Students explore different options after high school; Alumni go into trades rather than university

REESE SHOWALTER Sports Editor

After graduation, many students chose to attend trade schools instead of college. Many of these students are very successful in their field, whether it's electrical, HVAC, welding, or mechanics.

Some start their trade before they even graduate and start their apprenticeship program after already working in the field. Others wait to get a job in the field until they have started their first semester of school.

Harford Community College (HCC) offers apprenticeship programs for those looking to go into these fields and become certified. These programs are a great option for those that want to go right into work and become certified in the field they are inter- ested in.

Alumnus Nathan McElwain, a graduate of 2022, works in the electrical field and is currently enrolled in the HCC apprenticeship program.

McElwain said, “College isn't for me. I wanted to go right into work. I knew I would be more successful going into a trade rather than going to a college that I had no interest in and knew I wouldn't do well.”

McElwain started working for Mattingly Electric before the end of the 2022 school year in April. “I started working so early because after my four years of school, I need 8,000 hours of work, so I wanted to get an early start on those hours.”

The apprenticeship program is a four-year-long program with classes twice a week that are

Working hard or hardly working

KIMBERLY ALLEN Reporter

HCPS is presenting a new youth apprenticeship program to students. This program will give students the opportunity to earn money and learn skills that will be helpful in today's job market, but will this new course work out in the long run?

Math teacher Mrs. Shelly Sparks said, “I think it's a great idea for high schoolers to work a job after school. It gives them a chance to make money in their free time. However, I have mixed feelings regarding the apprenticeship program.

She continues, “I think it's good because some students might not be able to work after school. Some students need to make money to help their families, but I think that kids shouldn’t feel pressured to get a job. You are young, enjoy life.”

It’s difficult to know what you want to do in life as a high schooler. There is still so much to learn and experience before you can decide at that age. The apprenticeship program is an option for career discovery. You can see what an industry might be like on sight, and decide if that form of work would be the right fit for you.

To apply for the apprenticeship, you must be a rising junior, junior, or senior, and be at least sixteen years or older. Some other requirements to be eligible for the program include having transportation, having at least one year of related instruction, having good grades and attendance, and must complete 450 hours of work-based training. three hours long.

If you stick with the apprenticeship program not only will you be earning a salary while still in high school, but you also earn high school credit for completing the program. This program is a pathway and can also be a completer course. Students in this program have an advantage over people who did not take this course, as they not only gain career skills, they also will have a professional network built.

This course will help you gain important industry skills and give you experience in different work fields if that is something of interest to you. If all standards are met students who take this program will also receive the Maryland State Skill Certificate.

To apply for the apprenticeship program, you will need to have a completed application, cover letter, and resume that you can submit to your school counselor. You’ll have to get a recommendation letter from a teacher that can be given to your school counselor as well.

When applying, make it clear what position/job that you are going to be potentially training for. If all looks well to the employer, then they will reach out to you with information regarding an interview.

If you have any questions please contact Joe Connolly at joseph.connolly@hcps.org, or Matt Johnstone at matthew.johnstone@hcps.org.

He added. “At my job, every day is different, which is what I like. One day I might be putting up lights in a kitchen and the next day I could be running 200 feet of conduit. It is always different, which keeps it interesting. I get bored pretty easily, so the different jobs really keep it interesting.”

McElwain talked about how he narrowed down his choices for which trade he wanted to be a part of. He said, “I like to make things work and fix things. It has always been a hobby of mine. It was mostly personal preference; I just knew when looking at things like welding that just wasn’t for me. Being an electrician actually really interested me and I thought I would be successful in that field.”

He continued, “I always knew I wanted to go into a trade. I was never great at school but I wanted to have a plan after high school. Going into a trade was a great choice for a student like me. I am so glad that I chose a trade instead of going to college.”

August return scheduled for 2023-24 school year; Reactions are diverse across the board

STELLA MANNS Sports Editor

Looking ahead to the 20232024 school year, students and teachers have mixed emotions about the new schedule.

The new schedule is set to have students return Monday, Aug. 28. This means that all people in the building will return before Labor Day, unlike the past couple of years. The last day of school without inclement weather days is supposed to be Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

23 scheduled closings and nine three-hour early dismissals are on the calendar for next school year. If all inclement weather days are utilized, the last possible day of school will be Thursday, June 13, 2024

In a poll of 114 students, of which were mostly underclassmen, 110 said they would rather return to school in September like past years. A mere four students expressed that they do like the return in August. Students who preferred the Aug. 28 return said it was because we might get out sooner in June.

The 2023 winter break will begin with a half day on Friday, Dec. 22. Students will return to school Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Spring break in 2024 will follow the same pattern as winter break. One half-day on Friday, Mar. 22, returning Tuesday, Apr. 2.

Secretary Mrs. Barabara Matthews is fine with the new HCPS calendar. She hopes that the students “will get out earlier in June and enjoy the summer before coming back.” One thing in question is whether students will be more productive coming back to school early. Matthews thinks that “this will be the test year” to see if students will be ready to get back to working in school. She is not concerned by the new schedule, as Matthews works year-round.

Junior James Ortt does not really like or dislike the new start date. Since he “is already at school for cross-country practice anyways,” going back in August is not too much of a change. As a student, Ortt thinks that an August start will “not increase productivity.”

As of right now, sophomore Brooke McElwain is “not overly excit - ed about erts is “kind of bored” and is not bothered by coming back so early.

Juniors Grace Conklin and Anna Gibson share similar thoughts on returning in August. Conklin expressed concern about the upcoming 2023 summer. “It is the last summer before” she “goes off to college” and Conklin is upset because this is her “last real time to hang out with friends before college begins.” Gibson does not think returning early is worth it, she would rather have “a summer to relax,” she thinks that “August should be designated for summer.” next year's school calendar.” The summer coming up is “going to be very short.” However, McElwain is “happy to be getting out a bit earlier next school year.” McElwain “thinks that going back before Labor Day might have some benefits connected to productivity.”

“Spring break should not be a week long, it should be how it used to be,” Conklin adds. “Winter break should be longer than spring break because you work up from the fall semester and get a break,” she expressed.

As a soccer, basketball, and lacrosse player for the high school teams, McElwain thinks that the new calendar “may affect how many games are played, specifically for fall sports, mainly.”

Not all students are annoyed with the school year change. Junior Raye Roberts is not opposed to returning in August rather September. She is excited to be “getting out earlier” than past years. By the time August comes around over the summer, Rob-

Rising sophomore, Payton Ivy “likes that school will be done earlier” in the summer. Since Ivy plans to play sports in August for high school she is not too worried about being back in the building late August.

English teacher and field hockey coach, Mrs. Carla Harward enjoys her summer however, “on the other end we [students and teachers] will be getting out a lot sooner in June. Mrs. Harward has “mixed feelings” about the topic, she is not “all upset about” the new calendar.

Harward thinks thinks the calendar has reverted back to a past schedule “because once seniors graduate” the “productivity really does decrease for other students because once they [seniors] are out of the building” students are wondering why school is still in session.