News Blog

Zach Price, Jon McKinney (Instructor) and Eddie Gilbert  The Computer Information Technology class at McKenzie is currently building a network to manage and control the new Wireless Access Points to be installed throughout the campus. Wireless Access Points were purchased by the school to allow greater internet availability throughout the facility for the students who use smart devices.  This will allow each student greater access to resources and will facilitate learning when students access online libraries, study resources, and tutor apps that are offered via textbook sites and other online training.
Eddie Gilbert, Bret Bunyard and Zach Price are learning to build a Firewall/Router from concept to implementation. They are building the physical machine from parts, and then installing the operating system to run the network routing, proxy, and filtering.
The CIT class will be working in conjunction with the Green Technology class to complete the installation. The Access Points are powered using a special power adapter called a P.O.E injector, which injects power over the same cable as the data. Green Technology teaches and certifies in Low-Voltage cabling, therefore, they will handle the installation of the APs and the power injectors. Soon the entire campus will be Wi-Fi ready.Bret Bunyard and Eddie Gilbert
Eddie Gilbert, programming 

Our students have brought home the WINS!

4 Gold Winners: 

• Larry Burcham for Welding Sculpture
• Shannon Matz for Job Skills Demonstration
• Cody Scronce for Automotive Service Technology
• Joey Pickard for Sheet Metal

3 Silver Winners:

• Joseph Redmond for Sustainability Solutions
• Curtis Mathis for Electronics Technology
• Troy Herbison for Secondary Electrical Technology

3 Bronze Winners:

• Joey Davis for H/VAC
• Tyler Dunning for Electrical Wiring
• Mark Rainey for CNC Milling

McKenzie TTC was also awarded the coveted James D King Award for Division III. This award is presented to the school with the highest total points at the end of SkillsUSA competition.  Points are awarded based on number of contest entries and level of award earned.

Larry Burcham-Welding Program (Gold)Shadows of the Deep
Tyler Dunning-Green Electronics Technology (Bronze)
Joseph Redmond-Green Electronics Technology (Silver)
Cody Scronce-Automotive Technology (Gold)
Joey Pickard-HVAC (Gold), Donald Gearin-Electronics Instructor, Shannon Matz-Green Electronics (Gold)

McKenzie TTC Awards Day was held Friday, April 19th.

59 Students received Diplomas or Certificates in their selected Program

15 Students received perfect attendance for the Fall 2012 Trimester

8 Students were inducted into the Honor Society for Spring 2013

Congratulations to all of our graduating students!


 
Auto Instructor-Dan Townsend and Adam Askew
Computer Info Tech instructor-Jon McKinney and Sandra Grider
Industrial Maintenance Instructor-John Mehan and Kenneth DriverPerfect Attendance for Fall 2012
Front L to R: Kenneth Gilliand, Jason Wisniewski, Joey Davis and Quanddus Van Dyke
Back L to R: Willie Byrd, Clyde Underwood, Randy Pierce, Michael McNeely and Bill Adams
Not Pictured: Adam Askew, Greg Eaton, David Hall, Bradley Bone, Colin Daniels, Daniel Vancil

Honor Society Students
Front L to R: Tammy Markowski, Deborah Turnbo, Katharine Adams, Larry Burcham, Randy Pierce
Back L to R: Deborah Frizzell, James Rose and Bill Adams                                                                 
 
Green Electronics with Instructor Bruce Moore

Welding Technology 3rd trimester student, Larry Burcham is ready for his SkillsUSA competition.  Larry has worked the past couple of months on his project entitled "Shadows of the Deep".  He stated he encompassed all the welding skills and he has learned through out the program. 
 With welding instructor: Jimmy Kee

The Green Electronics and Welding Programs have worked hand and hand to get the TTC @ McKenzie entry ready for the Fish Fry Parade to be held in Paris on April 26.

The theme is "Sunfish Powered" The Welding Program formed and detailed the fish, welding it onto a hook and securing it to the golf cart.

The golf cart was procured from Jackson State Community College and modified with solar panels by our Green Technology Program.

The Industrial Maintenance Program 2nd trimester students built a Motor Control Trainer with Transformer Supply from the ground up. 

L to R: James Brown, instructor-Bob Donald and Robert Bullington

Nine employers braved the rainy Thursday to make our Career Fair a success.  The majority of our students participated in hopes of acquiring a promising new career.
Department of Labor and Workforce held a resume building and interview skills seminar. 
WIA (Workforce Investment Act) held an informational seminar outlining the benefits and scholarships they offer.

We would like to thank all the employers and students who participated to make the Career Fair a success.

 Jackson State Community College

 Dana

 Express Employment Professionals

Greenfield Products

Tennessee Technology Center @ McKenzie assisted the City of McKenzie in establishing a call center at city hall. The project consisted of building eight workstations for use in voice-over IP (VOIP) calling, which will assist the city in gathering valuable data for business recruitment to the area. The city is using proprietary software developed by XM Solutions; a database development company. Students from the CIT program built and installed the needed equipment, which consisted of eight workstations, and all needed networking components. The Computer Information Technology instructor, Jon McKinney oversaw the project.“It was a valuable experience for the students and will be an asset to the city.” – Jon McKinney
  

 

The Penny Drive raised a total of $508.67 for Student Senate

Winners:

1st Place: BST (Business Systems Technology) with a total points of 104.51 raising $212.63.

2nd Place: Machine Tool with a total points of 69.51 raising $100.71

A special Thank You goes out to all who donated and all who counted

 

Sue Berry, Student Records Coordinator, was nominated and recognized in the top 5 for the Shining Star Outstanding Staff Award at this year's ATEA (American Technical Education Association) conference held in Chattanooga last week. 

Sue received her diploma in the Business Systems Technology Program in 1997.  She has been employed with the McKenzie TTC for about 14 years.  She would like everyone to know that she truly enjoys her job and working with all the staff and students. 

 L to R: John Penn Ridgeway, Assistant Director; Sue Berry, Student Records Coordinator and             Dr. Brad White, Director  McKenzie Tennessee Technology Staff attending the ATEA Conference in Chattanooga

Skills USA sponsored the McKenzie TTC Womanless Beauty Review held Friday, March 15th.  Twelve contestants participated raising a total of $200.   The results are below (L to R): Matthew Frizzell- 2nd maid, Jonathan Cozart-4th maid, Tony Stroud-1st maid, Ricco Dunlap-3rd maid and Hunter Hill-Queen      


 Mom and "Daughter"

 
Tennessee Postsecondary State Officers (pictured L to R): Treasure Joyce Nelson- TTC Ripley; Vice-President Kristina Evans- TTC Knoxville; Secretary Misty Smith - TTC Chattanooga; Reporter Joey Pickard- TTC McKenzie; President Nathan Mortimer- TTC Hohenwald; Parliamentarian Tommy Hatton- TTC Chattanooga; and Sargent at Arms Tony Hamblin- TTC Oneida.
 Tennessee Technology Center SkillsUSA State Officers Train with Leaders of State Government
 Tennessee Technology Center (TTC) students elected to serve as SkillsUSA State Officers attended officer training on January 28 & 29, 2013 at the Tennessee Board of Regents’ Central office in Nashville, Tennessee.  While at training the state officers and their advisors toured the State Capital Building, met with the chairs of the Senate and House Education Committees, and attended Governor Haslam’s state-of-the-state address.  During their legislative visits, students  shared the value of their education; the value of public career and technical education to their respective communities; the quality of their education and training; their occupational plans; and, the benefits of their participation in SkillsUSA. They explained that today's workplace requires people with leadership, teamwork and communication skills to participate in high-quality systems. SkillsUSA has been successful in developing these skills in students of all ages and backgrounds.
 
SkillsUSA is a national organization serving more than 300,000 high school and college students and professional members who are enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations.  It has the active support of over 1,100  corporations,  trade associations, businesses, and labor unions at the national level. Student membership in SkillsUSA offers leadership, citizenship and character development programs and activities to complement skill training. Its programs help students prepare to go to work and on to further education. SkillsUSA emphasizes respect or the dignity of work, high standards in trade ethics,  workmanship, scholarship and safety. It promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and encourages the development of patriotism through democratic practices in local chapters.