DECA

What is DECA?

DECA is an international student organization that prepares high school and college students for careers in marketing, management, hospitality and finance. Totaling over 220,000 members in 3,700 schools which include DECA chapters existing in all 50 United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and Germany.

 

What is the point of it all?

DECA’s program of work is designed to create learning experiences that stretch beyond the traditional classroom. DECA works to help students develop both personally and professionally by encouraging activities and employment experiences that help develop character, leadership and a sense of obligation to their communities. With nearly a 75-year history, DECA has impacted the lives of more than ten million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals since it was founded in 1946. Their strong connection with DECA has resonated into a brand that people identify as a remarkable experience in the preparation of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs.

 

How does DECA prepare students?

Academically Prepared

DECA members are ambitious, high-achieving leaders equipped to conquer the challenges of their aspirations.

 

Community Oriented

Recognizing the benefit of service and responsibility to the community, DECA members continually impact and improve their local and broader communities.

 

Professionally Responsible

DECA members are poised professionals with ethics, integrity and high standards.

 

Experienced Leaders

DECA members are empowered through experience to provide effective leadership through goal setting, consensus building and project implementation.

 

DECA also offers students an exciting opportunity to compete for international honors, scholarships and monetary awards through DECA’s District, State and International Leadership Conferences. Students compete with a written exam and interactive role-play events to demonstrate their leadership and industry related skills. An absolute favorite among many DECA members, students look forward to testing their marketing and business skills against DECA Members from all over the world!

 

Who is involved in DECA?

Marketing and Entrepreneurship students may join. DECA has a proven record of executing dynamic partnerships with a wide variety of businesses, foundations, associations, colleges and universities. DECA’s partnerships are based on shared missions, identified goals and clearly defined deliverables. These partnerships, which make up our National Advisory Board, enhance the classroom experience by providing “real world” application to learning. In exchange, the NAB partners gain access to a network of classrooms and nearly 225,000 high school and college students who are working to prepare themselves to be leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

 

Teachers, DECA Advisors, and School Administration work to bring Marketing and Business classrooms to life by incorporating DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program into daily instruction and DECA chapter activities.

 

Who is the organization sponsor?

The sponsor is Ms. Anna-Lisa Wanack. Ms. Wanack can be reached at her Anna-Lisa.Wanack@vbschools.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FBLA

What is FBLA and how will it help my child?

FBLA is the national high school division of Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. FBLA helps high school students prepare for careers in business through academic competitions (FBLA Competitive Events), leadership development, and educational programs. Students will work on their skills on how to write a resume and conduct job interviews.

 

FBLA provides leadership opportunities, the ability to develop comprehensive skills necessary in business, including communication, innovation, teamwork and responsibilities.

 

Competitive events include a wide array of topics from website development, network design, cyber security, mobile app development and many others such as Business communications, computer problem solving, social media strategy and international business.

 

Competitive levels involve regional competitions from schools across southeast Virginia, State competitive events occur in April and National competitions are held annually at the end of June, each year located in a different city in the country.

 

Who is eligible to join the FBLA?

All ATC students who are currently in a Business/IT class can join, and students who previously were enrolled in a business class.

 

What are the fees to join?

There is a registration fee which includes local/state/national dues.  This fee may fluctuate by year but is generally around $15.00 per competition.

 

Who do I contact about FBLA?

Contact ATC advisors for more information.

Club Sponsor Ms. Linda Lavender, Linda.lavender@vbschools.com.

Club Advisor Ms. Katharine Sargent, Katharine.sargent@vbschools.com.

Club Advisor Mr. Michael Weber, Michael.weber@vbchools.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Technical Honor Society (NTHS)

What is the NTHS?

The National Technical Honor Society is an organization formed to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs such as all courses at the Advanced Technology Center. Check out https://nths.org/ for more information.

 

What are the requirments for becoming a member of the NTHS?

NTHS candidates possess an overall high school GPA of 3.0 or better and a minimum of 3.5 in Career and Technical Education courses. They are also free of any serious discipline issues.

Interested candidates will submit an application and references from teachers.

 

Why should a student apply?

Hardworking students deserve recognition for outstanding achievement in Career and Technical Education courses. Acceptance into the NTHS looks great to colleges and employers, so why not apply?

 

This achievement may lead to scholarships from the $250,000 annually awarded by NTHS. Several ATC students were awarded NTHS scholarships in the past few years.

 

The ATC community service project called “Safety Safari” trains young Virginia Beach elementary school students about online safety. The NTHS members run this program and have a blast doing it!

 

Who is the sponsor of the NTHS?

The ATC Web Design instructor, Ms. Kathy Sargent is lucky enough to lead this group. Feel free to contact her for more information Katharine.sargent@vbschools.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SkillsUSA

Who can join SkillsUSA at the ATC?

Students in the following ATC classes may join SkillsUSA: Information Technology (IT) & Cyber Foundations, Cybersecurity Systems Technology I & II, Network Administration & Cyber Defense I & II, Cisco Network Engineering I & II, Digital Design I & II, Engineering Design, Architectural Design, Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, Engineering Technology I & II, Game Character Design and Modeling and Simulation.

 

What is SkillsUSA?

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving more than 300,000 high school and college students and professional members enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations.

 

Where is it?

SkillsUSA is in high schools and college/technical schools. This organization has more than a quarter million student members annually, organized into 13,000 chapters and 54 state and territorial associations (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands).

 

What is the point of SkillsUSA?

SkillsUSA prepares America's high performance workers. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self- confidence, work attitudes and communication skills. It emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community service activities.

 

Who is involved?

Approximately 14,612 teachers and school administrators serve as professional SkillsUSA members and instructors. More than 1,000 corporations, trade associations and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA on a national level through financial aid, in-kind contributions, and involvement of their people in SkillsUSA activities. Many more volunteers work directly with state associations and local chapters.

 

What else?

SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. During the annual national-level SkillsUSA Championships, more than 4,600 students compete in 80 occupational and leadership skill areas. SkillsUSA programs also help to establish industry standards for job skill training in the classroom.

 

What if I am interested in becoming a SkillsUSA Officer?

Being a SkillsUSA officer at the ATC is an excellent way for you to learn practical lessons in leadership and teamwork. Everyone has a role: committee member, campaign manager, candidate or voter. When everyone participates, everyone learns. Officers set the tone of the chapter. By organizing and conducting meetings, organizing committees and carrying out chapter activities you can help make this year at the ATC GREAT! Your enthusiasm is not only important, but also vital. You set the tone and excitement level!

 

Who could I go to for more information?

For more information see Mr. Lee Troxell Lee.troxell@vbschools.com Club Sponsor or the following advisors:

Mr. Jason Baker: Jason.baker@vbschools.com

Mr. Thomas Goldsberry: Thomas.goldsberry@vbschools.com

Ms. Cecilia Hess: Cecilia.Hess@vbschools.com

Mr. John Nelson: John.nelson@vbschools.com

Mr. James Reich: James.reich@vbschools.com

Mr. Mack Stevens, II: Mack.stevens@vbschools.com

Mr. Michael Tunney: Michael.tunney@vbschools.com

Mr. Austin Whitehorne: Austin.whitehorne@vbschools.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology Student Association (TSA)

What is TSA?

A new ATC chapter of the Technology Student Association has begun! All ATC students in all classes are welcome to be a part of the TSA.

 

Become a part of a national organization that offers exciting opportunities in competitions, leadership, and connections to the community and businesses.

 

Challenge yourself to compete in a wide range of events such as Cybersecurity, Architecture, Computer Aided Design, Software Development, Engineering Design, Video Game Design and many others related to STEM fields.

 

Develop and demonstrate leadership skills.

 

Is there a cost?

ATC membership is already paid for all students to participate in competitions. There may be fees for registration to the two conferences above.

 

How can TSA benefit me?

Being a member of the TSA can help you set up connections with TSA partners like CompTIA, Apprenticeship.gov, and the Army Educational Outreach Program. The TSA is a well known organization and showing participation will demonstrate your skills in technology and ability to become a team member in a STEM related field.

 

Who are the teacher advisors?

Join our Schoology Group and contact our advisors for information about how to prepare for the virtual competitions.

Mr. Jason Baker: Jason.baker@vbschools.com

Ms. Cecilia Hess: Cecilia.Hess@vbschools.com

Mr. James Reich: James.reich@vbschools.com

Mr. Mack Stevens, II: Mack.stevens@vbschools.com

Mr. Michael Tunney: Michael.tunney@vbschools.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women in Technology (WIT)

ATC Women in Technology is an extracurricular organization for interested students to meet, volunteer, and network.  This group is exposed to and fosters dialogue about the unique challenges, issues and opportunities for females pursuing STEM careers.

 

Who are the WIT club sponsors?

Ms. Kathryn Lynn Baker, School Office Associate, Kathryn.baker@vbschools.com

Ms. Ann Marie Garvey, Assistant Director, Amgarvey@vbschools.com

Ms. Angella Heerema, Counseling Chair, Angella.heerema@vbschools.com

Ms. Cecilia Hess, Engineering and Architectural Design Instructor, Cecilia.hess@vbschool.com

Ms. Linda Lavender, Network Administration and Cyber Defense Instructor, Linda.lavender@vbschools.com

Ms. Katharine Sargent, Web Design instructor, Katharine.sargent@vbschools.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATC ESports

ATC Esports is a school-sponsored club that participates in a nationwide eight-week tournaments hosted by the High School Esports League and PlayVS. These tournaments aim to provide a competitive environment for high school gamers all over the country and gives them the opportunity to win scholarship prizes. The club is open to players of all levels and currently offers the following games, Smash, Madden, NBA2k, Minecraft, Rocket League, Hearthstone, and League of Legends.

 

Who is the ESports club sponsor?

Michael Weber, Software and Game Development Instructor, Michael.weber@vbchools.com