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News for students, families and friends | June 2025

The Momentum Continues

As we close out the 49th school year at Career Tech and prepare for next year’s 50th anniversary, I can’t help but reflect on the immense successes that our students and staff have witnessed this year. Ten of our students were national qualifiers in their respective competitions and student organizations, and 578 students earned a spot on the Principal’s Honor Roll in the second semester. Success abounds in our building!

In December, Career Tech student counselor Karmin Olds and I will attend the ACTE CareerTech Vision Conference in Nashville, Tennessee after being recognized at the state and regional level for contributions to career and technical education. After seeing North Ed Power Equipment instructor Jared Diephouse recognized on the same national stage as a contender for Teacher of the Year in 2024, we couldn’t be more proud to have North Ed Career Tech represent Michigan and Region 1 at the national level these past two years.

Reflecting upon a half-century of guiding students to discover their interests and strengths in the world of career and technical education, we look ahead at another record enrollment for the 2025-26 school year. This, as a whole, is indicative of our talented staff as they always seek to put the needs of students first, delivering high quality instruction and student-centered learning experiences on a daily basis. Fifty years of Career and Technical Education right here in northwest Michigan is a tremendous milestone and we are proud to continue providing this service for students and school districts across the region.

Additionally, this September we will launch another state-approved career and technical education (CTE) program: Heavy Equipment - Diesel Mechanic. This program will operate on the grounds of AIS in Williamsburg, and we are incredibly excited to be offering this curriculum to students in our region. 

We congratulate all of our graduating seniors as they step out into the world to seek continued success. On behalf of the North Ed Career Tech staff, I wish everyone a wonderful summer, and we look forward to greeting new and returning students this fall!

Respectfully,

Pat Lamb

Northwest Education Services

Career & Technical Education Assistant Superintendent

Awards Night 2025

On May 27, Career Tech staff, students and families gathered at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa to celebrate the accomplishments of our students, their success during the 2024-25 academic year, and present scholarships and awards to our seniors. Each program and academic department chose their Outstanding Students of the year. We also recognized all Student Club winners. Through the support and generosity of the North Ed Foundation, the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, the NMC Foundation and several university partners, students earned over $110,000 in Academic Scholarships or Tools of the Trade Awards. This night is truly a celebration of student achievement and we are grateful for all who were in attendance.

No Place for Hate

Contributed by: Laura Miller, LMSW

This year Career Tech students formed a new club, the Voices Club. This club provided a space for peer-to-peer support and an opportunity for students to build awareness and support to challenge bias and bullying. Through the support of

No Place for Hate^®, a self-directed framework from the Anti-Defamation League, students organized activities such as an extensive "kindness chain" that wrapped the school hallways with reminders of the kindness they show to each other and student-led, school-wide discussion-based and active-learning activities to build awareness around challenging bias and bullying. This first-year club was such a success they achieved the "No Place For Hate School" status at Career Tech for 2024-2025 by completing several student-led engagement activities throughout the year. Congratulations students! 

Check the Student

Job Board

Did you know there are employment opportunities posted on the Career Tech website? Check it regularly for job postings in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. Current students and recent graduates are encouraged to apply. 

Golf Outing

It’s time to swing into action for a great cause. Please join us for the 30th Annual Career Tech Scholarship Golf Outing on Sept. 21, 2025, hosted at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Registration is open and hole sponsorships are available. Please contact Matt Nausadis at mnausadis@NorthwestEd.org or 231.922.6414 to learn more.

North Ed Foundation Pit Spitters Game 

Join us for a night on the diamond in support of Northwest Education Services' students. A portion of tickets purchased at this link will be donated directly back to the North Ed Foundation, a 501(c)3 established to support all students receiving services from North Ed.

Career Tech Enrollment How-To

Career Tech Pre-Registration Application

Students who would like to attend Career Tech may complete a Career Tech Pre-Registration Application for the 2025-2026 school year, which is located on the North Ed Career Tech website.

High School Counselor

Students who fill out the Career Tech Pre-Registration Application must also notify their local high school counselor that they are seeking Career Tech enrollment.

Notification

In May, local high school counselors will notify students whether they have secured a spot in a Career Tech program. New enrolled students will receive letters by mail in August inviting them to Career Tech orientations on Aug. 26 and 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Late enrollment will continue through mid-September for programs that still have openings at that time.

Questions

If students have questions about Career Tech enrollment, speak with a high school counselor or contact our Career Tech school counselors:

Barry Bialik, bbialik@NorthwestEd.org 

Karmin Olds, kolds@NorthwestEd.org

Jumpstart Your Degree with North Ed Early College

Students who enroll in the following North Ed Career Tech programs are eligible to apply for admission into the Early College program:

Get a strong start with North Ed Early College. You'll be on the road to a college degree, professional training and career readiness while saving time and tuition money. Contact Ashley Darga for more information, adarga@NorthwestEd.org

Northwest Education Services

Career Tech

880 Parsons Road, Traverse City, MI 49686

Tel. 231.922.6273 |  NorthwestEd.org