CTE News
Building Futures: Saguaro Students Explore Construction Management Careers
Approximately 30 Saguaro High School students and staff recently gathered in the Community Room on Monday, December 8th, for an exciting Lunch and Learn event focused on career opportunities in Construction Management.
This professional, high-energy session offered students an engaging look at an industry that spans far beyond traditional trades and Project Management. We were thrilled to host industry guests Dominic Berg (Saguaro Alumni and Chase Building Team employee) and Andy Fillion (McCarthy Builders), who shared their unique perspectives on building a successful career in construction.
Great news for future builders! Students will have the opportunity to register for a fantastic two-year program, complete with an internship option, beginning in August 2026.
Missed the first session? It's not too late to get in on the action! Students will have another chance to learn more at the second Lunch and Learn event on January 16th in the Saguaro High School Community Room.
Igniting Ambition in Scottsdale: High School Students Meet Rising Professionals at the U of A Center (Fueled by Chick-fil-A!)
The "SRYP: Leaders in the Making" event, hosted by The University of Arizona Scottsdale Center for the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce , was a career networking and mentorship program for students from SUSD. Held on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, the event's primary goal was to connect students with young professionals to offer a real look at different careers. The morning began with a welcome and introductions from Stephanie Viboch, followed by Steven Kupcho presenting the SRYP Mission: "To educate, elevate, and collaborate with young professionals by providing a network where individuals can come together to support their career aspirations and the community. The goal of Scottsdale Rising Young Professionals (SRYP) is to build a link between this demographic and the business and community leaders of Scottsdale." This was followed by short speeches from Eric Luoma who serves on the Chamber's Board of Directors, SUSD Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel, and Host Executive Director Sarah Fleury of the University of Arizona.
Following the opening remarks, the event shifted into a series of structured networking sessions. Students were divided into groups, rotating through tables hosted by young professionals representing various career fields. Lunch was sponsored and introduced by Chris Gammel of Chick-fil-A’s Raintree location. A fifth and final 20-minute rotation took place after lunch. The day concluded with a final gathering and closing remarks.
Chaparral and Desert Mountain High Schools Take the Stage at DECA District 1 Competition
The DECA District Competitions were officially unlocked, and our future leaders absolutely crushed it! This is the first high-stakes opportunity for students to test their mettle against Arizona's best in Marketing, Finance, Hospitality, and Management.
SUSD high schools proudly sent over 150 powerhouse students, who secured an incredible haul of 50+ medals for first through third place! They represented themselves, their schools, and SUSD with professionalism, pride, and a whole lot of fun. They didn't just compete; they networked with like-minded peers and industry professionals, gaining invaluable, real-world experience.
Next stop? The State Conference this spring at the Arizona Grand Hotel and Spa! Students will be battling for a coveted spot at the ultimate showdown: the International Conference in Atlanta, Georgia this April. Get ready for some serious business action!
Future Ready Conference Empowers Chaparral Students to Step into Their Futures
Chaparral High School proudly hosted the 2025 Future Ready Conference on November 10th, a flagship event presented by the Scottsdale Unified School District Career & Technical Education (CTE) department in partnership with Scottsdale Rotary. The full-day, hands-on experience brought together more than 480 CTE students, all eager to explore in-demand careers, develop professional skills, and connect with industry leaders.
Throughout the conference, students participated in expert-led workshops that highlighted essential academic and workplace pathways, including:
- Professional Skills: Networking, personal branding, dress for success, and tie-tying instruction
- Hospitality: Hospitality management, culinary arts, and event planning
- Finance: Financial advising, paychecks, budgeting, taxes, and accounting
- Business: Entrepreneurship, opportunity identification, and real estate
- Engineering: Aerospace, electrical, mechanical, civil, biomedical, and architectural design
- Criminal Justice: Law, public safety, psychology, and related fields
A signature element of this year’s event was the involvement of more than 35 Scottsdale Rotary members, who volunteered as mentors, session leaders, and career experts. Their participation provided students with meaningful exposure to real-world professions and reinforced Chaparral’s commitment to building strong community partnerships.
Scottsdale Mayor Proclaims November DECA Month!
What is DECA?
DECA is a career and technical student organization (CTSO) that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. By integrating classroom instruction, applying learning, connecting to business, and promoting competition, DECA's programs teach essential life and career skills, preparing students for college and professional success.
- Goals: To develop leadership skills, foster community engagement, and promote career success through hands-on business simulations and competitive events.
- Membership: DECA serves over 230,000 high school and college members across all 50 U.S. states, Canada, China, Germany, and other countries.
AZ DECA's Local Impact
Arizona DECA (AZ DECA) is the official state-level association, serving thousands of high school students across Arizona. AZ DECA works to empower its members to be academically prepared, community-oriented, professionally responsible, and experienced leaders.
- State-Level Events: AZ DECA hosts various events, including the Fall Leadership Conference and the State Career Development Conference (SCDC), where students showcase their business knowledge and skills.
The proclamation was presented to outstanding DECA students from Chaparral High School at the City Council meeting on Monday, November 17, 2025. This action highlights the city's support for the development of young entrepreneurs and emerging leaders through business education, innovation, and community impact programs. SUSD has large and thriving DECA chapters at Chaparral HS, under the leadership of Mason Renfer, and Desert Mountain HS, under the leadership of Richard Norris.
CTE Culinary Arts Setting the Table for Success
CCAP Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP) is a workforce development nonprofit that empowers high school students & adults to become the next generation of leaders in food and hospitality. SUSD Culinary Arts students took part in the Harvest Moon Feast on Friday, November 7, 2025, at The Phoenician's historic Jokake Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona. This year's event honored Chef Mark Tarbell, a longtime board member and supporter of C•CAP and mentor to countless students and alumni.
The Harvest Moon Feast brought together the best of Arizona's food and hospitality community for an impactful evening of culinary excellence. Guests enjoyed walk-around tasting of 30+ original dishes created by C•CAP Arizona high school students under the guidance of leading local chefs. Under leadership of Chaparral instructor Chef Jack Trier, students worked with Chef Kunal Sharma, Camelback Marriott to prepare a stunning and delectable Paella dish.
Proceeds from the Harvest Moon Feast directly benefit C•CAP Arizona's 8,000 students across the state's high schools, providing them with career readiness training, scholarships, job opportunities, and mentorship to help them thrive in the food and hospitality industry.
Chaparral’s Future Is Fab: Engineers Dive into Manufacturing
Chaparral High School’s CTE Engineering students traded computer screens for the manufacturing floor during Arizona State University’s annual Manufacturing Month Celebration on Oct. 24. Led by teacher Steve Geislinger, students spent the day turning classroom concepts into hands-on experience through interactive exhibits, demonstrations and networking opportunities.
The event was hosted at ASU’s West Valley campus and brought together industry leaders from companies such as Honeywell, Amkor Technology and FANUC, along with partners from the Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Arizona Department of Education/CTE. Students rotated through booths, tested new technologies and discovered how engineering principles apply to real-world careers.
Students were challenged to explore multiple career pathways through a “career passport” activity, highlighting the creativity, precision and problem-solving that drive modern manufacturing. For Chaparral’s future engineers, the experience offered more than a field trip, it provided an inside look at the industries shaping tomorrow’s world.
Coronado SkillsUSA Takes Center Stage
Coronado High School’s CTE Digital Communication and Stagecraft students opened the year in the spotlight. On Oct. 2, the creative teams traded campus for the Phoenix Convention Center to attend the Arizona SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference, and they made their presence known.
Under the guidance of teacher Chelsea Brasen, students networked with peers from across the state and immersed themselves in workshops focused on leadership, collaboration, and competition readiness. The event offered a deep dive into the SkillsUSA organization, which promotes excellence and workforce readiness in technical education.
From perfecting digital communication techniques to mastering the art of stage presence, Coronado’s CTE students returned inspired, informed and ready to turn their skills into championship success.
Saguaro High’s Graphic Design Lab: Where Concepts Become Reality
Forget chalkboards, the Graphic Design Lab at Saguaro High School looks more like a professional design firm than a classroom. Under the direction of teacher Matt Bohnert, the lab has been reimagined for the 2025–26 school year as a full-fledged School-Based Enterprise where creativity meets entrepreneurship.
Students in Saguaro’s Career and Technical Education program now run a functioning design business, producing professional-quality work for real clients. Equipped with industry-level tools, including a large-format printer and a direct-to-object printer, students are turning digital ideas into tangible products.
The hands-on experience extends far beyond design. Students collaborate with internal and external clients, manage projects from concept to delivery, and gain practical insight into running a business. The program bridges the gap between classroom learning and professional application, giving students a head start in both college and career readiness.
For more information, contact MBohnert@susd.org.
From Canvas to Capital: Chaparral Students Pitch Big Ideas
Chaparral High School’s new AP Business pilot class took innovation to the next level this fall, wrapping up its entrepreneurial unit with a high-stakes pitch competition. On Oct. 9 and 10, students who had spent the quarter developing original products, services or apps presented their business proposals to a panel of staff and administrators in a simulation modeled after a real-world investor pitch.
Teacher Mason Renfer emphasized that this wasn’t a TV-style gimmick, it was about strategy, analysis and persuasion. Students developed comprehensive business portfolios that included a full business canvas, value proposition, supply chain map and marketing plan.
Panels of faculty and administrators acted as investors, asking tough questions and offering professional feedback. The experience gave students a taste of entrepreneurship, transforming classroom theory into business acumen.
See what’s cooking at Chaparral High School
The Scottsdale Unified School District Culinary Arts CTE program gives students hands-on experience and career-ready skills they can utilize during high school and beyond to succeed in the food service industry!
Students in the program:
- Earn the ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification
- Get Dual Enrollment credit
- Complete the full course sequence in just one year
Enjoy full labs and simulations in a block class format This Signature Program is open to all SUSD students in grades 9-12, and transportation is provided! 👉 Learn more at SUSD.org/CTE!
CTE | Future Ready: Scottsdale Students Connect with Colleges and Careers
The 4th Annual SUSD College and Career Fair, a collaboration between the Scottsdale Unified School District and the City of Scottsdale, brought together over 1,000 students and community members on Thursday. The event took place at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library and featured approximately 115 exhibitors, including top universities like ASU, U of A, NAU, Ohio State University, San Diego State University, and New York University, as well as prominent local and national organizations.
Attendees explored a wide range of academic and professional pathways. Students learned about career opportunities directly from the Scottsdale Police Department and various U.S. Military branches. They also discovered opportunities at Pima Medical College and gained valuable insights from experts with the Scottsdale Rotary. Students left with a wealth of information, exciting swag, and a clear sense of optimism about their future.
CTE | Sizzling Partnership: Chaparral High Culinary Students Cook Up a Recipe for Success
Chaparral High School's Culinary Arts program, led by Chef Jack Trier, is teaming up with the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), a national nonprofit that offers career opportunities, scholarships, and job training for high school students. This partnership is already making waves, students are working with Chef Kunal Sharma of the JW Marriott Camelback Inn to prepare for the upcoming Harvest Moon Benefit, an annual gala supporting C-CAP. The event will be held Friday, November 7th at The Phoenician in Scottsdale.
Beyond this hands-on experience, the collaboration provides students with valuable scholarship opportunities and industry recognition. The partnership also gives Chaparral students a leg up in the job market with priority hiring at various resorts and restaurants throughout the Valley, creating a direct pipeline from the classroom to a professional kitchen.
CTE Spotlight: Gummy Bear Dissection? It’s More Than Just Sweet!
On September 3, Nursing students engaged in a hands-on project that was both fun and foundational: dissecting gummy bears using real medical tools. But this wasn’t just about candy, it was a creative and engaging way to introduce students to anatomical terminology and body planes.
Using gummy bears as 3D models, students practiced identifying correct anatomical positions and performed return demonstrations by cutting along the sagittal, transverse, and frontal planes, just like they would with real human anatomy. This early exposure to clinical tools and medical concepts helps students build confidence and precision from day one.
SUSD is proud to be partnering with both Honor Health and Banner Health this year, along with our local long term care facilities to provide clinical experience for students in the Saguaro HS program. At the completion of the program, students will have the opportunity to earn the Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Nursing Assistant credential from the Arizona Board of Nursing.
CTE - September 2025
College and Career Fair
Scottsdale Public Library and Scottsdale Career Services, in partnership with Scottsdale Unified School District, are hosting a College & Career Fair! This event is a fantastic opportunity for students in grades 5-12 and their families to meet college recruiters, discover trade programs, and explore various career pathways all in one convenient location. Whether you're planning for college, interested in a trade, or simply exploring your options, there's something for everyone.
Join us on Saturday, September 20th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, located at 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Don't miss out on-door prizes, giveaways, informational presentations, and interactive exhibits!
CTE Finance Program at Arcadia HS Named #1 in Arizona
The CTE Finance program at Arcadia High School and its teacher, Tom Otstot, have been recognized as the top-performing finance program in Arizona for 2025 based on the Technical Skills Assessment results. A remarkable 37 students scored 86% or higher, with three achieving a perfect 100%, contributing to a 100% pass rate for the school. This impressive achievement helped the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) secure the top-performing district title, with three of its schools ranking in the top four statewide for the finance program; Desert Mountain had the second-highest average score, and Chaparral placed fourth. In addition to a state-endorsed certificate and a transcript documenting their skills, CTE finance students also earn an Industry Recognized Credential in Customer Service and have the opportunity to earn six dual-enrollment credits through Scottsdale Community College. The program provides a solid foundation in personal finance while preparing students for rewarding careers in banking, insurance, real estate, and asset management.
Chaparral High School Teacher Tarnisha Tilson Named 2025-2026 ACTE Fellow
Tarnisha Tilson, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Criminal Justice Teacher at Chaparral High School, has been honored with a prestigious selection as a 2025-2026 Career and Technical Education AZ Fellowby the National Association for Career and Technical Education, the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. This distinguished recognition celebrates her significant impact on the field of CTE in Arizona. Her dedicated work and unique perspective are poised to enhance the program and help shape the future of vocational education across the state.
The ACTE AZ Fellows Program is a long-standing, transformative leadership journey designed for educators, administrators, counselors, and industry partners. As a fellow, Tilson will embark on an immersive experience aimed at strengthening her leadership and advocacy skills. She will participate in statewide initiatives and events, grow as a collaborative change agent, and make lasting contributions to the broader CTE community.
This honor is a testament to Tilson's commitment to student success and her role as a leader in her field. Her participation will not only elevate her professional growth but also bring valuable insights back to Chaparral High School and the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD).
Congratulations to Tarnisha Tilson for this outstanding achievement and for representing Chaparral High School, SUSD, and the entire state of Arizona.
((Insert photo of Tarnisha Tilson for outstanding achievement)))