Port Arthur students’ career paths come into focus during Pathway to Success
Published 12:28 am Saturday, March 23, 2024
Memorial High School’s Career and Technical Education program students Alberto Blanco, left, Matthew Smith, and instructor Danny Smith as joined by Port Arthur Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Porterie during the Pathway to Success Luncheon at the Carl Parker Center. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Oscar Rivera, who is a member of the computer maintenance program at Memorial High School’s Career and Technical Education program, is pictured. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Criminal Justice program members Justin Martin, left, and Aaron Rice, right, are joined by instructor Angela Dugay, center. Martin plans to pursue a career as a defense attorney and Rice as a detective. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Members of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Program to present the colors at Thursday’s event. (Mary Meaux/The News)
A photo of the welding program’s entry in the Houston Rodeo Livestock Industrial Craft Competition. (Courtesy photo)
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Alberto Blanco and Matthew Smith firmly believe their training through Memorial High School’s Career and Technical Education program is preparing them for future careers.
Blanco, a senior in the welding program, plans to take part in training at Standard Alloy following high school and see where life takes him from there.
Smith, a junior, also in the welding program, will likely work in the industrial field, getting training from Sonoran Desert Institute to become a gunsmith.
A plus for both students is through the CTE program at the high school, they have OSHA certification, Blanco said.
The welding students are ending their school year on a high note after competing in the Houston Rodeo Livestock Industrial Craft Competition.
Port Arthur Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Porterie called on instructor Danny Smith during this week’s annual Pathways to Success Luncheon to present the program with a proclamation from the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce on their awards in Tier 1 Safety Program, reserve champion and third place for project execution.
The competition, according to Houston Rodeo, helps foster the development of industrial craft skills for students enrolled in career and technical education programs from schools across the state.
In the competition, teams construct a spec-built project that is judged by industry experts.
The Pathway to Success Luncheon, held at the Carl Parker Center, brings together the Port Arthur Education Foundation and Lamar State College Port Arthur with Port Arthur Independent School District students, thus allowing for important career networking.
Carol Hebert, manager of public affairs for Valero Port Arthur, sat at a table with members of LSCPA’s softball team, where she gave insight into careers.
Students/team members Rayven Ramos, Marisa Rosales and Makayla Marquez are working toward their futures in various fields.
Ramos, of Corpus Christi, is taking general studies courses and will likely go into marketing. Rosales, of Victoria, is working toward a degree in kinesiology with the goal of becoming a coach, and Marquez, of Bryan-College Station, is taking business courses that she will use with her cosmetology certificate.
Students with Port Arthur ISD and LSCPA showed their coursework on tables that flanked the gym, where the luncheon was held.
Memorial CTE senior Oscar Rivera is in computer maintenance classes and sat at a table near a set of drones. He plans to use his knowledge from the program for a career in the U.S. Navy as an IT technician.
