BOCA RATON– Both “Sesame Street,” the iconic children’s television series, and the Career Academy Model, have two important things in common. They both debuted 42 years ago,Sesame Streetin New York Cityand the Career Academy Model inPhiladelphia,Pa., and they both adhere to the motto, “Cooperation Makes It Happen!”
President Angie Grasberger of the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC), the prestigious reviewing body for academy programs, has announced that West Boca Raton Community High School has earned an unprecedented 4th National Model through an intensive evaluation of the Academy of Information Technology.
In 2007, West Boca High was awarded its first model, theAcademyofCulinary Arts; in 2009, the school earned its second model, the Academy of Medical Sciences; and in 2010, it achieved its third model, the Academy of Draft in grand Design.
Principal Mark L. Stenner said cooperation is the key word. “The dynamic relationships between students, faculty, staff, business partners, and higher education officials are the secret to academy success. A special thank you to Academy Coordinator Susan Bantang who was responsible for coordinating all four of the academy reviews.”
The following members of the Information Technology Academy Team worked together to earn the National Model status: School Board President Frank Barbieri, Director of Choice & Career Options Barbara Terembes, Assistant Principals Jack Clutter, Lynne Weissing, Arturo Bicknell, Luke Owens and Lyle Agnew.
Information Technology Chairperson Robert Bantang and IT Instructors Breyn Fish, Mark Graulich, Adam Romer and Debbie Corona prepared interdisciplinary lessons with their cohort, Social Studies instructors Charles Tolliver and Joseph Delise, and English instructors Dayami Escobar, Allison Jaffe, Pam McDonnough and Krista Hierholzer.
The Academy of Culinary Arts and the Academy of Draft in gand Design met the Information Technology Academy’s hospitality and printing needs.
The school’s support staff led by Guidance Coordinator John Cunningham, ESE Coordinator Debbie Ganguzza and Office Manager Rita Barbieri provided professional assistance.
IT Academy students Justin Block, Derek Davis, Alex Kalter, John O’Connor, Alec Solaski, Lauren Guili, Courtney King, Gabriel Franco, and Alana O’Brien did an excellent job representing their Academy during the review process.
The school’s Community Academy Advisory Board (CAAB) is comprised of members of both the business and higher education community. Senior Vice President of U.S. Trust and CAAB Chairman J.C. Perrin, FAU Athletics Representative and Vice Chairman Brenda Coto, Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce President Troy McLellan, 3CInterative CEO John Duffy, Aplicor CEO Scott Creighton, Citibank Vice President Katherine Van Brocklin, Johnson & Wales University Director of Community Relations Barbara Weiss, and IT Alumnus Andrew Perrin provided NCAC with testimonials to support the group’s involvement in securing work-based learning experiences for the IT Academy students.