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CTE Ambassadors

Interested in becomming a CTE Ambassador?  

Interested in becomming a CTE Ambassador?  

Thank you for your interest!  The application period for the upcoming 24-25 school year closed on April 19, 2024.  Applications for the 25-26 school year will open in April 2025.  Please visit the College & Career Center on your campus for more information.  
 
2023-2024 CCA CTE Student Ambassadors

2023-2024 CCA CTE Student Ambassadors

Photos of ANHS CTE Ambassadors
CTE Ambassadors CVHS
DHHS CTE Ambassadors
SCHS CTE Ambassadors
SJHHS CTE Ambassador photos
Photo of THS CTE Ambassadors
LBHS CTE Ambassadors
What is a CTE Ambassador? 

What is a CTE Ambassador? 

A CTE Ambassador is a student who has taken, or is currently enrolled in, a Career Technical Education course, who wants to represent their school and community as a vital link between CTE classes and CCA Administration.  
  • Have the opportunity to network with business professionals, the community, and CTE students from other schools within CUSD!
  • Promote CTE courses and provide information to peers, parents, school staff, and industry partners both on and off your high school campus. 
  • Utilitze your leadership skills to educate and promote CTE through participation in events such as Innovation Showcases College Fairs, and Back to School Nights
CTE Ambassador Profiles

Learn more about the 2023-2024 CTE Ambassadors
CTE Ambassador Profiles

Select a High School to Read CTE Ambassador Profiles!

Select a High School tab to learn more about our 23-24 CTE Ambassadors including the Career Technical Education courses they are taking, what they enjoy about the class, recomendations for fellow students, and how it has prepared them for future career and college opportunities.  
 

Aliso Niguel High School

Name: Ava Adibi
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: I have taken Medical Innovation, Research, and Entrepreneurship and Medical Core with CCA in the past. I am currently taking Biotechnology. 
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
My favorite part of Medical Core was using and playing around with the Anatomage Table to learn about human anatomy. It was so fun being able to interact with the different structures and it made visualizing the human body so much easier! I remember having competitions and playing games with my classmates to see who could name the most parts of the body. I also loved how we were able to meet different professionals in the field, learn about their careers, and even gain internship/volunteer opportunities related to medicine.
 
Why would you recommend this class to another student? I would recommend this class to another student because it is a great way to learn more about the medical field, meet people with similar interests, learn more about the personal experiences of medical professionals, and gain access to internship opportunities.
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)? I plan on applying the knowledge I gained from my CCA classes when I pursue a career in medicine. I plan on majoring in Biology and the medical classes I took helped me lay the foundation for human anatomy and systems. The volunteer opportunities that CCA has introduced me to, such as volunteering at Mission Providence Hospital, have familiarized me with the medical environment and helped my interest in medicine flourish. CCA has offered me classes and opportunities that the school may not have had access to otherwise. Taking Biotechnology has helped me gain interest in a growing field I hadn't known much about before.
 
Name: Carina Leo
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: Architectural design, currently enrolled in Biotechnology. 
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
I loved being able to explore the many aspects that go into the creation of structures, specifically certain famous architects and their designs. It was also very exciting to have the opportunity to explore different technologies such as 3-D printers and laser engravers to adventure into new ways things are being made with modern technology. 
 
Why would you recommend this class to another student? 
I would absolutely recommend this class to another student. Even if somebody did not see themselves going into the field or architecture, I believe they would gain valuable insights into other elements of the field, such as hand sketching. 
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
I will take many aspects of my class into everyday life, including the sketching techniques I learned, and a newfound awareness of my surroundings and the processes behind creating extraordinary structures. I also plan on exploring biotechnology through another class, which is a field I may be interested in pursuing in the future. 
 
Name: Emily Ulrich
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: 
2022-2023: Forensics and Architecture Design
2023-2024- Biotechnology and Advanced Architecture Design

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class?
With Forensics, I loved all the topics we learned about, such as blood spatter, DNA, fingerprinting, and more subjects relating to investigating a crime scene. We always did a lab during class if we didn’t have notes or a test to take. For Architecture Design, I was taking the class as a VPA, or Visual Performing Arts, because it was a class that I needed to graduate. I didn’t realize that I would enjoy it so much that I would take the advanced class the next year. I really enjoyed that the class had no tests or quizzes and the material was easy to understand. I liked doing SketchUp, an online program that allows you to create 3D models of houses, stores, and even basic shapes. Even though I haven’t been in Biotechnology for awhile, I really enjoy the hands on approach of doing labs all relating to DNA and how to modify it into a substance that can bring benefits such as cloning, disease prevention, herbicide resistance, and genetically modify animals or plants. Advanced Architecture Design is similar to Architecture Design, but you don’t have to go through the basics of drafting, Sketchup, or later, AutoCAD.

Why would you recommend this class to another student? All the CCA classes that I’ve taken have been enjoyable to learn in. For the most part, you aren’t taking notes everyday. On most days, you do labs and get a hands on learning experience, which appeals to those who learn better with that type of learning. The best part is that there is rarely any homework, usually it’s work that didn’t get completed during class.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school, and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)? I was interested in Forensics before I took the class, but the class increased my interest in the subject. I loved the subject so much that I will be incorporating it into my future. I plan to major in criminology and accounting when I go to college. This will led to my career as a Forensic accountant, which combines both math and forensics.
 
Name: Tram Tran
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: Medical Core, Medical
Assisting, Pharmacy Clerk, Pharmacy Technician, Emergency Medical Technician
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class?
I enjoy the hands-on labs from all my medical classes where I learned to draw blood, inject medications, prep IV, process prescriptions, take vitals, triages, etc. It was quite the experience since I was so nervous and shaky
when I first started and now I am able to intern and do the same thing I learned in
class but now at a real work environment.
 
Why would you recommend this class to another student? If the student is interested in furthering their education and wants to take advantage of all their school’s opportunities then I will 100% recommend it. For me, CCA has been such a fulfilling experience that if I could go back in time I would take more CCA
classes that are available.
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next
class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
Definitely get a well-paying job with my certification and experience gained from the program. I want to work-study in college and these medical experiences will definitely give me ahead start on my nursing major and career as I have already had some experience in the work field.
 
Name: Sienna Roth 
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
I took Sports Medicine last year and I am taking EMT and Medical Assisting this year. 

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class?
All of my CTE classes have been amazing. I love the practicality of it. They are very hands on, with labs like drawing blood from classmates and taking each others’ blood pressure. They have really helped me figure out what I want to do in the future and push me toward the medical field. They also offer amazing opportunities while I’m still in high school; the EMT and Medical Assisting classes both have internships built into the program. I love the life experience I’m getting from these classes, and I’m so grateful that these are an option for high school kids now. 
 
Why would you recommend this class to another student?
I would definitely recommend these classes to others. My classes have helped me figure out what path I want to be on in the future, and I think anyone who might be interested in the medical field should look into them. Also, I would recommend pretty much any CCA class. They are such incredible tools for life. 
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next
class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
I know that I want to go into the medical field, and these classes have helped me get my foot in the door. They not only helped me decide what I want to do, but also make me look dedicated to colleges and careers. The two classes that include internships have a high likelihood that we will be offered a job after, so just that is extremely valuable. 


Name: Einat Shay
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
I have taken Rapid Prototype, Forensics, Biotechnology, Emergency Medical Responder,
Computer Science, and a Robotics class

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class?
I really enjoyed the Emergency Medical Responder class I took over the summer on the year Ientered high school. Although I have no plans to go into the medical field in the future, this class let me learn about what it would be like and let me see if I do or don’t want to pursue it. I also really loved the skills I learned there, such as CPR.

Why would you recommend this class to another student?
I think regardless of whether you want to become an EMR, this is a fantastic class I heavily enjoyed taking and would recommend to other people. Like many CTE classes, it’s very hands-on, which I love. We would learn the information and then get to apply it. It was also just so much fun and I met many great people who also enjoyed the class and we all loved working together on all of the various assignments.
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next
class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
All of the different CTE classes I took were heavily enjoyable and many let me see if I do or don’t want to go in the field. I know now I won’t become an EMR or a forensic scientist, but I also used these classes to further explore the fields I know I do love, such as computer science and robotics. These classes only furthered my interest in the fields and I know that I plan to go into some related field in college and hopefully further on in my life as my career. Without these classes, I would never have been able to see just how much I have a passion for programming
and robotics, but now I’m confident in my future career pathways.


Name: Adrienne Kao
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: 
Last year I took AP Computer Science A and Architectural design. This year I am taking AP Computer Science Principles along with Rapid Prototype.

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
In my computer science classes the projects that we worked on were the best part of class, especially the final project at the end of AP CSA. There were few restrictions on the project, allowing us to make anything we wanted, ranging from games to applications that could help with homework. Overall it was a flexible class where homework would all be turned in on the day of the test. Similarly, my Architectural design class had a lot of freedom and taught skills related to architecture and engineering like using the CAD program. Both classes were unique compared to my other A - G courses, which made it more enjoyable.

Why would you recommend this class to another student? 
I would definitely recommend these classes to other students as it would help to prepare them for careers in architecture and computer science. For architecture it was important to learn how to design different types of objects and buildings on SketchUp and autoCAD, applications that are often used for this career path. While computer science class is more focused on specifically only computer science, it does help by teaching how to code Java without prior experience. Which teaches the fundamentals of coding that helps later on.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
I plan to use these skills I have learned, in college as a major and a minor, hopefully even in my future job. 
 
Name: Amber Kao
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: 
In Junior year, I took a class on Architecture and AP computer science A. This year, I’m currently taking Rapid Prototype and AP computer science Principles.

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
I liked learning about the different architectural styles around the world, whether it was modern, high-tech, or renaissance it depended on the architect. Additionally, in the architecture class, we practiced using programs such as auto-cad and sketchUp which are essential to 3D modeling. There are practice sketches where we get to draw famous architectural buildings. Rapid prototype is also similar to sketches but focused more on block coding. Learning to create prototypes helps to fix any potential design problems or to present an idea to companies. In both my Computer Science classes, I enjoyed the variety of projects that incorporated each lesson that was taught. The projects help to understand the different aspects about coding as it allows you to try your own code and idea. The difference between the computer science classes is that computer science principles are more focused on the app design part while the computer science A class teaches the overall coding and it’s different uses. 

Why would you recommend this class to another student?
I would recommend all the CTE classes that I took because each one advances your knowledge on the subject. The classes give programs and experiences in what that career will have too. However, even if you don’t know what career to have, the CTE classes can help explore the different possibilities. It gives insight to what different careers will need or will do.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
In the future, I plan to keep my knowledge of coding in java, javascript, and hopefully more languages. There are a range of careers involving coding and the use of autocad programs. The knowledges developed in each of the CTE classes are targeted to potential careers which is beneficial to have experience in even before getting into the jobs related to them.
 
 

Capo Valley High School

Name: Katelyn Balagot
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: I loved video production because it gave me the opportunity to explore a new career path that I had yet to consider. The course offered me a full range of lessons; I learned cinematography, graphic design, writing/pilot development, and editing, which allowed me to explore all aspects of film production. I also was able to form strong relationships with my production team members, thus showing me how supportive the community can be! I am so grateful for this class for exposing me to editing, which is something I enjoy a lot and is a skill I can see myself furthering in the future.

Why would you recommend this class to another student? I would recommend this class for any student with an interest in the film industry as well as general movie enthusiasts! It is a great way to explore different career opportunities and experience what it is like to produce a short film, which can give students a good perspective on what skills they enjoy and would like to pursue. It is also a great way to meet new people. Some of my best memories from last year were in video production filming with my friends.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?  Next year, I plan to take TV Broadcast Journalism at my school to continue my interest in film. I’m not sure if I would like to pursue it as a career yet, but I am certain that film will be a hobby and a passion project for a long time.


Name: Omar Montes Lopez
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:  I have taken Engineering Design and Engineering Principles and I’m currently taking Engineering Manufacturing Tech and Video Production. 

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? I like that engineering is a four-year program, and I've been able to build friendships through the group projects we've done. I also appreciate the experienced teachers, as they have a lot to teach us in the field.

Why would you recommend this class to another student? I would recommend this class to students not only because it is fun, but also because it provides a great opportunity to explore their interests in the field.
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)? Next year, I plan to continue in the Engineering Design Pathway, choose a form of engineering as my college major, and pursue it as my career. 

Name: Kaitlyn Yainna
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:  I have taken Intro to Surgical Tech, EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) over the summer, Intro to Business Management, Sports Medicine, and am currently taking EMT (Emergency Medical Technician).

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class?   In the class that I am currently taking, EMT, I am given the opportunity to be hands-on and learn from people who have worked and done the job for a long period of time. It's so fascinating hearing stories and simply knowing you're learning from industry professionals. It's always a great environment, all the teachers truly have a passion for what they do and the students are like-minded! It's such an uplifting environment and I know that what I learn, I will take into the career field with me. Every CTE class I have been in has taught me skills that I feel I can apply in the real world.

Why would you recommend this class to another student? I would recommend EMT because you walk out of that class having worked on an ambulance as part of your internship and after you have completed this course, you can take the National Registry Test to become a licensed EMT when you are 18! I have never seen any class that lets you walk away with a certification you can start working from. The class prepares you for everything you will need to know. Both the students and teacher want you to succeed. You can truly feel the dedication, energy, and passion when you walk into that class.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?  I plan to use all of the lessons I have learned and take them with me into the medical field. My ultimate goal is to be a heart surgeon, but I would love to work as an EMT for a while as well. Walking away with a certification that allows me to do so by the time I am 18 is incredible.

Name: Samuel Lasater
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:  I have taken Intro to Sports Medicine and am currently taking Advanced Sports Medicine. I enjoy being part of a class that learns by doing hands-on activities.
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? I like that I actually get to do what we learn about in class and that I can apply myself in real-world situations.

Why would you recommend this class to another student?  I would absolutely recommend this class to someone interested in any type of medical or athletic training field. This class teaches about the different careers and opportunities that you can take advantage of.
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)? I plan on using what I've learned in these classes to help me in my college major, Kinesiology, and further down in my career, as I plan on going into the medical/athletic training field.


Name: Alyssa Hazzan
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? What I loved about my Business/Entrepreneurship class was how interactive it was. We learned from entrepreneurs, and our peers, and experienced real-world situations. 

Why would you recommend this class to another student?  I recommend this course because it helps you pave a pathway for your future. It is very hands-on and the class exposes you to many opportunities.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?  I plan on using the knowledge I retained from this to pursue a degree in Business management at a four-year college.


Name: Zane Braunstein
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:  I am completing the Robotics pathway, having previously taken levels 1, 2, and 3, and currently taking level 4, Robotics Autonomous Systems. I have also taken Intro to Engineering and Engineering Principles.

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class?  In all of my CTE classes, I love the hands-on experience I get on a daily basis. My Robotics and Engineering classes are like no other high school classes I have taken. Instead of just reading from a textbook and taking tests, we get to work on fun projects that challenge our creativity and problem-solving skills. Just the other day in my Robotics class, we had a project to build a catapult and compete against other students to see whose catapult shot the furthest. I got to use machines in the shop that are used in the engineering industry and collaborate with peers who are ready and willing to learn.

Why would you recommend this class to another student?  I would recommend these classes because they are a great transition from your traditional high school course into something you would see in college or on the job. Though regular classes can provide you with basic knowledge like math, science, etc., it would still be difficult to go from theoretical school lessons to actually designing and building. It is easier to learn by doing, and CCA classes provide the perfect opportunity to get your hands dirty so much earlier than others.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?  I’m planning on going to college and majoring in Computer Science, and my CCA classes have definitely helped me find this path that I enjoy. The programming I do on the Robotics Team improves my coding skills and allows me to apply my programming knowledge to hardware by controlling the robot. Even engineering-based skills like manufacturing and designing are immensely useful because now, if I have an idea of something to make, I have the skills to do it.

Name: Sanjana Sureshkumar
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:  I have taken Forensic Science and I am currently taking Intro to Business Management & Entrepreneurship and Cybersecurity.  I have also taken several additional high school and college courses in Computer Science. Forensic Science was my favorite class. This course offered hands-on experience with drug testing, blood work, and case work investigating and solving. 

Why would you recommend this class to another student? CCA Classes can help you determine your major for college as it did for me. Opportunities are endless and internships can be earned. These courses prepare you for real life problems. The Business course I am currently taking has provided me with real life applications. 

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?  I plan to major in Data Science and my Computer Science and Cybersecurity courses have given me tremendous exposure to these fields. 


Name: Dominic Phan
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:  I love the experience that the CTE program has brought me. I have taken TV Broadcast Journalism and Advanced Video Production.
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? These courses are directly helping further my future and find my passions. As a film student, the industry itself is very daunting and can be hard to get started in, so having the resources I need to learn the art while being in high school where I have all my friends, has made the difference in my learning curve. CAPOmedia has given me the opportunity to learn hands-on about different cameras and how to use high-quality equipment at a professional level. These courses have also given me the chance to learn and connect with people who are also people I work with each weekend. These relationships have made the difference in what I can make and what I will make in the future. 

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?  I came into high school having some ideas about my future, but had no reference to where or how I could explore them further. With CCA’s support, I was able to actively explore my future field at a high-quality level. I am preparing to attend a four-year university studying Film/TV Production with a minor in Advertising. During my time at Capistrano Valley High School, I was able to build up my resume, meet with instructors, and plan for my next step in the film industry. My dream job would be to be a Head Content Director/Producer for the LA Rams, LA Lakers, or USC Football.

Dana Hills High School

Kaden Georgia
The CTE classes I’ve taken are Medical Hospital Careers, Biotechnology, and Culinary Arts.
I really enjoyed how much they give you in these fields without making it seem overwhelming.
I would absolutely recommend these classes to other students, even if the topics don’t interest them, the experience and environment of these classrooms are the best. I plan to either go to veterinary school or go to culinary school because of the classes I took in HMO and my Culinary arts class. 
 
Zack Williams
CTE Classes: HMO Medical Hospital, HMO Medcore, MultiMedia Design, and AP Computer Science Principles

What I like/enjoyed about these classes: HMO Medical Hospital gave me real world experience in a hospital, teaching me a lot about medicine and getting me certified for different things like suturing and CPR. HMO Medical Core taught me how medicine works and general knowledge that is useful in my daily life. MultiMedia Design is teaching me how to edit and create different photos, which is very important in modern times. AP Computer Science Principles taught me how to code and create apps.

Do I recommend these classes? I recommend all of these classes, they are super fun and give you a lot of knowledge in the subjects. The one I recommend the most is AP Computer Science Principles, it is a very fun class that teaches you useful skills for the modern era. How this shapes my future: I will take all of the knowledge that I have gained through these classes and use them the rest of my life. Knowing how to edit is important for modern media, and CPR is a skill everybody should know. I plan to pursue economics in the future, which computer science will help me with organization and general knowledge of the subject.
 
Aidan Lindsay
I participate in the Robotics pathway and I absolutely love it!
 
This program has helped me learn about many practical engineering skills as well as grow as an individual! We learn how to design complex mechanisms, use heavy machinery to manipulate raw materials, program all movements of the robot, and even advertise our design for the opportunity to win awards at our competitions! I'm mainly fundraising money for the team and I'm learning so much about how to analyse a program and highlight the best parts of it to get a large donation.
 
I'd recommend this class to anyone with a vague interest in STEM! There's so much that goes into this team beyond making a robot! There's so many niches that I can't fully explain here, but everyone is able to find something and learn from it!
 
The things I'm learning in this class goes far beyond what I will use in high school. Within this course we are actively getting in-field experience that most collage students don't get. The skills this program teaches are incredibly important and very beneficial to learn in a low stakes environment instead of on the job, when thousands or millions of dollars are dependent on your skill and proficiency.
 
Alex Segal:
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: Concert band, Wind Ensemble, Biotechnology, HMO, Emergency Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technician.

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? I liked how much hands-on work you do on a daily basis. Rather than just learning by reading and looking at diagrams, you get to learn these skills by actually doing them, which makes for some great memories. In EMT one of my favorite memories I have with my friends was when we were learning about lifting and moving patients where I got to carry one of my friends by the arms and legs. The classes tend to let you form better connections with your classmates while also providing a fun learning experience for skills you may need later down your career path.

Why would you recommend this class to another student? I would recommend taking EMT to other students based on how fun the actual class is. Most of the work you do in class is hands-on with your friends so you get the full experience of what being an EMT is all about. Furthermore, it is an afterschool program so it does not conflict with many of my existing classes during the school day. One of the biggest perks, however, is the fact that by May you should be able to work as a licensed EMT. This is a great opportunity for anyone considering a medical-related job as it is a massive leg up over most of the other applicants you age in most of the jobs out there.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life? I plan to use this to help me achieve my hopes of getting a Bachelor of science in nursing to eventually become an RN. It will give me a large leg up and also some work experience while I am in college
 
Hayden Finley
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
Sports Medicine, Advanced Sports Medicine, Computer Science Principles.

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
I enjoy my class because I believe the information and knowledge I’m learning is very applicable and useful in life. The class information is practical. The hands-on learning aspects also keep me engaged and keep it enjoyable.

Why would you recommend this class to another student?
I would recommend this class to another student because it’s something new and useful and I found something I had passion for that I didn’t know where someone else could too.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life? I believe I could apply these skills to my everyday life. For example sports med has taught me to identify injuries and as an athlete I find this very applicable and important.

Vaughn Trager
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
Biotechnology.

I really enjoyed the content of the course. Writing out lab reports and procedures was not that bad but having the class period was always something I looked forward to too. The labs we did were awesome and never boring. Second semester was even better as the labs became significantly more complex when we started working with antibiotics, petri dishes, and CRISPR. They build off each other as well where what you make one day will be used the next lab. Certainly I would recommend the course. This is because the difficulty of the course is very fair when receiving honors credit. If you do the work then you will easily get a B, studying for the tests will get you the A. The teacher is awesome and the coursework is interesting.

Parker Fox
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
Culinary, Advanced Culinary. I enjoy that I will be able to use the skills that I learn in culinary for the future. I really appreciate my culinary teacher because she tries her hardest to supply us the ingredients to use in our cooking and she makes the classroom a very homely place.
 
I would recommend this class to another student because it teaches skills that you can utilize throughout college, and the rest of your life. You also get to eat good food at school which is always a plus. I plan to use this class to help me impress my colleagues in the future and to also cook food that I can enjoy. Once learning the basic skills, a recipe can mean a lot more to you than just a piece of paper.
 
Jessica Beutler
I have taken 2 years of Drama in the past. Currently I’m taking my 2nd, and last year, in the Actors repertoire class. I have been doing after school theater at Dana since my freshman year. I was also in choir in my sophomore year. Lastly I took theatrical production last year and this is my 2nd year I’m enrolled in it. I love all the acting classes I’ve taken as well as the theatrical production classes because I’ve grown such a strong passion for theater and business that I want to pursue it as a career. These classes have developed me into becoming an all around better performer. I’ve also learned how to promote, organize events, and shows. I’ve had the honor of playing amazing roles that have shaped my acting, and I have reached my way to becoming the Thespian President of the Thespian Society for my school. I also have had the pleasure of being the costume and makeup designer, and the publicity manager for our shows.
 
Through these CTE classes I’ve learned so much about designing, problem solving, and being a leader. I recommend taking Drama, Actors repertoire, theater, and Theatrical Production because they are really self-rewarding classes that bring you confidence, fun, memories, and so many close friends. I decided to try Drama in my freshman year, which was something new to me, and I never would have imagined I’d become as involved as I am in it now. As someone who loves to create and lead these CTE classes have benefited my talents to a greater extent to where I can pursue them professionally.
 
Joshua Alexander Pasion
I am taking HMO Honors Anatomy. I have taken Med core, med hosp, biotech, and orchestra previously. What I love about the CCA courses is taking courses that will affect me in the real world along with learning skills I will use in my future career. I would recommend the HMO pathway to have more in depth knowledge, experience, and skills to excel in the medical field. I want to do anesthesia with all of the HMO courses build the framework, base, and work ethic to excel in my goal to have a successful career. 
 

Laguna Beach High School

Name: Selena Hsu
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
Dance II, Medical Core Honors, MIRE (Medical, Innovation, Research, Entrepreneurship).

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? I enjoy learning different topics compared to the ordinary subjects that are taught in school. For example: Medical Core Honors teaches us knowledge and allows us to carry out hands-on activities to let us be more exposed to this area. Another example: is MIRE. The full name for this class is Medical Innovation Research Entrepreneurship. This class is a research-based class. Students form groups and find solutions to medical problems that existed currently in the medical area. Learning while exploring is really entertaining and motivating. 

Why would you recommend this class to another student? I would like to recommend others due to two really important reasons. Firstly, most high school students are not really sure what they like and what they would want to pursue. By attending CTE classes, it will allow them to be more exposed to different careers personally. Secondly, these classes are all free, so why not, get try and learn the knowledge? 

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)? I would want to pursue my career in the engineering field and medical fields. Hence, this knowledge and experience really introduced and built a foundation. Furthermore, after attending medical core honors class this year, I am going to attend the hospital career class next. 

Name: Alexander Romine 
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
I have taken AP Computer Science Principals, and am currently taking AP Computer Science A.

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class?  
I love that I get to do meaningful work in Comp Sci. I want to pursue a computer science degree and field of work, so being able to further my passions allows me to greatly enjoy the courses. I especially love that we get to work with new technology that most students don't have access to. That's what makes our computer science courses second to none. I also feel that our teacher is very knowledgeable and great at allowing us to grow as students.
Why would you recommend this class to another student? 
I would recommend AP Computer Science Principals to every student. It's a simple class that doesn't have a lot of homework and is a lot of fun. There is no reason not to be taking Computer Science Principals. And if you enjoy Computer Science Principles, you will enjoy AP Computer Science A. A is essentially an extension, so if you are passionate about the first class, you will be about the next.
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)? 
I plan to use the knowledge I have gained in these courses to secure myself a spot in a top university, as well as in my day-to-day life on the job. I'm looking to become a computer engineer, so it is crucial that I learn how to code correctly. In the future of high school, I will use this knowledge to do well in future computer science courses I plan to take.
 
Name: Cameron Rozell
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: 
Emergency Medical Technician and Medical Core Honors.

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
I thoroughly enjoyed my CTE classes as unlike traditional classes that utilize lots of paperwork these classes emphasize learning through hands-on work. I also liked how all of the instructors had their own experiences from their respective fields that gave me a perspective on what I was learning. Lastly, I loved that every instructor I had was passionate and committed to making sure I fully understood the material.

Why would you recommend this class to another student? 
I would recommend this class to another student as the application of it goes far beyond school. Students who become nationally registered EMTs can begin working as soon as they turn 18 giving them real life experience in patient care, which if they are trying to enter the medical field, is very useful.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
I plan to use this class to begin working as an EMT during my senior year. This will give me real experience in working with patients which will be useful as I’m trying to go to college to become a physician. I will also work in the summers during college to help pay for tuition.
 
Name: Hamza Bohra
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
Last year- After School EMT (Johnson)

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
I loved my EMT class as it was not only useful in real life but was also just a fun class and environment to be a part of. We learned vital information that can help save lives in the real world all while having fun in class. 

Why would you recommend this class to another student? 
I would recommend EMT to other students because taking this class sets you up immediately for a job after high school for free. Even if you do not want to go into emergency medicine and would rather do other things in the medical field, having an EMT license helps you tremendously in college as you will have on-field experience while still being a college student

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (i.e. next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
After becoming a registered EMT, I can get a job once I turn 18 next summer as an EMT as a way to make money and pay for college. I can also work as an EMT during college as I plan on going to med school.
 

San Clemente High School

Name: Aspen Rubinstein, senior
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: Yearbook (3 years)
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
Having the opportunity to share stories of my school community while promoting inclusivity around campus has taught me innumerable lessons through Yearbook. I love the relationships I’ve been able to cultivate within my school with faculty and staff and plan to use those skills in the workplace. 
 
Why would you recommend this class to another student?
A student will learn how to work in a team setting and gain leadership skills. The class will prepare you to become multi-faceted in photography, interviewing and writing skills, unlike a regular English class. These skills will aid you in connecting with your community. 
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life?
I will use the skills I have learned in communicating with others and working in a team throughout my life in many areas. The biggest thing I’ve learned is how to be a more effective leader through communication and in a team setting. 
 
Name: Jaslyn Curnow, senior 
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: Medical/Hospital Careers, Yearbook (2 years)
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
I love meeting new students and staff in Yearbook. I also get to take pictures all around the campus and get involved with school events. I loved my medical class because I learned SO MUCH from it! It was a fun, hands-on class and I got CPR-certified in it. 
  
Why would you recommend this class to another student?
 I would recommend Yearbook if you want to express your creativity and work with computer graphics. If you have any interest in the medical field, I highly recommend taking the Medical Hospital Careers course. I have gained so much knowledge and I plan on taking another medical course next year. 
  
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life?
I am currently applying for nursing programs at several 4-year colleges!
 
 
Name: Anna Kerhanovich, senior
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: Digital Photography & Yearbook
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
Through my CTE classes, I have been able to gain a greater sense of knowledge and understanding for atypical subjects. I was able to learn from experienced teachers in the field, who made learning a new subject interesting. I love getting hands-on within the subject, as well as exploring my strengths and weaknesses. 
 
Why would you recommend this class to another student?
I would recommend Digital Photography and Yearbook to any student who wants to get creative and gain useful life skills. I also recommend this class for the college and career exposure these courses bring, as you will be able to get hands-on, and dig deep into a particular subject. 
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life?
I am currently building upon the technical and story-telling skills I learned in Digital Photography in my involvement in the Yearbook class. I love that it allows me to get involved in my school community. 
 
 
Name: Sophia Miller
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: Culinary Arts, Stagecraft (4 years)
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class?
I love Stagecraft because it has truly opened up so many doors in my life. I have met some of my best friends and have had so much fun, all while learning about things that will help me in the future. I would have never ended up on the path that I am on if it wasn’t for being part of the makeup/hair crew. 
As for Culinary Arts, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease a few weeks into the class. My teacher helped me navigate diet restrictions, and made me realize that there are still endless possibilities of things I can eat.  

Why would you recommend this class to another student?
I would recommend Stagecraft as it has truly been a highlight of my high school experience. I think that it is such a unique way to get involved, and not a lot of people know about it. There is a crew for almost any interest, anything from costumes to lights. As for Culinary, I think that even if you aren’t planning to go into the culinary industry, it is a fun way to learn to cook for yourself.
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life?
Being part of the make-up crew has shown me all the different options of the make-up industry. While I have chosen a path away from theater, I am planning to major in chemical engineering for the cosmetics industry. 
 
 
Name: Ameerah Parker 
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: 3D Animation, Video Production
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
I like the way the class works: having a set assignment for a few weeks and having creative freedom to do what we like with that assignment. I feel like that motivates me more to do the work and actually learn something from it.  
 
Why would you recommend this class to another student?
It’s pretty manageable in terms of time commitment, and it gives you a lot of creative freedom. 

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life?
As the digital world grows, so does the job market for these industries. It would make sense to learn these skills for the future, as it will open up job opportunities for you. 
 
Name: Caitlin Tateosian, senior 
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: Digital Photography, Yearbook 
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
I like learning new skills which I otherwise would not have known. I can see that these skills will be transferable to my life in the future. 
 
Why would you recommend this class to another student?
I would recommend them since you make new friends and learn important lessons. 
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (ie next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
I plan on using my photography skills in everyday life to capture cool/fun moments. In Yearbook, interviewing new people has allowed for me to improve my intrapersonal skills

San Juan Hills High School

Moth Golba
I have taken two years of Stagecraft.  I enjoyed being able to create the technical aspects of our theater production.  The hands-on creating was engaging and I was able to create secure friendships.

If you don’t know what you want to do in the future or if you are interested in theater, this is a great class to experience.

I will take Theatrical Production next year and I want to minor in some sort of art or construction in college.

Savannah Hatz
I love taking Stagecraft because it is a hands-on class with a lot of activities, including working on theater sets and painting the homecoming floats for the football game.

I would recommend this class to another student, especially if they love tools and learning new things.  As I get older, I think these skills will be useful, either when I need to fix or build something, the skills I have learned will be helpful.

Sadeen Hindiyeh
I am currently taking Robotics.  What I love most about the Robotics program is the hands-on experience we get and the relationships I have made.  I have been able to enhance my communications skills through working in the professional environment that the program creates.

I would recommend the program to any student interested in any form of engineering and/or business.

Thanks to the Robotics program I was able to discover my passion for engineering and hope to major in computer engineering in college.

William Meshkin
I have taken 4 years of Virtual Enterprise.  My CTE class offers me specific opportunities to not only connect with my peers that hold similar interests and passions, but VE allows me the chance to test business ideas in a simulated real-life market.  It teaches personal finance tips, presentation skills and networking tools.

I recommend this class to any student interested in pursuing business.  This class gives students the free opportunity to see what some professions look like after college.

I plan on pursuing a career in the business/finance realm due to my passion and experience I’ve gained from VE.  This will manifest in having a business focused major in college and furthering my pursuance in career-focused internships.

Lily Parsons
I am currently enrolled in Veterinary Technician Advanced, and took Veterinary Technician 1 last year.

I love my CTE class because it allows me to preview the career that I know I want to pursue down the road. The fact that my teacher is a registered Veterinary Technician makes class so fun. We do exciting labs, and so many hands-on activities. I am learning information that will stick with me for the rest of my life and help me succeed in becoming a Veterinarian.

I would recommend taking this class because I know it is helping me choose what I want to do for my future career. It has opened my eyes to so many possibilities within the veterinary field, many of which I didn’t even know existed before taking this class. By taking a CTE class, I believe that it can help you find what you love doing. 

I have known since I was little that I have wanted to work with animals in my future. Being a veterinarian is something that I have always wanted to achieve, and is my primary goal in life. When my counselor informed me that this course was available to me I was thrilled! I have learned so much about animal medicine, and it will give me a leg up when applying to colleges and jobs in the future. By having a head start on learning several veterinary skills such as restraint, certain math skills, pharmacology, diagnosis, and many more, it has prepared me for my next step. 

Sammy Poppen
I am enrolled in the Robotics program and currently the President of the Robotics Team 5199.  I have also taken BITA.

Through the robotics course we are given the opportunity to use the skills we have refined to compete yearly on the robotics team.  From the competitiveness that you would get from a sport, but the communication and technical skills you can’t get anywhere else.  My life is robotics, and as President of the team, I push the fact that we are a sports team.

The skills that one can learn through this program are unmatched.  On the technical side, you not only know tool names, but how to use them.  You learn the design process and how to overcome challenges with a refined imagination that in my opinion you can get nowhere other than this team.  We are really a business in a sense.  We have to fundraise for our team and speak with tons of adults and go to meetings.  All of this gives students the leadership and communications skills most students don’t have.

I want to become a mechanical engineer and this class is perfect for that.  This class is not only for engineers though.  We have a business team, media team and statistics team that are all there to perfect and aid students’ goals in those fields.  This class/team is truly a jack of all trades.

Kate Radley
I have taken a lot of CTE classes!  I am currently enrolled in Criminal Psychology, Emergency Med Tech and the Medical Innovation, Research and Entrepreneurship (MIRE) class.  In the last few years I have taken Forensics Science, Emergency Medical Responder, Emergency Medical
Technician, and Medical Core. 

Forensics science has been one of my favorite CTE classes that I have ever enrolled in. You participate in hands-on activities such as fingerprinting, bullet trajectory, and crime scene investigation. In my favorite unit, we learned how to
solve the time of death for a deceased person based on the temperature. A teacher can truly make or break every classroom experience, but the CTE teachers who are hired are professionals in their study and are generally the best
people. I also highly recommend taking Emergency Medical Technician. In this class you get qualified with HIPPA, CPR, and other specific medical licenses.

I would recommend these two classes to another student because you learn teamwork, they can often lead you into specific careers, and you learn information about careers that you may never have thought of before.

In my current Emergency Medical Technician class when passing and completing at the end of the year, it allow you to take the state registry and upon passing you can apply to any Emergency Medical Technician company for a job.

Milan Tak
I have taken 3 years of Video Production and am currently in Advanced Video Production.  In my 4 years of Video Production, I have discovered that the things I love most is getting to work with new equipment, learn different softwares, interact with new people and have creative freedom.

I would recommend this class to another student because there is never a dull moment.  There’s always something new and cool to learn, including important life skills that will greatly help you in the future.

Video Production has lead me to find out that I am passionate about pursuing a career in film making or editing.

Tesoro High School

Name: Kendall Konick
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
-Child and Adolescent Literature
-Educational Psychology 

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
Some of the things that I had enjoyed in my CTE classes were the creativity, independence on assignments and overall exploration about the way children learn. I was always fascinated by how children see the world and are affected by it and the two classes I have taken have given me much insight about children’s perspectives and learning processes. For example, Children’s Lit taught me about how reading and writing affects the developmental stages of childhood and Educational Psychology is currently teaching me about some of the “nature and nurture” qualities children receive growing up. Also, I feel strongly that both teachers really enjoy teaching these subjects which are highly specialized. 
 
Why would you recommend this class to another student? 
I would recommend this class to another student who might be interested in working closely with kids, children's development or learning in general.
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (ie next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
I plan to use these classes in the future by applying what I have learned to  the study of the universal and psychological aspects of children and how people learn in general. I would also use this knowledge in combination with other dual enrollment classes ( cultural anthropology or sociology) I have taken or AP classes that discuss aspects of the subjects. 
 
Name: Aditya Shirolkar
Classes Taken/taking:
Medical Innovation and Research Entrepreneurship (MIRE), Robotics, AP
Computer Science Principles

What do I like about my CTE class: 
I like how the medical entrepreneurship class allowed me to tackle an actual problem and do my own research to solve the problem, while the robotics class allows me to get hands-on experience with tools I otherwise would never have encountered.

Why would I recommend this class to another student: It’s fun and all, but I also would
recommend it if you just want to explore or especially if you know you want to major in
something related. For example, I took medical entrepreneurship and now I want to major in
biomedical engineering.

How do I plan to use this in the future: I’m going to major in biomedical engineering, so I’ll
definitely be using robotics principles for designing and manufacturing, the approaches we
learned in medical entrepreneurship, and the power of the computer when it comes to using it
for data collection and analysis.
 
Name: Katie Collazo
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
I have taken Automotive Mechanics and I am currently taking Business Management/Intro to Entrepreneurship as well as Accounting

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
I really enjoyed the different experience of taking a class you are interested in for a career and can truly apply to your life past high-school. I also enjoyed the freedom the classes gave. Any niche or topic you wanted to look further into was always encouraged. You will get out of these classes as much as you put into them. Take advantage of them as much as you can.

Why would you recommend this class to another student? 
For anyone who is interested in Business or Automotive I recommend taking either of these classes as they are informational and use hand-on projects for teaching. 

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (ie next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
I plan to apply these classes towards hopefully opening my own business. 
 
Name: Becca Urman
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Actor’s Rep

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
 My business class taught me many useful skills such as taxes and buying a home that I will use throughout my whole life. It was also pretty fun and we did some neat activities, like building a business. My teacher was very nice and understanding as well.

Why would you recommend this class to another student?
If someone doesn't know much about how business works and how to take care of their own finances, this class is a good way for them to learn some useful starter skills.
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (ie next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
Although I may not be majoring in business, these skills will help me figure out my finances when I’m older. 

Name: Melrose Meder
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: Business Entrepreneurship and Accounting

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
The CTE classes I took gave me hands-on learning experiences in subjects that I’m passionate about. They taught me valuable skills that I can use both inside and outside the classroom and prepared me for a future career in these industries. I learned about applying to college, choosing a career, and grasped a great understanding of the workings of the business world.
 
Why would you recommend this class to another student?
Taking CTE classes gives students a great idea of what careers they might want to pursue in the future. The classes are fun, educational, and engaging, while also allowing students to earn college credits and a weighted grade.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (ie next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
I plan to pursue some sort of business major in college and eventually pursue a career around business. Taking business oriented classes gave me college credits for the classes I will need to take and gave me a head start in the material I will be learning in college.

Name: Melanie Silva 
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: In the past I have taken Veterinary Tech and this year I am taking business management, and educational psychology. 

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class?  In veterinary tech I was able to try something that I have always wanted to do as a kid. I've always enjoyed being in the company of animals so I liked being able to accomplish and learn about something new. I really like business management because it teaches young adults about finance and budgeting in order to prepare them for once they finish high school. I have been able to learn about my personality type and which jobs/ careers suit me best. My favorite CTE class so far is educational psychology because I find the human mind extremely interesting and I am very curious as to why humans, in particular, children think and act as they do.

Why would you recommend this class to another student? I recommend all of these classes to students because they are outside of the “normal” school curriculum and allow for students to learn about something new. These classes allow students to figure out what they want to do when they are older and what they possibly are not interested in doing. For example, educational psychology teaches students about the adolescent mind and the way it works. I am interested in being a pediatrician when I am older so this class builds a base of knowledge for this field. 

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (ie next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)? I plan to continue to take classes relating to medicine and physiology. These classes will help me after high school because they direct me in the way to the medical field and psychology. I plan to possibly take med core next year and or sociology.

Name: Dylan Vallone
 CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking: Robotics level 2/ level 3

What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
Three things I really enjoy about the CTE program are the application of real world concepts that I am learning in school, the hands-on learning style of the classes, and the supportive and collaborative environment that the teachers and students create.

Why would you recommend this class to another student?
I would recommend this class to another student because it is a great way to get hands-on experience, learn how to work in a productive workspace, and further your knowledge in applied sciences.

How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (ie next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)? I plan on using the skills I have learned to help me in everyday life (working as a team, solving problems, exploring new skills, and critical thinking) and furthering my future career in science.
 
Name: Mae Den Sison
CTE class/classes that you have taken/are taking:
Medical Core
Medical Innovation Research & Entrepreneurship (MIRE) 
Medical Hospital Care
Business Management
 
What do you like/love/enjoy about your CTE class? 
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to take these CTE classes. I loved being able to meet people who are interested in the same career pathway as me which resulted in beautiful friendships. They taught me how to improve on communication, problem-solving and teamwork. I loved being educated by experienced teachers who specialized in each course who were understanding, supportive, and hardworking. I wouldn't regret taking these classes. 
 
Why would you recommend this class to another student?
I would recommend these classes to other students because without these opportunities I would have never known if the career I want is meant for me. I honestly can say that my high school education was saved because I truly would have been lost without CTE. 
 
How do you plan to use this in the future, in high school and/or in life (ie next class you might take, and/or college major, and/or career)?
In the future, I hope to use the knowledge and skills I’ve learned and apply it to my college major and my career. Based on the CTE classes I’ve previously taken, I choose to go down the medical pathway and become a doctor. They  will surely aid me in medical school and life after high school.