The Integrated Systems Technology Academy of Engineering at Jack Britt High School was fortunate enough to help honor one of their own, Mr. David Crane. Mr. Crane is a former teacher and one of the fundamental driving forces behind the creation of the IST Academy.

The members of the academy already named the scholarship they put together for academy students after him, but on January 16th, 2020 a long time dream was finally achieved when they were able to dedicate his portrait and the scholarship winner plaques outside of the Principles of Technology lab he taught in for so many years.

Mr. Crane said at the reception “We’ve come a long way baby!” when presented with his portrait. Mr. Crane was saluted by his former co-workers as a man of integrity and wisdom and one of the “best teachers, mentors, and all around wonderful person." In an email to Mr. Genova, the academy drafting instructor, Mr. Crane said “In the almost 40 years I have been in the school system I have received several accolades but none that came close to the one given to me yesterday.” (Submitted by Kerry Humphrey)

The Integrated Systems Technology (IST) III Class at Jack Britt High School was visited by Danny Corwin, the Executive Director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Mr. Corwin was traveling from California to Dillon, South Carolina where the largest Harbor Freight Distribution Center is located. He took a detour and checked out the program and facilities along with answering questions from students. The IST Classroom/Lab will be getting a new pneumatics trainer, a programmable logics control trainer (PLC), and a sensors trainer. The purchases using the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize will assist students with their first level certifications in those areas of study via FESTO/NC3. (Submitted by Henrietta Jutson)