This year’s plants have produced a bumper crop and FCTC is selling the harvested peppers to the public with proceeds returning to the horticulture program.  Fresh, harvested peppers sell for $10 per pound, direct from the campus shade garden, behind Bldg. F, 2980 Collins Avenue.

To place your datil order, email ude.ctcfnull@gnik.trebor or call 706-318-0946.

While on campus, enjoy lunch in Walter’s Reef Café, when school is in session.  Reservations 547-3455 or for a daily menu go to www.fctc.edu.  Aspiring student chefs create new recipes daily and perhaps you will spot a delicious datil dish on the menu?

* Note* In July, the FCTC garden will harvest and sell fresh zipper peas, rattlesnake green beans, yellow crook-neck and zucchini squash, watermelons, and cantaloupe. Check www.fctc.edu frequently for availability and pricing.

Jodie Johnson, FCTC Instructor, coordinated the inter-active session for Administrative Office and Medical Administrative Specialist students to meet competencies as outlined by the Florida Department of Education curriculum frameworks.

“Student objectives were to demonstrate money-management concepts, procedures and strategies,” said Johnson.  “Ms. Matthews shared a “Budget Toolkit” that helped students with an overview of personal and family finances, management of resources including income, saving and investing, spending and credit, the role of financial institutions and the consumer, consumer information and taxation and financial planning.”

Enrollment accepted for Administrative Assistant and Medical Administrative Specialist classes with financial aid for qualifying students. For info, email ude.ctcfnull@ofni or call 547-3282.  For gainful employment disclosures, please visit the consumer information page at www.fctc.edu

Attached:  FCTC students participated in Money Management workshop included,  l-r:  Mary Brown, Carla Brock, Amanda Beck, Kat Mackie, Cynthia Letcher, Keano Wawzynski,  Danielle Matthews, Stephanie Baldwin, Jodie Johnson, Mary Wiles, Andre Bennett, Irene Ferro, Louise Austin, Rebecca Perry, and Caty Strohminger.

Graduates represent St. Johns, Putnam, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Marion, and Volusia counties.  Each received a white cap with a blue stripe representing FCTC’s school colors and name pins symbolizing a commitment and dedication to the health profession.

FCTC’s nursing program is 47 years old and many in our community credit the college with the origin of their profession.  Students complete a stringent course of study including hands-on clinicals at BayView Care Center, Putnam Community Medical Center, Palatka Health Care Center, and Kindred Hospital in Green Cove Springs.

Accredited by the Florida Department of Health, FCTC offers classes in Palatka and St. Augustine with financial aid for qualifying students.  Applications are accepted for upcoming classes and prerequisites apply.  Call 904-547-3471, email ude.ctcfnull@nerraw.arbed  or go to www.fctc.edu (click programs) for an application.

Attached photo:  FCTC nursing graduates at recent capping and pinning ceremony: 

Front, l-r:  Dorothea Arlene Arnold, Christina Kerestesy, Annie Atwell, Gina Mazzella, Angelique Willis, Lateshia Robinson, Lorri Rosseland, Monika Wilson, Sharon Ajede, and Deidre Nelson.

Second row:  Brenda Squaire-Fields, Lillian Duckworth, Donshiatesse Banks, and Tinkey Anderson.

Back row:  Timothy Hardbarger, Mark Crandlle, Rebecca Thompson, Kea Hall, and Angela Highfill.

Not available for photo:  Harry Kalkai and Lateshia Robinson.

FCTC students toured the Spice and Tea Exchange to sample spices and teas from all over the world.  During their visit, Proprietor Colleen Messner invited students to select an item and create a signature recipe to serve weekly at the store on Wednesdays this summer through July.  Several students accepted the challenge and a new menu item will be presented created specifically for the Spice and Tea Exchange.

Students also visited the San Sebastian Winery with objectives to explore Florida wines, see how they are made and bottled, participate in a tasting with a wine expert and join in a wine-pairing session.

Several times annually, FCTC’s Culinary Arts students tour various establishments to keep current with foodservice trends.  Enrollment accepted for Culinary classes with financial aid for qualifying students.  For info, go to www.fctc.edu, call 904-547-3282 or email ude.ctcfnull@ofni

Attached:  Amy Graham, FCTC School of Culinary Arts student, at the Spice and Tea Exchange during a recent field trip.

Instructors from FCTC’s St. Augustine and Palatka campuses select students that represent their career pathway in the most positive and influential ways.  Students were also recognized for placing in regional and state competitions throughout the year.

Top honor, the Award of Excellence, was bestowed upon Cyrus Bowie, from the Massage Therapy program, who has achieved his Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) certification.

“Cyrus has demonstrated exceptional skills throughout the program to achieve national certification with one of the highest scores I’ve ever seen,” said Tim Davidson, LMT, MAOM.  For gainful employment disclosures, please visit the consumer information page at www.fctc.edu.

Attached, left:   Cyrus Bowie, Massage Therapy graduate, FCTC Award of Excellence recipient, with Tim Davidson, Instructor.

Over six hundred family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered recently in the First Coast Technical College Conference Center in St. Augustine during the college’s Summer Commencement Ceremony.

Nearly 300 Certificates of Completion for Career and Technical Education programs and General Education Diplomas (GED) were presented to students from FCTC’s St. Augustine and Palatka campuses.  Forty-five Putnam residents were recognized for program completion.

FCTC’s award-winning School of Culinary Arts presented a refreshment reception after the ceremony.

FCTC’s Summer 2013 Graduates from Putnam County:

Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Technology:  Cameron Cates and Paul Duphily.
Aircraft Fabrication & Assembly Technician:  Robert Allman, Quinton W. Cates, Joe Kilpatrick, Clint Langford, and Joshua Paul Smith.

Applied Welding:  Delton Feagin and Casey Peacock.

Automotive Technology:  Fabian C. Funk III, Lorin J. Holt and Jose Torres.

Cosmetology:  Tracie Achor, Alexis Bivins, Jeanie Gigon, Christina Hunter, Jasmine Jackson, Brittany Menefee, Jessica Miller, Caitlyn Nuss, Veronica Peñaloza, and Miranda Woods.

Facial Specialty:  Rachel Turner.

Landscape Management:  Shane Jacobs.

Massage Therapy:  Mayra Jaramillo.

Nails Specialty:  Rioshy Green and Shannon Vincent-Pitts.

Patient Care Technician:  Judith Beach and Michelle Sanders.

Practical Nursing:  Donshiatesse Banks, Mae Borders, Brittany Dallas, Hope Dixon, Angela Highfill, Desirae Jackson, Jennifer Jordan, Angelina Mercado, Felesiah Oliver, Heather Ricks, Amy Rivera, Lateshia Robinson, Katrina Smith, Rebecca Thompson, Jennifer Tripp, and Cheryl White.

Attached photo:  FCTC Graduates available for photo from Putnam, seated, l-r:  Mae Borders, Heather Ricks, Donshiatesse Banks, Felesiah Oliver, and Angelina Mercado.

Standing, l-r:  Miranda Woods, Jessica Miller, Joshua Smith, Robert Allman, Joe Kilpatrick, Rachel Turner, Michelle Sanders, and Casey Peacock.

Honors graduates led the processional and nearly 300 Certificates of Completion for Career and Technical Education programs and General Education Diplomas (GED) were presented to students from FCTC’s St. Augustine and Palatka campuses.

FCTC’s award-winning School of Culinary Arts presented a refreshment reception after the ceremony.

FCTC’s Summer 2013 Honor Graduates:

Culinary Arts:  Mark Apel, Erica Argueta, Colvin Frisby, Ramona Hesler, and Sarah Hunter.
Cosmetology:  Stacey Fermin, Rose Rubino and Lynn Williams.
Gasoline Engine Technology:  Robert Augustine, Melvin Haddix, and Christopher Thompson.
Massage Therapy:  Cyrus Bowie.
Nursery Management:  Timothy Mack.
Practical Nursing:  Jennifer Jordan, Michelle Mackie, Gina Mazzella, Heather Register, and Katrina Smith.

Attached, seated, l-r:  FCTC honor graduates available for photo:  Sarah Hunter, Ramona Hesler and Erica Argueta.
Standing, l-r:  Lynn Williams, Colvin Frisby, Timothy Mack, Gina Mazzella, Christopher Thompson, and Rose Rubino.

When Harry Kalkai began First Coast Technical College’s Practical Nursing program in January 2012, he had no idea his Army National Guard unit would be called to duty the week before he was to graduate.

“Harry commuted daily from Ocala and these students have gone through the entire program together and looked forward to completing together,” said Patricia Rench, FCTC Health Careers Coordinator.

FCTC’s pinning ceremony was scheduled for May 30th and Kalkai had to report for duty on May 24th.  “During rehearsal on May 23rd, there was sadness within the class because they all wouldn’t be together to be recognized for their achievements,” Rench continued.

Therefore, it was a total surprise to all when Mrs. Rench presented Harry with his personal pin, symbolizing the “rite of passage into the nursing profession”.   “This is a symbol of the care and devotion nurses provide,” Rench told Kalki.  “You’ve earned the recognition and it’s my honor to present it to you.”

Sally graduated FCTC in 2009, achieved her MBLEx certification and went to work in PonteVedra.  “I didn’t like loosing two hours a day to a commute and was delighted to begin my clinic in the World Gym Beach on A1A.”

Long Life Massage opened in Nov. 2012 and has been profitable since, as Sally implements methodology to relieve the majority of client joint pain.  Her customized techniques bring improved blood flow to injured areas through a form of reflexology.  Clients say Sally’s recommended supplements have helped with weight loss, sleep and fatigue.  “After four months of massage and supplement therapy, one client lost 50 pounds and is free of joint pain, diabetes 2, asthma, and acid reflux.”

Sally can be reached at 806-8602 or moc.oohaynull@m008suezhtebazile

Applications accepted for FCTC’s Massage Therapy program with financial aid for qualifying students.  For gainful employment disclosures, please visit the Consumer Information page at www.fctc.edu.  For info, call 547-3282 or ude.ctcfnull@ofni

While on-duty performing their clinicals, PCT students Brenda Raber, Cassie Gilbert, Judy Beach, and Michelle Sanders had the opportunity to view a ShandsCair Flight Helicopter.

FCTC Paramedic students perform their clinicals in PCMC’s emergency room, so Tina Corcoran, Steven Wallace, and Lance Robinson joined the tour.  A combination of intensive care and rapid transportation, the helicopter has helped care being rendered in the hospital emergency rooms.

“This was a great opportunity for FCTC students to get a closer look at the options available to them in the ever-changing healthcare industry,” said Leslie Vinson, FCTC Instructor.

Applications are accepted for FCTC’s Patient Care Technician and Public Safety programs with financial aid for qualifying students.  Call 386-326-9000 or 904-547-3282 or email ude.ctcfnull@ofni