Thirty-six St. Clair County TEC students placed in the top three at the regional SkillsUSA competition, qualifying the group to move on to the state competition in April.

On February 8, students from seven programs at the St. Clair County Technical Education Center competed. According to a weekly newsletter, overall, TEC had more than 50 students compete in the regional contest that included categories such as auto and collision repair, construction, digital media technology, engineering and robotics, metal machining, and welding. Students from Culinary Arts competed at the regional contest on Feb. 7.

The photography contest in the Digital Media Technology category and Information Technology will have their regional contest later this month. In all, St. Clair County TEC is expected to have more than 70 students from 10 programs compete at the State contest in Grand Rapids April 17 to 19. 

The St. Clair County Technical Education Center (TEC) is facilitated through St. Clair County RESA and provides high school students with the opportunity to develop skills that help them find their place in the work world.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Small towns often have the biggest hearts and last Friday’s high school basketball games between the Yale Bulldogs and the Cros-Lex Pioneers proved it. The girls’ and boys’ teams both brought their compassion and respect to the games with the “Coaches vs Cancer” Game. Both schools worked together to raise awareness and support for local families who are dealing with cancer and its effects in their own ways.

A second-grader, Brynlee Wing, who attends Avoca Elementary in the Yale District, who is fighting neuroblastoma, was honored and supported at the game along with her family. The family of Travis Campbell, whose brother is the Cros-Lex Boys’ Basketball Coach, was also supported as they grieved the young man’s loss to cancer just that week. 

To raise money, organizers held a 50/50 raffle and in the end, the winner donated his prize back to the cause. Over $1,200 was raised to be split between the two families. Yale won the girls’ game and Cros-Lex won the boys’ game, but both towns showed their winning spirit and showed what being a neighbor means for these rural communities.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

One of St. Clair County’s largest career fairs is already filling up. St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is looking for businesses to attend the annual career fair, but participants will want to move fast. The fair is not until April 23, but the college is lining up employers who are looking for new recruits. SC4 says that the Career Fair traditionally brings in hundreds of students, alumni, and community members who are just getting started in their careers or are looking to make a job switch.

There is also a partnership with other stakeholders in the economic scene in the area. The Blue Water Chamber and Economic Development Alliance (EDA), along with the Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works agency and the City of Port Huron and McMorran Place all have a hand in the Career Fair. According to Bonnie DiNardo, Director of Community and Alumni Relations at SC4, “The Career Fair is a great opportunity for employers in our region and across the country to showcase their company, network with other employers and, above all, find the best candidates from our community’s rich talent pool.” 

Along with getting to meet potential employees face to face, employers registered with SC4 can take advantage of the college’s online employment system for both students and alumni, Career Coach. Interested employers can get the registration details at sc4.edu.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The second semester in many K-12  schools has barely gotten started, yet many districts are planning for next year’s Kindergarten class. Many public and private schools have announced their Kindergarten Roundups. Parents of future kindergarteners need to get a few things in order to get their little learners ready for school. 

Schools require an original birth certificate, two proofs of residency, and records of immunizations. If families are thinking of sending their kindergarteners to a school that is not their neighborhood school, as determined by their address, now is the time to look at the schools of choice process. Details are on district websites for moving within a district. Details for moving to another school district are on the St. Clair County RESA website. Children need to be five years old by September 1 to enroll in Kindergarten, according to Michigan law, but parents can request a waiver for a younger student. Most districts require registration for Kindergarten Roundup. Details have been listed on district websites and social media pages.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Local freighter captain, Joseph Ruch, has been elected Grand President of the International Ship Masters Grand Lodge during the national convention that was recently held in Port Huron. Ruch is a retired Master at the Interlake Steamship Company where he captained the Honorable James L. Oberstar freighter. 

Captain Ruch said, as Grand President of the International Ship Master’s Association, for the ensuing year, he has been entrusted with the governance and sustainability of the historic association. He said he plans to “establish and maintain communication with regulatory bodies to help ensure the safety of navigation on and the protection of our Great Lakes.” He also said he, “will endeavor to support the education and training of Mariners young and old, through scholarship and mentoring, so that they may continue to appreciate the splendor of the Great Lakes, our home.” 

The Ship Masters held this year’s convention at the Blue Water Convention Center where the group celebrated 130 years of guiding lake freighters safely through the lakes with an Oktoberfest theme and entertainment from the Blue Water Kings Band. The International Ship Masters Association gives out scholarships to maritime industry cadets and also advises both American and Canadian legislative and regulatory agencies regarding maritime navigation, infrastructure, and safety issues.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.