoor@vindy.com

In their first week at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, the incoming juniors spent the majority of their time getting acquainted with their new surroundings and their program classmates.

To introduce new students to their fellow classmates, teachers and staff, MCCTC hosted a back-to-school picnic on Sept. 9 and offered an invitation to all.

The picnic offered a laid-back atmosphere, where students could eat, socialize and join in pick-up games of basketball and football.

Leading to the party in the Aviation Technology classroom, MCCTC seniors lined the halls welcoming incoming juniors to the career center family.

Austintown native Nathan Gartland is a new MCCTC student in the interactive multimedia program and was already feeling at home after his first week of school.

“It’s been really great so far. Class is exciting and I’m meeting lots of friendly people,” Gartland shared.

“I already feel welcome and relaxed here,” said Junior Ben Esterly, who hails from Boardman.

MCCTC staff were also on hand during the event to socialize with their new students. Career Technical director John Zehentbauer spent most of his time at the picnic thinking about the year ahead at MCCTC.

“We welcomed 450 new juniors this year, which is about 100 more students than our usual enrollment. With our incoming students and beyond, we’re focusing on staying strong with technology and increasing the center’s sustainability and green technology. We already have the makings of a great year at MCCTC,” Zehentbauer shared.