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On February 14, 2013 MTI dedicated its new Main Campus located at 6305 State Road 70 East. Shown here are some of the MTI Alumni Association members who took part in the ceremony.

MTI Opens New Main CampusQuarterly NewsletterVolume 1 Number 3

Alumni Association NewsReminisce on the past. Connect with the present. Strengthen the future. Get started today!

Interim School District Superintendent David Gaylor, Chair of MTI Board of Governors, John Ziemnicki (third from left) with School Board members Bob Gause, Karen Carpenter, David Miner, Julie Aranibar, and Barbara Harvey cut the ribbon.

Officially opening the MTI AA office are MTI AA President Elect Earl Stockton, MTI AA Board Member

Mary Knight, MTI AA Archivist Hilda Bravo Torres and MTI AA Executive Director Virginia Sirocky.

Dr. Mary Cantrell, MTI director, is all smiles as she experiences her “labor of love” becoming a reality.

Board Member Mary Chilton becomes a Life Member of MTI Alumni Association

MTI Dental Assisting Director and MTI AA Board Member Kimberly Bland

The Mission of the MTI Alumni Association• To foster a sense of pride in and commitment to MTI while enhancing its reputation and prestige.• To provide a vehicle by which alumni may be re-engaged with MTI.• To offer networking and other opportunities for MTI alumni.• To offer mentoring, career seminars and job fairs for alumni and students.• To ensure the on-going recognition of outstanding achievements by alumni, students, faculty and friends of MTI.• To strengthen MTI corporate and community partnerships as well as to actively give back to the community.• To strengthen legislative advocacy for MTI.• To develop greater resources for MTI in order to further its mission.

Benefits of Membership• Job Postings • MTI Matters

• Board and/or Committee Membership• Job/Career Fairs

• Career Enhancement Workshops & Seminars• Networking Events

• Image Enhancement Workshops & Seminars• Mentoring Program

• MTI Alumni News E-zine• First Responders Challenge

• Others TBD

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OFFICERSTim Hyden, President

Training/Safety OfficerEast Manatee Fire Rescue

Earl Stockton, President-ElectEnvironmental Health & Safety Officer

Scientific Diving Program AdministratorMote Marine Laboratory

Mike Bryant, Treasurer & President Emeritus

Vice PresidentFawley-Bryant Architects

Hilda Bravo Torres, Secretary/Archivist

PresidentBravo Immigration Services

COMMITTEE CHAIRSCommunications Committee

Torry KauffmanState Reports Supervisor,

Manatee Technical Institute

Membership CommitteeRosemary Wiley

Community Leader, Manatee County

BOARD MEMBERSSteve AusbornBIM/IT Manager

Bessolo Design Group

Kimberly BlandProgram Director, Dental Assisting

Manatee Technical Institute

Mary ChiltonEconomic Development Council

of Manatee County

Anthony GaglianoAssistant Director of Business Services

Suncoast Workforce

Bridgette HalliburtonAcademic Coach

Bridges to Careers Program

Mary KnightPresident

Computer Essentials

Joshua MatlockDirector of Business Services

Suncoast Workforce

Kathy MatthewsCareer Counselor

Manatee Technical Institute

Jormarie Mere-BeamanRecruitment & Retention Specialist

Manatee County School District

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORVirginia Sirocky

NEWSLETTER DESIGNNikki Harville

Earl Stockton, MTI AA President Elect, registers new members into the MTI Alumni Association following their graduation ceremony on June 30, 2013

at the Manatee County Convention Center.

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Member NewsRow 1, left to right: Darla Thixton; MTI Foundation Chair John Ziemnicki; Evangela Ognibene; Chef Dana Johnson. Row 2, left to right: Charles Boyett; Stephanie Hernandez-Toro; Jennifer Drozd; Jaime Griffin; Jessie Hornick.

As their graduation day approached the first students to complete MTI’s Baking and Pastry class wanted to commemorate the occasion for posterity as well as give back to their alma mater. To accomplish this goal the class decided to raise money to purchase a plaque on the MTI Foundation’s Donor Board. Monies raised through the purchase of plaques support the programs, educational services, teachers and students of MTI.To raise these funds the students began baking cupcakes for sale at $1.00 each with the objective of accumulating $100, the minimum amount needed to be recognized on the Donor Board. By the end of their campaign the students had actually raised $1000 for MTI Foundation. The photograph, taken by Marina Proskurina, here commemorates the presentation of this generous check to MTI Foundation Chair, John Ziemnicki.

Founding MTI AA President, Mike Bryant, is honored as

President Emeritus.

Retiring Law Enforcement Academy Director and MTI AA Life Member, Mike

Rushing, is inducted into the Cantrell Society by Dr. Mary Cantrell.

Dawn Small, 2010 Practical Nursing graduate, received

Outstanding Alumna Award from MTI AA President Tim Hyden.

Hilda Bravo Torres, owner of Bravo Immigration Services,

received Outstanding Alumna Award from MTI AA President

Tim Hyden.

MTI AA Life Member Dana Johnson, Director of MTI Baking & Pastry Program, competes in

the talent portion of the recent Mr. Heart Throb student fundraiser.

MTI Director Dr. Mary Cantrell and MTI Assistant Director Sue Downs, both MTI AA Life Members, honor alumna

and former MTI AA Work/Study student Yadira Santamaria.

Become a Founding MemberActive: All persons having completed at least one MTI program as well as current MTI faculty and staff.___$10 per year (can increase)___$50 (covers five years no increase)___ $30 (covers three years with no increase; only available at special events) Associate: Persons not having enrolled in or completed programs at MTI such as past faculty and staff; parents of students and alumni and other friends of MTI as well as those persons having completed only a course at MTI.___$20 per year (can increase)

Life Membership: Life membership shall be granted to eligible members upon payment of the one-time designated life member fee. ___$100 (available at any time, but previously-paid dues are not cumulative.)

Founding Membership: Those eligible for Active, Associate or Life Membership, and who join the Associ-ation within the first fiscal year (2012 - 2013) and remain as Active, Associate or Life members, shall be deemed Founding Members.

Name:_________________________________________ Graduation Year_________Address______________________________________________________________Email:_____________________________________________ Phone:_____________MTI Program(s) Completed:______________________________________________

Current Employer:______________________________________________________Current Position:_______________________________________________________Address:______________________________________________________________Email:_____________________________________________Phone:_____________

Remember: The MTI Alumni Association is only as strong as its membership, so your participation is vital to its success. Please indicate below those activities where you’d like to become involved and/or suggest activities that you believe would benefit you and your fellow alumni.

__ First Responders Challenge __ Networking Events __ Mentoring __ Reunions

__ Career Enhancement Workshops & Seminars __ Image Enhancement Workshops

__ Membership Committee __ Communications Committee __ Website & FaceBook

__ My suggestion:_____________________________________________________________

Please complete and mail with your dues payment to MTI Alumni Association, 6305 State Rd. 70 E., Bradenton, FL 34203. Make checks payable to MTI Alumni Association. Or, log on to www.mtialumniassociation.org

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First Responders ChallengeWhen firefighters, police officers or EMTs arrive and take control you aren’t thinking about how they acquired their skills, stay strong and agile with minds completely focused. You just want their help.Now you can watch as public safety personnel showcase their prowess during the second annual First Responders Challenge on Saturday, November 16, 2013 when they will compete for prizes and bragging rights as the most skilled among their peers.This family-friendly event will be held at Manatee Technical Institute’s Lakewood Ranch Campus at 5530 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard beginning at 11 a.m. Admission is free and there will be food concessions along with demonstrations by various public safety agencies such as Bay Flite, canine and search and rescue dog units, and emergency extrication teams.The First Responders Challenge is being organized by the Manatee Technical Institute Alumni Association and proceeds will benefit the MTI Foundation which provides scholarships to MTI students for tuition, books and uniforms.Registration for the First Responders Challenge is now open and sponsorship opportunities are still available.Details can be found by visiting www.mtialumniassociation.org; by calling (941) 751-7900, ext. 1012; or by emailing MTIalum@manateeschools.net.

MTI AA president Tim Hyden presents the proceeds from the inaugural First Responders Challenge to MTI Foundation Chair John Zimenicki. These monies will augment the Foundation’s scholarship fund.

Founding Life MembersAlexis BainMary ChiltonSue DownsDana Johnson Doug WagnerRosemary Wiley

Founding Active MembersClaudia Cruz-AbregoSherri EakerMaria HamiltonTeresa HerbstTorry KauffmanJames LarsenSteve LitschauerAnita OrthKathy PeelCynthia Sparks

2013 Accounting GraduatesLaShanna BingLatikia CunnienCraig HollifieldDafhny Nunez

2013 Administrative Office SpecialistsLena HeathGregly Judith Talavera

2012 Automotive GraduatesRay Sean Belamy

2013 Baking & Pastry ArtsJennifer DrozdJaime GriffinJessica HornickEvangela OgnibeneDarla ThixtunStephanie Hernandez-Toro

2013 Barbering GraduatesDaniel BakerMarquis Capers Cory EstellaFrederick E. Sands

2012 Business Technology GraduatesAlan GouldLena HeathSandra PhjlocheAaron Smith

2013 Certified Nursing GraduatesSue Helms

2013 Carpentry GraduatesMatt Suddes

2013 Cosmetology GraduatesJeanette AlvarezElisa BartleyRachel BurnellMegan HildrethKareen LynahStefany SalinasElexsis SilvaLeah SwanKathryn TalcottTwanda VannNicole Weichman

2012 Culinary Arts GraduatesReginald Thomas GreenDanzel Hanna

2013 Digital Video GraduatesJean Edva ColonMike JonesCasey RiceTori Peterson

2013 Drafting Program GraduatesAwilda Epp

Welcome New Members!Newest Founding Members joining between August 2012 - October 2013

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2013 Culinary Arts GraduatesChristopher BeaverEric EscobedoDeyanira JimenezJoseph ManessCourtney Reek2012 Dental Assisting GraduatesSandra BennettFallon Miles

2013 Dental Assisting GraduatesTeresa AlmedinaCaitlin BabeckiColleen BaileyKrista DavidsonRhiannon EwingCassidy GilleyVanessa JaramilloKevin LucasLaTerria MannBianco MatosChelsea McGeeJordan MontgomeryErica RodriguezKayla SokolBrandy Soudijn

2013 Emergency Medical Technician GraduatesJames Cody ParksKristen Wilson

2013 Electronics Program GraduatesConstine D. Baskin IVMiguel JuarezDustin LynnYonier Pinon

2013 Fire Academy GraduatesBeau Smith-Kerr

2012 Fire Academy GraduatesRyan BellJosh BraccoScot CartrightKyle CochranAndres CollazosDevon DeweyEric GreuistonBeau Smith-KerrWilliam McCallumMichael SchweigartBrandon Thompson

2012 GED GraduatesRossie ClementsDesony HueAlohnia MagnusonLena OrtegaAngela RiveraJaneth SerranoLeah SpannSydney Sunette

2013 Legal Administrative SpecialistJoyce MeyerJoseph Miller

2013 LPN GraduatesSuzanne Gill

2013 Massage Therapy GraduatesIranda Livingston

2013 Medical Administration GraduatesTraci Lynn AdamsAlexsis BainYamaira GonzalezAdeliz GreenAmy GuelShayla McDanielKay Smith

2013 Medical Assisting GraduatesGloria C. FrancisStephanie HartmanDebra J. Morales

2013 Medical Coding & Billing GraduatesLeah JennisRachel SilvermanJennifer TroutSamuel R. Wooten

2013 Massage Therapy GraduatesBrittney Bouault

2012 Networking Services GraduatesStephanie FrenchJoseph Arthur ManariteJaime RoblesScott SteinerNeil Stewart

2013 Optometric AssistantJanet E. ParentCatherine Rees

2013 Orthopedic Technology Wendy DouglasSusan McElroyLisa Lene Whittington

2013 Precision Machining GraduatesGabe Mackinnon

2012 Web Design GraduatesReginald GreenCheri Oulean

2013 Welding TechnologyJames HartPatrick Nigro

2013 Patient Care Technician Graduates Angelica CadenaKatelyn CavanaughMarilu Chapa MojicaCiarra DanielsKelli GallicchioCarmen GutierrezFelicia HammondLaura JantesRenee KinardLillian LawrenceJessica McGuireAneshia MitchellKelly S. MunozEva QuinteroMonica RamosAlyssa SchottKathryn SoteloSamantha ThomasAmanda TrybaCheyenne WhitakerTana White

2013 Pharmacy Technician GraduatesJordon DeanJenny DeneusCarol FlannigaHector GarciaMark MorganBrenda OldsBen PattersonIleana SailesAndrea SandersMarilyn Talutis

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Welcome New Members!Newest Founding Members joining between August 2012 - October 2013

Website: www.mtialumniassociation.orgEmail: MTIalum@manateeschools.net

Phone: 941.751.7900 ext. 2012

Help spread the word!

Quarterly NewsletterVolume 1 Number 3

Alumni Association NewsReminisce on the past. Connect with the present. Strengthen the future. Get started today!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Tim Hyden is the Training and Safety Officer for East Manatee Fire Rescue. A 19-year veteran of the Florida Fire Service, he has an Associate Degree in Fire Science, an Advanced Certificate in Fire Science Administration and is a graduate of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association Emergency Services Leadership Institute. Mr. Hyden has several state certifications from the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training; is a contributing writer for state and national fire service publications; and speaks on leadership, motivation, risk management and fire service marketing. In 2012 he was presented with the 13th District Congressional Fire and Rescue/EMS Career Service Award by United States Congressman Vern Buchanan. He is a Founding Life Member of the MTI Alumni Association and serves on its Governance Committee as well as represents MTI AA on the MTI Foundation Board of Directors.

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Check Out MTI MattersMTI Matters is a series of programs focusing on alumni of Manatee Technical Institute and how their training at MTI has made a difference in their lives. This series is produced monthly as a joint initiative between METV and MTI Alumni Association. To view episodes check your local cable listings for METV or visit MTI AA website to see where some of your fellow graduates are today and how MTI matters to them, their families and the community.

MTI Graduates as Entrepreneurs: Discover how four alumni launched and are currently operating their own successful businesses. These entrepreneurs include Clayton Sutton, owner of Mechanical, Inc.; Claudia Cruz, owner and operator of Cruz Towing; Brenda Ayers, owner of Adventures-N-Hair salon; and Rick Allard, owner of southern Comfort-One Hour Air Conditioning.

MTI Graduates Employed by MTI: Follow the paths of MTI alumni Joel Hall, networking instructor; Teresa Herbst, health and safety officer; and Ronai Krugh, career counselor from MTI student to MTI employee.

First Responders Challenge: Catch the action and excitement during MTI AA’s inaugural First Responders Challenge where firefighters, law enforcement officers and EMS personnel showcased their prowess as they competed to become the most skilled among their peers.

Why MTI Matters to Manatee County: Panel discussion by School Board Chair Karen Carpenter, MTI Foundation and Board of Governors Chair John Ziemnicki, MTI AA President Mike Bryant, MTIAA and Foundation Board Member Earl Stockton, and Manatee county School District Recruitment and Retention Specialist Jormarie Mere-Beaman.

New Main Campus Under Construction.: The official sneak peak of progress on construction of the new Main campus with MTI alumnus Mike Bryant (project architect) and Steve Ausborn (project CAD designer).

Firefighter and EMT: Follow Manatee County Firefighter and Fire Rescue Team Member Steve Ryckman and his colleagues through a typical day on the job.

Jamie Gregorich & Dana Johnson: Get behind the scenes scuttlebutt on Chef Jamie’s experience as a contestant on Hell’s Kitchen and the lowdown on Chef Dana’s newly-created Baking and Pastry Culinary program.

SkillsUSA: Catch the excitement as students from technical schools across Florida compete for the state SkillsUSA championship.

Welding Women: Learn how Brenda Cook and Heide Parsons have turned their MTI-acquired welding skills into an artistic commercial enterprise.

The Torres Family: Meet Mother Hilda; Father Ramon, Sr; Daughter Elizabeth and Son Ramon, Jr. all MTI graduates.

Kevin McGrath: Take off into the wild blue yonder with this technical sergeant as he accompanies and maintains his military aircraft around the world.