Horticulture Students Take National Prize
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National Honor Society News
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Club News |
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by Shawn Robichaud
The Drama Club
Earlier this month, the Drama Club had a successful performance of their first dinner theater experience with The Cafe Murder. The show was an outstanding success and received many outstanding reviews.
The Drama Club is currently in rehearsals for their very first musical, Aladdin, Jr. Mark your calendars. Shows will run from March 11 - March 13, 2016.
The Drama Club
Earlier this month, the Drama Club had a successful performance of their first dinner theater experience with The Cafe Murder. The show was an outstanding success and received many outstanding reviews.
The Drama Club is currently in rehearsals for their very first musical, Aladdin, Jr. Mark your calendars. Shows will run from March 11 - March 13, 2016.
Human Rights
The Holiday Season is here, and the Human Rights Club, along with the Student Council, planned a few fundraisers to support those in need. From December 8 - 15, Candy Grams were sold for $1.00 each during all lunches. The fundraiser was an outstanding success, raising over $100.
Once again, the Mitten Tree was up in the lobby. Hats, gloves, scarves, and mittens were collected and donated to needy families so they can stay warm this winter.
On Wednesday, December 23rd, the Human Rights Club and Student Council will sponsor the “Selfies with Santa” fundraiser. For $1.00, students are welcome to sit on Santa’s lap and have their pictures taken with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves.
The Human Rights Club and Student Council meet every Tuesday after school in the main conference room. All are welcome to attend.
The Holiday Season is here, and the Human Rights Club, along with the Student Council, planned a few fundraisers to support those in need. From December 8 - 15, Candy Grams were sold for $1.00 each during all lunches. The fundraiser was an outstanding success, raising over $100.
Once again, the Mitten Tree was up in the lobby. Hats, gloves, scarves, and mittens were collected and donated to needy families so they can stay warm this winter.
On Wednesday, December 23rd, the Human Rights Club and Student Council will sponsor the “Selfies with Santa” fundraiser. For $1.00, students are welcome to sit on Santa’s lap and have their pictures taken with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves.
The Human Rights Club and Student Council meet every Tuesday after school in the main conference room. All are welcome to attend.
During the last week of October, five UCT Horticulture students (Brandon Harris, Renee DeAngelis, Liam McAfee, Josh Sprague, and Cory Sullivan) traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to compete against thirty nine other teams, each representing individual states from around the country, in the FFA National Nursery Landscape CDE (Career Development Event). The competition included events in plant identification, practical and general knowledge, propagation, and customer service. Students were also required to design a landscape plan and develop an estimate plan. Finally, students were required to complete a skills competition proving their knowledge and proficiency using a variety of equipment as well as various safety techniques.
When asked what he valued most about the competition in Louisville, Senior Brandon Harris said “[It] helped me hone my skills more, to provide the customer with a better experience." When asked the same questions, Senior Renee DeAngelis said "I liked talking to all the different people because I got to hear the different accents. We all made fun of each other. It was a way to make new friends."
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To qualify for nationals, the UCT FFA Team had to win the state competition this past March. They beat approximately fifteen teams representing the top technical and agricultural schools in Massachusetts.
Mr. Greeley, Ms. Guyot, and Mr. Boyle said the team spent countless hours in shop preparing for the competitions at both the state and national levels. |
The Interact Club
The Interact Club had an exciting month of events and fundraisers. They held their annual Craft Fair over the Thanksgiving break weekend. This fundraiser was a success.
Yesterday, the Interact Club concluded their Toys-for-Tots campaign. People donated new, unwrapped toys which will be donated to less fortunate children.
The Interact Club held its first Honor Roll Ice Cream Party on December 15th. All students earning Honors or High Honors during Term 1 were invited to attend. Students enjoyed an ice cream treat and their names were entered into a raffle for the chance to win an assortment of UCT apparel.
The Interact Club had an exciting month of events and fundraisers. They held their annual Craft Fair over the Thanksgiving break weekend. This fundraiser was a success.
Yesterday, the Interact Club concluded their Toys-for-Tots campaign. People donated new, unwrapped toys which will be donated to less fortunate children.
The Interact Club held its first Honor Roll Ice Cream Party on December 15th. All students earning Honors or High Honors during Term 1 were invited to attend. Students enjoyed an ice cream treat and their names were entered into a raffle for the chance to win an assortment of UCT apparel.
shop shorts
by Staff Reporter
Automotive The Automotive Instructors reported that they’ve recently acquired a new piece of equipment, a wireless scanner. It is a diagnostic tool which will allow students to begin assessing a vehicle’s problems from inside the building while the vehicle is still outside. The scanner sends codes from the vehicle’s computer to the wireless device allowing students to determine what needs to be addressed before they even touch the vehicle. Carpentry Mr. MacFadyen, Mr. Meli, Mr. Cosaro, and Mr. Zajac have been keeping the Carpentry students very busy around campus. Mr. Z reports that students are constructing and installing the cabinets and counters in the new waste-water treatment plant on campus. He said students have also installed the doors, in addition to working on other parts of the structure as well. Senior Aaron Silva said he has worked on roofing and is currently building glass inserts for the cabinets in the waste-water plant. Sophomores Calvin Silva, Danny Holmes, and Jacob Moreno have been busy building a desk and a coffee table out of a combination of mahogany, poplar, and red oak. They chose these three types of wood to create a specific design in each piece of furniture. Poplar has very unique natural color variations and gives each piece its own distinct character. Marine Technology
Mr. Giannelli, Mr. Glass, and Mr. Terry said that life has been quite busy for students in Marine Technology so far this year. Students have been doing a lot of work for local municipalities: the Bourne Fire boat, Bourne Harbor Master boat, a boat from the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Onset Fire boat, a whaler from the Buzzards Bay Sailing School. The instructors agree the shop has more work this year than they’ve had in the last five years. Mr. Terry is introducing students to two new skill sets in high-demand in the marine industry: upholstery and wooden boats. On December 8th, students went on a field trip to Sea Mass. This plant burns trash in order to make electricity. Eight students are currently out on co-op working in local marinas and boatyards. The instructors would like to recognize and thank advisory board member Alan Lake, who’s recently volunteered to work with students in the shop. He’s great with the kids and has done a wonderful job. |
Electrical
Mr. Sherry and his seniors have been working on various projects around campus. But a recent rainy day found them back in the shop practicing their skills. Sam Tripp, Caleb Cook, and Canyon Kettell explained the process of installing a motor and hooking up a transformer with a start/stop switch and relays. They practiced installing a light switch, motor, and a transfer. The transformer changes 120v to 24v in order to start a 208v motor.
Plumbing and Heating
Mr. Yeaw reported that the Seniors just finished up the rough gas and plumbing at the Habitat for Humanity build in Marion. The Juniors also worked on the project for a couple of days at the beginning of the project. Mr. Poliseno and Mr. Carrier have been working with the sophomores as they work threading and welding copper piping. |
SPORTS |
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by Shawn Robichaud
Upper Cape had a good fall season with sports. Soccer, Volleyball, Football, and Cross-Country recently wrapped-up their seasons. Boys’ Soccer and Volleyball were each runner-up in the championship game of the state vocational tournament.
UCT won its fourth consecutive Thanksgiving Day Football game with a 54-20 victory over rival Cape Cod Tech.
The Winter Sports season is just now getting underway. Hockey and Boys and Girls Basketball are in full swing. Tonight, December 22nd, Girls Basketball plays at Nauset while the Boys take on Nauset at home. Tomorrow night, December 23rd, the Hockey team takes on South Shore Voc.
Stay up to date on all athletic events by checking the calendar posted on the school’s website:
Upper Cape had a good fall season with sports. Soccer, Volleyball, Football, and Cross-Country recently wrapped-up their seasons. Boys’ Soccer and Volleyball were each runner-up in the championship game of the state vocational tournament.
UCT won its fourth consecutive Thanksgiving Day Football game with a 54-20 victory over rival Cape Cod Tech.
The Winter Sports season is just now getting underway. Hockey and Boys and Girls Basketball are in full swing. Tonight, December 22nd, Girls Basketball plays at Nauset while the Boys take on Nauset at home. Tomorrow night, December 23rd, the Hockey team takes on South Shore Voc.
Stay up to date on all athletic events by checking the calendar posted on the school’s website:
UCT Welcomes the Class of 2020
by Staff Writer
On November 17th, Upper Cape Tech hosted its annual 8th Grade Open House. Students from Bourne, Falmouth, Marion, Sandwich, and Wareham joined UCT administrators, faculty, staff, and students for dinner and an evening filled with interactive demonstrations, questions and answer sessions, and more energy and information than many UCT novices anticipated. Mr. Dutch, UCT Superintendent, shared a few statistics about the evening. Including 8th grade visitors, parents, siblings, etc., over 1,300 people attended Open House. Of those, 373 were 8th graders. How does that compare to recent years? In 2014, 312 8th grade students visited UCT during Open House, and only 294 visited in 2013. So, the numbers are up by 61 students, an increase of 19.55% since 2014. There has also been an increase of 79 8th grade student visitors since 2013, an increase of 26.87%. As of December 8th, Mr. Dutch reported approximately 200 applications have been received. He expects to continue accepting applications through February 12, 2016. He anticipates interviews will begin on March 5, 2016. It was great to see so many people standing behind our mission here at UCT. From faculty members to students, parents, members of the Schools Committee, the PTO, and the UCT Athletic Association, every member of the UCT family demonstrated what vocational education is at its very best. |
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SkillsUSA |
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Cos is Sportin’ a Brand New “Do”
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contributed by Mr. Yeaw
The SkillsUSA Fall State Leadership Conference was held on November 22-24, 2015 in Marlborough at the Royal Plaza Conference Center. Each shop was represented with outstanding students, and they all received their leadership pin. James Hightower, representing the Carpentry shop, also received a community project service award. He worked on clearing trails and the reconstruction of a road which will lead to the new amphitheater at the MetroWest YMCA. |
contributed by Kelsy Lopes
On Wednesday December 9, 2015, Upper Cape Tech’s Cosmetology Shop held its Grand Opening and hosted an Open House for the public. Patrons were offered complimentary manicures, deep conditioning treatments, blow dries and sets, as well as a tour of the newly renovated shop. Thanks to the Electrical, Plumbing and Carpentry shop students and their instructors the Cosmetology students and instructors were able to have the shop completely gutted and rebuilt over the summer of 2015. Not only was the shop repainted and floored, but brand new stations, sinks, and a color bar were installed in addition to the construction of manicure and facial rooms. The Cosmetology students would love to see more students come down to the shop to receive services or get a tour of the renovated shop. |
Academic Teacher Feature:
tim wilmottDate of Birth: August 31
Hometown: Sleepy Hollow, NY (Go Horsemen!) College/Trade School Attended:
How many years have you been teaching at UCT? 19 years What is your current title/position at UCT? physics, astronomy, chemistry teacher Have you been a teacher your entire career? NO If you answered no to the previous question, what did you do before you started teaching? US Naval Officer 1979 - 1997 “I was a surface warfare officer on ship. I served on three destroyers, two amphibious ships that carried Marines and SEALS, and one aircraft carrier.” When did you decide to become a teacher, and why did you choose this field? “My sub specialty in the Navy was as an engineering instructor. I served two short tours teaching other naval officers engineering and my last shore tour at Mass Maritime preparing cadets for naval service." |
Did you know about UCT before you applied for a teaching position? If so, please explain.
“Yes, I knew about UCT from my position at Mass Maritime.” What made you want to teach at UCT? “The emphasis at UCT was for teaching physics and chemistry to relate to real world trades (and engineering). Teaching ‘how stuff works’ is what I do best.” What do you like most about UCT? “The students are just like my sailors (only they haven’t had their butts kicked in boot camp yet!)” How would one of your students describe you? “Goofy Mr. Willmott” What would your students say they had learned after spending a year in your class? “Hopefully how some stuff works.” What, if anything, did you do related to your subject before coming to UCT? "Almost everything I learned in the Navy is related to physics and chemistry.
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What aspect(s) of your class do you believe affects your students daily life?
“I learn from them every day. every day a student teaches me a new idea, a new way of looking at something, or even a way to be a better person and teacher. The most valuable lesson: Humility is the best trait of a teacher and person.” Final thoughts: “I’m a really lucky guy. I have had two careers that I loved.
Mr. Willmott and his wife, Marcia (a chemist) are the proud parents of three children. Their son Tom graduated from UCT in 2004. He studied Marine Technology (Services in 2004) and graduated from MMA in 2008. He’s currently an engineer for Wilkinson Commercial Boilers. Daughter Carly graduated from WPI in 2010 and is employed as a Reactor Engineer for Electric Boat (nuclear sub builder). Younger daughter Jaclyn graduated from SUNY Albany in 2012 and is the EA for the Commandant of the Alaska State Troopers.
Mr. Willmott has three furry children, two boxers and one cat. His favorite hobby is sailing. |
Shop Teacher Feature:
Mr. Lawrence
College/Trade School Attended:
How many years have you been teaching at UCT? 19 years What is your current title/position at UCT? Instructor, Environmental Science and Technology Have you been a teacher your entire career? NO If you answered no to the previous question, what did you do before you started teaching? Shellfish Farmer, Editor, Commercial Fisherman, Grant Writer, Water Resources Specialist, Health Inspector When did you decide to become a teacher, and why did you choose this field? “After a series of environmental jobs as both a regulator and field technician, the position of instructor of Environmental Technology became available here at UCT. Several teachers I knew elsewhere encouraged me to give the profession a look. Am glad that I did! I truly enjoy the job, even after 19 years.” Did you know about UCT before you applied for a teaching position? If so, please explain. “UCT was not on my radar prior to teaching. As a matter of fact, I was unaware of how technical education was carried out. People involved in technical education at the time of my hire were highly unaware of and somewhat oppositional to an “academic shop” in a technical school. Much of the job early on involved explaining to others what we wanted to accomplish and luckily we had a great deal of support from the local environmental industry, Bristol and Cape Cod Community Colleges.” What made you want to teach at UCT? “There was this tremendous opportunity to shape the Environmental Technology program into something unique. The pollution issue at what is now Joint Base Cape Cod was being addressed and the public was becoming educated about groundwater pollution, shellfish aquaculture was just taking off around the region. I figured we could tap into the experience of the experts in the region in different environmental disciplines and develop a great advisory |
board. Over the years, we have been able to provide kids with a different form of hands-on science education, something that wasn’t offered when I went to high school. The program has evolved into a great team of invested advisory board members, supportive administrators, great teachers, motivated students and involved parents. I feel very fortunate to be part of it.”
What do you like most about UCT? “The student community here is tremendous. Think about the challenges: Coming from different sending communities, making a commitment to a technical area, completing academic requirements in half the time, acquiring the social skills to communicate with adults AS adults, not to mention developing skill sets that will enable them to succeed in the world. All of this is expected of our students and during the time I have been here, students continue to improve as the staff raises expectations. Look at our stats on graduation rates, comprehensive testing and our success on the athletic fields. It’s been fun to watch…and I’m inspired by our students; they learn persistence and grit by experiencing challenges in shop and academics. It is beyond awesome for me when students return to tell me about their successes in life.” How would one of your students describe you? “Tough, difficult, not traditional, inspirational, insane, oppositional, enthusiastic, motivational were the kinder words they mentioned. Teaching isn’t a popularity contest, which is something I learned long ago.” What would your students say they had learned after spending a year in your class? “He pushes us to our breaking point” “Very untraditional class, more student-based, encourages failure.” “Unpredictable class, good learning experience.” “It’s a challenging class.” “He means well and pushes us to our limits.” Have you learned anything from your students? If so, what is the most valuable lesson they have taught you? “If you want to be successful teaching high school age students, addressing their varied learning styles and learning characteristics, you have to be able to take a hard look at yourself and how they react to your teaching style. I continue to learn from them each day. |
When I began teaching, the classroom and shop were teacher-centered. Over the years the Environmental shop and theory classes have evolved from teacher-centered to more student-centered. It’s humbling to see that the greater the challenges that we hand over to the students, the more they learn how to communicate and think critically.”
What did you do related to your shop before coming to teach at UCT? “Working for Barnstable County gave me a whole range of experiences from using spreadsheets to model nitrogen loading to working with GIS to make watershed maps in the office environment. Out in the field I worked with groundwater remediation systems, monitored wells at landfills across the Cape, and performed a host of environmental and health related tasks at the regulatory end of things.” What aspect(s) of your class do you believe affects your student’s daily life? “We emphasize learning how to learn just as much as subject content in the program. Whether it is a new technology, simplifying technical information, learning workplace habits and aptitudes or developing ways to evaluate internet research sources; we try to introduce the Environmental Science and Technology students to skills that will allow them to succeed in any workplace or learning environment.” What major projects have you and your students recently completed? “We try to look for long-term projects that will offer a full range of learning opportunities related to real-world application. Our latest initiative is all about teamwork; students are learning about workplace habits while carrying out a series of STEM-related tasks to turn waste products into protein sources. They are working to create a system within the shop that, using waste once disposed of in landfills, will provide protein-rich food for poultry and fish. You’ve heard of farm to table? This is a table to farm effort. It’s an innovative yet simple technology using insect larvae and the project is still in its infancy (no pun intended). Some major players in the agriculture industry have expressed interest in working with us and we look forward to talking to you more about the project as it takes shape.” |
Movie Review |
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Scholarship Opportunity |
by Bryan Richardson
The Nightmare Before Christmas If you're looking for a different type of Christmas movie, I think I found the perfect one. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), directed by Henry Selick and based on the story by Tim Burton, is actually a pretty decent movie. The plot of movie is that Jack Skellington, voiced by Chris Sarandon, is pretty much the ruler of Halloween, and he's getting bored of it. It doesn't give him the same rush as it used to. One day, after traveling deep into the woods, he finds a door to Christmastown and decides to take over Christmas. First of all, this movie is a musical so you will be hearing a lot of songs, but the songs are are pretty good and fit the overall tone and theme of the movie. Next, this movie is a claymation movie so it’s made in the same style as Coraline, Frankenweenie, and Paranorman. So if you're not big fan of claymation then you will most likely not like this movie. The acting and the singing from everyone is pretty good. The one major complaint I have with this movie is that it felt longer than it needed to be and some points just seem to drag on. I shouldn't feel that way for a movie that is only an hour and sixteen minutes long. Overall it's a pretty good movie that is unique, has good voice acting, a decent plot, and has only minor pacing issues. I give this movie a 7.5 out of 10. |
2016 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
The 1st place winner receives $10,000. The deadline is January 6, 2016. For contest information, registration, and to submit your essay, visit the Profile in Courage Essay at http://www.jfklibrary.org. ART
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Next Issue: February 12, 2016What we will cover….
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The Upper Cape Times Staff:
Shawn Robichaud, Junior - Engineering Technology Bryan Richardson, Junior - Environmental Sciences and Technologies Mrs. Smith, English Teacher/School Paper Advisor Freelance Contributors: Kelsy Lopes, Senior, Cosmetology Mr. Yeaw, Plumbing and Heating Instructor/SkillsUSA Advisor Photo Contributors: Mr. Boyle, Horticulture and Landscape Contracting Ms. DeCosta, Special Education Instructor/SkillsUSA Advisor Mr. Greeley, Horticulture and Landscape Contracting Ms. Guyot, Horticulture and Landscape Contracting Mrs. Smith, English Teacher/School Paper Advisor Mr. Yeaw, Plumbing and Heating Instructor/SkillsUSA Advisor |