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Career and Technical Education nursing assistant students commemorate the end of their coursework

Students with CTE director and principal.
Career and Technical Education nursing assistant students commemorate the end of their coursework

Career and Technical Education nursing assistant students sat together with smiling faces at the community center at Mount Vernon High School on Monday, June 3, 2024, to celebrate the near completion of their program. All that is left is for scholars to take the New York State exam. 

The celebration kicked off with words of encouragement from administrators and staff at MVHS including principal Pauline Pearce, CTE Director Brian Simons and Nursing Assistant Instructor Bonnie Ball. 

“I’m super proud of everybody sitting at the table because I know that there are a lot of distractions around and you all really held onto your dreams and here we are today,” said Dr. Pearce. “The only thing that is missing now is the state exam. Mount Vernon has really placed its mark on the map, because of you and your dedication to the field. This is a tremendously happy occasion for us all; we are very excited to celebrate you, your parents must be super super proud.” 

Afterwards, students watched a slideshow presentation with photos of them and the hard work they did throughout their studies. The ceremony ended with lite bites and refreshments such as cookies and cupcakes as students congratulated each other. 

“I’m really relieved to finish this program,” said Ava Dilone, senior at MVHS. “I’m very grateful because I also just graduated from EMT school, and I have my state testing for nursing assistant soon. Being able to graduate with both my EMT and nursing assistant license, I’m super super blessed. Through this program, I learned that nursing is not the path I want to follow, but I do have a passion for medical, which is why I am going to do dental.”

Students smiling for the camera.
Students posing for the camera.
Students watching slideshow.


 

Student with Ms. Ball.

 

Hospitality Management program approved by NYSED as graduation pathway for five years
Hospitality Management program approved by NYSED as graduation pathway for five years

In just its second year as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway, the Hospitality Management program at Mount Vernon High School was approved as a graduation pathway by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The approval, effective for the 2026-2027 school year and lasting five years, allows students to receive technical endorsements for the hospitality industry after completing the program and taking the state-approved exams. 

Culinary students at MVHS bake pies for competition fundraiser and donations
Culinary students at MVHS bake pies for competition fundraiser and donations

Students in the Culinary Arts 3 class at Mount Vernon High School have been putting their skills to use to bake pies for their competition fundraiser, with any pies that they don't sell being donated to local organizations ahead of Thanksgiving! Students are raising money for the New York State Restaurant Association ProStart Invitational at the Culinary Institute of America in February. 

Shining Knights: MVHS senior Matthew Taylor
Shining Knights: MVHS senior Matthew Taylor

When Matthew Taylor arrived in Mount Vernon in 2023, he was a 15-year-old newcomer from Saint Catherine Parish in Jamaica and was unsure of what life in an American school would be like. In his native country, his average grade was a tad above 66. But within months at MVHS, the International Baccalaureate course candidate raised it to an impressive 85 and has stayed on the honor roll ever since.