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Board Minutes for April 10, 2025

The school year is winding down. Keeping the students engaged this time of year is always a challenge. We’ve been fortunate to receive some new equipment to allow us to learn about cabinetry. The students have been making drawers and doors, and learning the intricacies of cabinet making. It’s a slower process than we are used to, but overall they seem to enjoy it. 

Classes held here are:

• Careers in Business (CIB)
• Culinary Arts
• Health Occupations Youth Apprenticeships (HOYA)
• HOYA II will meet three times each week on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

Construction Trades, CIB II & HOYA II have internship sites.
Construction Trades will meet at St. John's for safety training the first 2 weeks of school then meet at the shop by tennis courts of Freeport Middle School for class.

St. John United Church of Christ

1010 S. Park Blvd.

Freeport, IL 61032

(815) 235-2824

Agenda for May 8, 2025

Careers In Business (CIB)

May 2025

During the last month, CIB II students finished their internships, some with 300-400 hours over the required 240 hours, which is amazing and a testament to their work ethic. Then, they presented about their internship and future plans to the CIB I class. CIB I are working on resumes, interviewing skills, and finishing Excel as well as finding an internship, for those who are taking the second year of the program.

On a more personal note, over the last two years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know my CIB II students, watching them grow, make decisions about their future, apply to colleges/trade schools, and prepare to take the next steps in their life. It’s been so rewarding to be a part of.  

Class of 2025, I’m very proud of each of your accomplishments and who you have become! I will miss each of you so very much. Specifically, your intelligence, wit, teasing, stories, sports events, humor, and silliness that always makes me laugh…even when I don’t want to. J Please stay in touch and let me know how you are doing. I look forward to seeing all that you achieve!  ~Mrs. H

Congratulations to the following students on their achievements. Simply amazing!    

Outstanding Student – Year 1             Brayden Zissler           Pecatonica High School 

Outstanding Student – Year 2             Liam Swiss                 Pecatonica High School

Overall Outstanding Student             Brayden Zissler           Pecatonica High School

YEAR II STUDENTS

Name                               College/Trade                        Major or Career Area          Collegiate Sports

Brody Black                      UW Platteville                        Finance/Sports Management 

Maren Davis                      Iowa Lakes Comm. College   Accounting &Actuary              Softball

Jaxon Diedrich                  IBEW                                      Electrician

Ava Gasparini                   Rock Valley College               Accounting

Jordan Gassman                UW Platteville                        Finance           

Cooper Hathaway             UW Platteville                        Pre-Law                                    Baseball

Cooper Hoffman               UW Platteville                        Accounting                               Basketball

Brylee Knutti                    High Point University             Finance           

Sydni Lower                     US Oshkosh                            Marketing

Madison Roach                Highland CC                           Occupational Therapy

Liam Swiss                      Universal Tech Institute         Automotive /Diesel & Industrial Technology

Aurelia Vasquez              Highland Comm. College       Accounting/Marketing

Samuel Weitzel-Lopez    Georgia Southern                   Business Management

In the second half of April, students focused on practicing and preparing the Principal and Counselor Breakfast, which took place on 4/24. The class served breakfast burritos, cinnamon rolls, quiche, breakfast potatoes, and fruit salad. The meal was served buffet style and the food was well-received. In the first half of May, students will be practicing and preparing for the Mock Restaurant event, which will take place on 5/9. Students are able to invite 2-3 family members to the event, during which they are served a five course meal prepared entirely by the students. The menu consists of sliders, bistro salad, french onion soup, honey garlic chicken, and chocolate lava cake.

The students are down to the last hours of their senior year. It has been such a delight to watch each of them grow this year. They have battled with their next steps in life; choosing a college isn’t the easiest thing to do as a senior. The College Choice research project opened their eyes to the pros and cons of each university. But I believe that they have made amazing choices for their next step in their career paths.  

They have worked diligently at their internships while maintaining their school life as well as their social life.  While each student is required 288 hours per year for this course, several students have over 700 hours! Some have changed their career choice as they undertook their internships; finding a passion that will lead them into the next step of their lives.  

Students did a fantastic job during our integumentary system unit. They utilized common household items and made phenomenal simulated wounds. HOYA 1 assisted in voting for the most realistic wounds. Students used their medical terminology with the correct terms for their chosen wounds, described how the injury occurred, as well as first aid measures.  

Their comprehensive exam is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6th as the majority of the students will be finished on 5/9/25 and prepping for their 2025 high school graduation ceremonies. 

Updates from HOYA 1: We have had a busy April. The students have kept very busy working in the skills lab, refining and checking off on skills, and continuing their practice at clinicals. The last clinical was April 29, and everyone has now completed their state-mandated 40-hour training! This past week, the students worked on resumes, cover letters, filled out applications, and performed practice interviews with management from surrounding nursing homes. Over the next 2 weeks/final days, we will be reviewing and getting prepared for the state CNA exam. I am confident that by the end of the year, everyone will be prepared and do well on their exams!

Student comments:

“I have enjoyed learning about caring for others. And meeting different people from different schools.”

“I enjoyed learning how to do CPR and becoming CPR certified.” 

“I really enjoyed doing skills as a class throughout the year, and I loved clinicals; they were so fun to learn more about each time.”

“Recently in the Hoya program, I enjoyed all the clinicals I had these past month, and I’ve also loved learning about all the new skills.”

“My favorite part about this class was working with new people from other schools. Also, just making new friends. I am excited to get my CNA and start working as a CNA. I am also excited because I learned a lot of new stuff about CNAs and during job shadow.”

“At first, I was worried that joining this class might drive me away from Medicine, but as it progressed, I realized how important this field is to me. I’ve learned many crucial lessons and skills that will be valuable to me in the future. I’ve also built new friendships with the students in my class that I will always cherish. Thank you to Mrs. Miller for a great first year in Hoya!”

Board Minutes from March 6, 2025