As the school year winds down, there’s a lot to celebrate in the Web Development & Design program—and since I missed sending a 3rd quarter newsletter, this one will cover both!
Dual Enrollment Coming Soon
I’m excited to share that I am working with HACC to bring dual enrollment opportunities to the Web Development & Design program. Three courses are currently under review, with the goal of allowing students to start earning college credit right from our classroom as early as next school year. Long-term, I am aiming to build a pathway where students could graduate high school with an associate degree already in progress or even completed.
State Competition Success
FBLA
Several of our students competed at the FBLA State Leadership Conference in Hershey this spring. From our Web class alone, we had impressive finishes:
- 5th Place – Web Design
- 8th Place – Website Coding & Development
- 8th Place – Introduction to Social Media
You can read more about the event here.
SkillsUSA
Also in Hershey, we had students from Web compete in Web Design and Technical Computer Applications at the SkillsUSA State Conference. Our students demonstrated strong collaboration and technical execution under pressure—great work representing our program!
- 3rd Place – Web Design
Web Seniors
Our senior class has had a busy and successful year. From building real-world projects to earning recognition for their academic efforts, they’ve continued to lead by example. With NOCTI exams behind them and graduation on the horizon, this group has shown just how far hard work and dedication can take you.
A Huge Congratulations to Our Seniors
Our senior class recently completed their NOCTI exams—both the written and hands-on practical portions—and I couldn’t be prouder of them. They’ve spent four years building their skills and pushing themselves creatively and technically. These final exams mark the end of that journey, and their hard work showed. Great job, seniors!
Senior Recognition
Shoutout to two of our seniors who were selected as Rotary Club Students of the Month for March and April. This honor recognizes not just their academic success, but also their consistent effort and leadership in the classroom.
Digital Bathroom Sign-Out System
This year, our seniors engineered a custom-built digital bathroom sign-out system using a Raspberry Pi, 3D-printed housing, and connected LED indicators.
Photography Unit
Thanks to a Perkins grant, we’ve been able to introduce a professional photography unit using high-end Sony cameras and lenses. Our sophomores, juniors, and seniors have been learning how to capture strong assets for the web by studying composition, lighting, and the exposure triangle. They’ve also had hands-on practice editing in Lightroom to refine their images for digital use.
Upcoming Field Trip
Later this month, we’re taking a field trip to Messiah University to visit their Computer Science department. In addition to the academic tour, we’ll be using the beautiful campus as a backdrop for a photography walk, giving students the chance to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting.
Spring Advisory Committee Meeting
Our Spring Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC) meeting is scheduled for May 6. During this meeting, we’ll be reviewing the year’s progress and discussing curriculum updates for the 2025–26 school year. These meetings are a valuable opportunity to gather feedback from industry professionals and ensure our program continues to evolve with current trends and workforce needs.
Summary
Thanks again for your continued support throughout this school year. I look forward to finishing the year strong and celebrating with our students in the final weeks!
