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Kansas City, Kansas Area Technical School
We're Proud of Our Students! |
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Bautista describes her experience at ATS as “fast and furious. My class was very tight knit and supportive of one another. The instructors were the best. They laid a fantastic nursing foundation.” Frankie Davis, a 1988 graduate of the KCKATS Practical Nursing program, is now Assistant Director of Nursing Retention at the Kansas City Kansas Community College. She is also a certified Geriatric Nurse. Special comments about her ATS experience include “the daily interactions with friends” and “the early development of critical thinking skills I have today.” Stacy Davis went through two KCKATS programs, Office Assistant and Administrative Assistant, and graduated as a member of the National Vocational Technical Honor Society in 2004 and 2006. A certified Microsoft Officer User Specialist in Word, Excel and Access, she was hired this year by ATS as secretary for student records. “Eight years ago I didn't know where I'd be today,” she explains. “I was 19 with a child and on welfare. For seven of the past eight years I went living from place to place and job to job. In the meantime I had two more kids and was going nowhere. My life needed to change. That is exactly what happened when I enrolled at ATS. I continued to struggle financially while attending school and thought many times about quitting . . . but what would I gain... probably another dead end job. Now I'm proud to say I'm off welfare and making more money than I've ever made.” “I love my job and couldn't ask for more. I can now look toward the future with pride, knowing I can give my family and myself what we need in life. Thank you, Kansas City, Kansas Area Technical School, for making that possible.” Joan F. DeMoss graduated in 2004 from the Medical Office Assistant program. In 2006 she received certification as a registered paraplanner and now works for Financial Security Advisors in Prairie Village, KS. She is proud of her record of perfect attendance and straight “A” grades at ATS. Serving as president and vice president of her Business Professionals of America chapter is another highlight of her time here. Clifford Eden, a 1994 graduate of the KCKATS Machine Technology program, serves on the program advisory committee. He is employed at Everseal Gasket as a die technician, where he builds and maintains steel tooling. A member of the National Vocational Technical Honor Society, he took first place in the Precision Machining competition at the 1994 Kansas State Skill Olympics (now SkillsUSA competition). Thomas V. Hartnett II completed the Multimedia/Video Production program in 2006. A member of National Technical Honor Society, he is currently the on-site production manager for Aching Backline Rentals in Mission, KS. He is also the stage manager, video director, webmaster and photographer for the Beatles’ re-enactment band, Liverpool. He came to ATS specifically looking for training and assistance in re-mastering the Liverpool video library into an automated presentation and show sequence. “Being allowed to build and publish a master project that is on display in front of thousands of adoring fans” was the highlight of his experience. “ATS is like getting hold of a Mercedes and driving it for a year free,” Harnett commented. “I couldn’t find training like this any place else.” Hartnett also serves on the ATS advisory committee and as a judge in the multimedia field at the National SkillsUSA conference each year in Kansas City. Leslie D. Kennedy works as a senior designer in the JC Penney Salon at Legends Village West. She graduated as a member of the National Vocational Technical Honor Society from the ATS Cosmetology program in 2000. She has gone on to receive special training in the Mizani system of products, relaxer instruction and Matrix training in color. She is grateful “for having Mr. Brown and Ms. Anderson as the very best instructors at ATS the year I attended. I wish all instructors were that good. Thanks for my special experience to start my career.” Mark Ladesic graduated from the Heating and Refrigeration program in 1983 and is now president of Ladd Service Company. He started his ATS training during high school, and after completing postsecondary certification went on to graduate from KCKCC. A member of the ATS advisory committee, he is ACCA board and NATE certified. A special memory of his time at ATS is placing 3rd at the state VICA (now SkillsUSA) competition. Elizabeth McAdams is a graduate of the KCKATS Early Childhood Education program who is now working at Tender Hearts Preschool and Child Care in Kansas City, KS. She is the lead teacher for the 2-year-old class. “I really enjoyed my class!” she commented. “The atmosphere was open, friendly and relaxed. It made learning fun!” Gary Rabenau completed the Accounting program and now serves as a member of the ATS Advisory Committee. He is employed by Alphapointe Association for the Blind, working in accounts payable. At his 2001 graduation, he was named to the National Vocational Technical Honor Society and honored for his perfect attendance. Sherie Ragan graduated from the KCKATS Computer Applications program in 1997 as Karen Sherie Tracy. A member of the National Vocational Technical Honor Society, today she is a valuable part of the staff as the ATS Resource Center Secretary. ATS is a family affair for Sherie; one of her daughters completed the CNA program in 2006, and the other is currently enrolled in Health Careers as a high school student. “My first day of work was also my graduation day,” explains Ragan. “I love helping students and seeing them attain their goals.” A past national contestant, she continues to be very supportive of the SkillsUSA organization and serves each year as a judge at the national conference. Katrena Roberson is another example of KCKATS graduates who have been hired back to work at the school. She completed the Accounting program in 2007, and now is the Student Records Secretary. A member of the National Vocational Technical Honor Society and Business Professionals of America, Roberson is a second generation ATS grad. Her mother, Deborah White, completed the nursing program in 1977. Karen Schelert is also a designer/stylist at the JC Penny Salon at the Legends Village West. She graduated with a certificate from the ATS Cosmetology program in 2002. “Mr. Brown never gave up on me,” she commented. “He always told me to worry about myself. He was an awesome teacher.” Wayne Snider has started his own dynasty from KCKATS. A 1999 graduate of the Heating and Refrigeration program, he now owns and operates WEST Heating and Cooling in Edwardsville, KS. The W, E and S in the company name stand for Wayne, Eric and Steven. Snider’s oldest son, Eric, just graduated in March from the ATS HVAC program, and his younger son, Steven, is currently dual-enrolled as a senior from Bonner Springs high school. A licensed Master Mechanic Contractor, Snider serves on the advisory committee and has great memories from his days at ATS, particularly placing 2nd in the SkillsUSA competition. Helen States graduated from the KCKATS Early Childhood Education program in 2006 and has received her National CDA credential. She is currently employed as the lead teacher in the toddler room at the Franklin Children’s Center in Argentine. A member of the National Vocational Technical Honor Society, she was also honored for her perfect attendance and as Outstanding Student in her program at ATS. “Ms. Kathy was very informative and gave me some wonderful inside tips to help me when I started working with children,” explained States. “I will always be grateful to ATS for the learning experience I received.” Murle M. White retired in 2000 after 28 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Bethany Medical Center. She graduated in 1972 from AVTS (as it was known then). White enrolled in the program at the age of 32, having never attended college before. “I appreciated the in depth class work and clinical which prepared me for my career,” she commented. |
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