WHS students explore in Tech Ed

The future is bright for students at Wahkiakum High School. The Technology Education program gives students the opportunity to earn college credit and get a taste of what the technological world has to offer.

The program has four options for students, all of which give a taste of computer-aided education. The courses, Graphics Communication, Computer Aided Design I and II, and Technological Projects allow students to find their niche in the world and run with it.

Instructor Tracy Schoeffler allows students to pick their own projects, but he doesn’t allow just anyone into the program. In order to get into Technical Projects, students must first take Graphics Communication and Computer Aided Design or CAD.

Occasionally, a student will express a desire to enroll in the program their senior year and never had the opportunity to take the entry level class. Schoeffler said math teacher Sharon Dennis will sponsor the student. She will keep track of the grade if he will monitor the student.

Junior Brittney Robbins, along with three other students petitioned Schoeffler last year for a space to build and rebuild computers. They cleaned out a storage room and an office was born. When a computer breaks down, or needs new parts, they are brought to the room so they can be rebuilt, Robbins said.

In order to rebuild a computer, all of the components of the machine need to be known. “It’s not as complicated as people think. You can open up a computer and start plugging things in, and if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t go there,” she said.

Senior Jon Murphy and junior Matt Harrison have both been in the technical program for going on three years. Murphy has built and rebuilt most of the computers in the school. “Last year, I learned what a college student would have to go to for two to three years without paying any money,” Murphy said.

Now he is teaching Harrison how to do the same. The program is pleasing to both young men. Harrison plans to enter into the field of Graphics Design, where Murphy plans to enter the Navy.

The program isn’t just about all things technical. Juniors Paige Kehrli and Sara Cothren with seniors Kristina Heiner and Jasmine Vasion decided the grandstands needed a makeover. It hasn’t changed in 18 years, Vasion said.

Schoeffler allows the students to do unique projects, or projects that will help the community, he explained. “We thought this would be fun.”

The students still had to research which paints to use for outdoors and the scale of the models for the writing in the background. Vasion is not only painting but documenting the project by taking pictures with a digital camera supplied by Schoeffler.

Vasion said Schoeffler makes a difference in the lives of his students. One year, she said, he had a kid in class who had a lot of emotional and social problems, but because of his program, she found a love of photography and eventually graduated.

“He trusts everyone so much and no one takes advantage of him. They use the opportunity that he gives. I think it’s wonderful.”

To enter the class, students do not need to be above a freshman. “It isn’t necessarily their grade, it is their motivation,” Schoeffler said. He expects his students to be self-reliant. Despite what some may say, entry into the class doesn’t just take good grades. It takes a maturity.

Junior Jordyn Kaattari has been working on a weather system for the school. She said Schoeffler provided her with a digital weather system she connected to a computer. Janitorial staff set up a pole outside that senses any inclement weather approaching.

Every morning, Kaattari comes into the office and takes the forecast which she turns into the school office to be read into the morning announcements.

When a storm approaches, the system will alert the user with an audio alarm. “They will usually have to get me from whatever class I’m in to turn it off,” Kaattari said. “Either that, or it will go off on its own as soon as it (the storm) stops.”

Kaattari and junior Kari Schillios are working to put together a student newspaper.

The paper hasn’t been published since January 1993. “The Muse,” will have history about the high school, sports and general interest stories. The name was decided because of “Mules” and “news” combined, Schillios said.

The first issue will be released June 1, then next year about once a quarter or every other month. They haven’t decided if there will be a charge for students.