February 2011 - Kettering City School District

Kettering City School District — Fairmont High School February 2011
IT Students Advance to Semi-Finals in
Cyber Competition
Did you know that the top national security concern in the US is cyber security? No, that is not an alien being from
some far off planet. Cyber security refers to keeping the national technology grid secure so that the US is able to ward off
any attack that would threaten the smooth operation of military, transportation, power, and other areas. The challenge is
to find enough people who have the knowledge to disable any attack. Fairmont Information Technology students, Corey
Baker, Cole Chapman, Doug Shindeldecker, Kevin Habib & Harrison Ludwig, took up the challenge by participating in
the National High School Cyber Defense Competition created by the Air Force Association in cooperation with Northrop Grumman.
The competition included online training and qualification rounds for the students. In the qualification rounds, the Fairmont
IT team had to find vulnerabilities in a virtual machine image and secure the image within a certain amount of time.
Cole Chapman said, “Cyber patriot was a good learning and team building experience. We learned a new approach to
tackling security vulnerabilities in common operating systems.” Corey Baker said, “Cyber Patriot offered unparalleled
experience in software security.”
Students applied many skills that they learned in the IT program
about network security in the Cyber Patriot competition.
Students set up and configured a network in a virtual environment.
They learned to become aware of what was going on in
their network, including anticipating hackers and understanding
what to do once their firewall was compromised. Harrison
Ludwig said, “We learned more about network security and
gained experience in the field in a hands-on setting. I’m glad I
participated in this competition.”
The Information Technology students competed with 180
teams from all over the US and won the right to compete in the
semi finals with 50 other elite teams. It was a great experience
for students. Both Kevin Habib and Doug
Shindeldecker enjoyed working with the team and experiencing
the camaraderie of solving a common goal.
Fairmont’s Cyber Patriot Team
Students Still Have Time To Sign Up For Career Tech Programs
Students have been signing up for Career Tech Programs since December. These programs offer technical knowledge
in many STEM areas and other career pathways. Career Tech STEM programs include PLTW Engineering, PLTW
Aerospace Engineering, Allied Health, Biotechnology, and Information Technology. Digital Design and Interactive
Media are programs in the Arts and Communication pathway. Business paths can be pursued in Marketing and Accounting.
Trades programs include Construction Trades and Automotives. The Education pathway can be pursued in
the Early Childhood Education program.
All of the programs offer great opportunities for students including college credit in high school, scholarships and
technical education. Students learn 21 st Century Skills in problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, communication
and teamwork. Spaces are limited in these programs so sign up as soon as possible. Career Tech programs can be a great
addition to an academic schedule and a great way for a student to explore a potential career path. If a student is unsure
about their career direction, career classes will either cement their decision or encourage them to choose an alternative
course. Either way the student is the winner. Applications can be found outside the Career Tech office or on the Fairmont
High School website.

Construction Trades Students Give Back
What happens to families who have applied to Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition but have not been selected? Sometimes
the community pitches in and helps. This is what has
happened in Kettering to the Atkins family. The community has
come together to help rehab a house for them and the Construction
Trades program at Fairmont is a part of the effort.
Under the guidance of the Construction Trades teacher, Lou
Laquaglia, Fairmont Construction students are building an addition
on to the back of the Atkin’s house and are helping to
remodel the interior. This is a great project for the students.
Not only are they learning the competencies required for Construction
Trades but they are helping the community at the
same time. Students love the real world aspect of home remodeling.
They have experienced the pluses and minuses of building
and have learned to problem solve when things go wrong.
If you want to know more about this project and the family
go to http://www.thankfulhome.tv/atkinsfamily/.
Students Plan Marketing Research
Students applying their skills.
Senior Marketing Technology students recently presented their Creative Marketing Research Plans as part of their semester
exam. Students conducted a research study in the marketing field, which when used should measurably improve
the activities of an individual company, group of companies, an organization, club or business community. Skills assessed
were communication skills, analytical skills, critical thinking/problem-solving skills, production skills, teamwork,
the ability to evaluate group presentation and priorities/time management. Some of the topics researched were introducing
a Plastic Bottle Recycling Program at Kettering Fairmont High School, Kroger Fresh Fare Vending Machine in Employee
Lounge, Increasing Cook Speed Time at Bob Evans, Teen Night Proposal for Skateworld, Box Tops for Education
Program at Kettering Fairmont High School, and Access to Youtube at Kettering Fairmont High School and updating
the Cell Phone/Texting Policy at Oakwood High School.
Senior Marketing Student Elected DECA State Officer
Madeline Lehrner, senior Marketing Technology student, was elected Ohio
DECA Southwest Region Vice President in November at the Ohio DECA Fall
Delegates Conference. Madeline is one of ten newly elected state officers and
will oversee forty-five chapters in the Southwest region. DECA is a nationally
recognized career tech student organization in which students compete, travel,
gain leadership skills and network with business executives.
Madeline went through a rigorous screening to become an officer candidate.
She traveled to Columbus in early October to take a test over DECA facts and
interviewed with a panel of State Department of Education officials. Three candidates
were selected to campaign for office. Madeline competed by creating campaign
materials and giving a speech to the delegates. A caucus was held in which
a majority was quickly reached that Madeline was the new Southwest Region
VP. As the vice-president, Madeline is expected to be a role model for all Ohio
DECA members. She will represent the Southwest Region at all DECA Executive
Council meetings and all state officer meetings. State officers are also expected
to run the state Career Development Conference. In addition, Madeline is
expected to correspond with the region regularly and attend district meetings and
conferences. Madeline is looking forward to the challenge of being a state officer
and feels that this will be a great leadership experience and resume builder.
Madeline Lehrner-SW Region VP