The Camera to Art program for Summer Tech Camp was led by Graphic Art & Design instructor Valli Virgo-Caperton. Students learned the six compositional guidelines of photography and demonstrated their knowledge in the studio taking pictures. They also learned Adobe Illustrator and made personal stickers, learning to weed and trim them out. Campers learned some Photoshop skills to create a unique, motivational poster and then framed it in a 5x7" frame to take home.
Another program of our Summer Tech Camp was Ink to Fabric. Tim Herremans and Katrina Burchfield worked with campers to get hands-on with screen printing - turning their designs into cool shirts! Over the five days of camp, they learned the whole process. The campers started by choosing and designing their images of choice, getting the clear films ready, and finally making their screens. Once the screens were ready, the campers carefully tested and set up their prints. The final step was to put ink on the screens and use a squeegee to print their custom designs onto shirts. Everyone got to take home a special, custom-printed shirt - a great way to show off what they learned at camp!
The Big Rig/Car Care program for Summer Tech Camp had students switch between heavy equipment and learning from our automotive instructor, Greg Sagodic. With Mr. Sagodic, as part of Car Care, campers learned about a 4 stroke engine and all of the parts that make it up. They then built a model 4 cylinder engine that really runs! Campers also learned about electricity and what makes an electric motor work. Then they each built a working electric motor. They designed different cars and then had a virtual car show!
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Construction Junction was offered again this year for Summer Tech Camp! Campers learned how to use a hammer, screw gun, hand miter saw, hand saw, power miter saw, sanders, read a tape measure, and more! They then built items such as carrying baskets, step stools, and bird houses.
A third rotation of Titans of Technology saw students with the Computer Information Systems instructor, Tony Lincoln. During this rotation, campers learned to take apart and reassemble a PC. They also made ethernet cables!
Another session rotation for students who took our Titans of Technology program during Summer Tech Camp 2025, was with our Welding staff, Jerry Funk and Mat Gerlinger. They taught students to weld flowers using metal washers, filler rod, and a small piece of steel for the base. Each camper worked with staff and volunteers one-on-one to complete this all by themselves! (Pictured is volunteer Bryer Watson working with a student on welding a T Joint and camper, Chuck Lechner showing off the flower he made.)
Summer Tech Camp students who registered for the Titans of Technology program rotated daily through various sessions. One session was Criminal Justice-related and taught students all about the art of fingerprinting!
Hands-On Hero campers also learned about different types of blood (arterial, venous, and capillary) and how blood flows.
The Allegan Tech Center is sponsoring this week's free movie! Get to the best little theatre and watch Transformers One! Monday-Friday, 2pm and 4pm.
Are you entering 11th or 12th grade next year and are interested in computers, manufacturing/CNC, EMS/EMT, or engineering careers?
During Summer Tech Camp, our Hands-On Heroes program painted rocks that they hid in downtown Allegan. Be on the looking out for these hand-painted rocks from our talented students!
Summer Tech Camp for middle school students started yesterday and as you can see - Big Rig students got right to work with hands-on learning!
The Building Trades program has been busy at the end of the school year! The students built 10 stair/decks for Roy's Home Center and also partnered with our Welding program to build and install the third and last Story Walk for Otsego Public Schools - at Washington Street Elementary.
Graphic Art & Design students had a great year, placing in local, regional, and state level competitions. The local competition was judged by instructor, Valli Virgo-Caperton's CTE Advisory panel, regionals were held at Rockford High School, and State was in Gaylord competing against all of Michigan including the Upper Peninsula.
The Manufacturing Career Technology (MCT) program at the Tech Center had three students, all seniors who took a second year of MCT to advance their skills, place in the top three for projects entered at the 2025 MITES State Competition in Gaylord. Several other students placed in the top eight in the state! Projects qualified to go to state after placing high enough at the regional competition in Rockford. Pictured in the photo left to right are: Ethan Everett (Otsego), Drew Kellerman (Otsego), and Ryan Burns (Plainwell).
MITES (Michigan Industrial & Technology Education Society) is an organization for educators and students in Michigan that focuses on various areas, with CTE being one of them. The mission of MITES is to empower students, teachers, and stakeholders to grow, lead, collaborate, and advocate for industrial and technological education and workforce initiatives. MITES hosts an annual student project competition each year. The students make projects in class on various machines using the skills they have learned while enrolled in the Manufacturing Careers Technology program. The projects are entered into categories depending on the complexity or type of project made.
BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Graphic Art & Design student Madeline Jonker (Martin) for winning the MI CEPD Council logo contest! Out of 107 entries from across the state, both Madeline and Lydia Athearn (Hopkins) made it to the top 10. In the end, it was Madeline's design that took the win! Her class even scored a well-deserved pizza part to celebrate!
The Michigan CEPD (Career Education Planning District) Council provides direction and planning for CTE (Career Technical Education) issues and works closely with the Michigan Office of Career & Technical Education on various initiatives. The council was looking for a new, creative design to be the face of their organization! The rules of the contest required that applicants must be enrolled in a Michigan state-approved CTE program and there were many specific rules for the design.
Building Trades 1 instructor Andy Bishop traveled with four students to the MITES State Competition, where they competed against 10 schools. The Allegan Tech Center Team included Aiden Troutner (PHS), Aidan Schwartz (HHS), Caiden Kuester (MHS), and Jacob Walters (OHS). The students receive the plans for the project at 5pm the night before the competition. The team and instructor then discuss and form a plan. The day of competition starts at 8am, and the team has 7.5 hours to complete the project. The instructor can only observe—no talking whatsoever to the students. This year 's project was a deer blind. Stay tuned to find out how they did!
📖✨ Take a sneak peek into the pages of the Peer Portrait book! 👀💫
From unforgettable faces to program pride, it’s all inside! 💥
Want to help keep the memory alive?
Grab your copy today for just $10 in the Front Office! 🏃♂️💨
Trust us—you’ll want to say, “I was there!” 💛
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We're Hiring an Automotive Technology Paraeducator! Join our team and make a difference! We’re seeking a Paraeducator to support high school students in our Automotive Technology program. This hands-on role helps students build technical and professional skills for life after graduation.
• Great pay & benefits; health insurance or cash-in-lieu, leave time, and State of Michigan retirement/pension options)
• 7 hours/day, 187-day work calendar
• Enjoy weekends, holidays, and summers off!
Learn more and apply online:
Visit www.alleganaesa.org > Job Opportunities
Questions?
Contact Joe Tenbusch at (269) 512-7800 or joe.tenbusch@alleganaesa.org
REMEMBER THESE FACES. KNOW THESE NAMES.
The "Peer Portrait" is here!!
Get your copy for just $10 - available in the Front Office starting 4/28!
Show some love to your peers, celebrate your community, and keep the memories alive!
#PeerPortrait #Allegantechcenter #RememberTheseFaces #KnowTheseNames
