High Tech North’s graduation Tuesday night sent more than 200 local students from the classroom to the job market.
The career and technical school, which opened in August of 1993, focuses on teaching its students marketable skills for direct use in the workforce. Graduates from the school are leaving with degrees in Culinary Arts, Digital Design, Medical Coding, Practical Nursing and more.
High Tech North’s graduation ceremony was held inside the cafeteria, yet not every graduate was present at the ceremony because some graduated in the winter.
City Manager Carl Schwing was the featured speaker for the Class of 2010.
“You have worked hard, persevered and tonight you are being recognized for what you accomplished,” said Schwing. “What you have gone through is a process of reinvention.”
Schwing offered advice to the outgoing students, including to always demonstrate a positive attitude, don’t be afraid to share ideas, do more than what is expected and always do the best you can at work.
High Tech North Director Michael Schiffer congratulated the students for their hard work. He also said that four students – Sally Blue, Frank Costa, Veronica Jackson and Timothy Rowe – from the school recently earned the master level certification for Microsoft Office, the highest level anyone can achieve.
“They are the first to accomplish that here at High Tech North,” said Schiffer, adding he hopes more students pursue this certification in the future.
The degrees presented to High Tech North students on Tuesday night are certified by the Lee County School District and Florida Department of Education. Sue Roshon, director of Technical, Career and Adult Education in Lee County, represented the school board and Superintendent James Browder, and she assisted Schiffer in honoring the graduates.
After the ceremony the school served refreshments made by students in the Culinary Arts program.
High Tech North is at 360 Santa Barbara Blvd. North, and for more information about classes or programs visit nvt.leeschools.net .