Capital Area Technical Center has announced its April professionals of the month.

Vanessa Richards Submitted photo

Vanessa Richards is a senior from Winthrop. She attends Winthrop High School and is enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program. She feels she has learned a lot in the program and has enjoyed working with the preschoolers in the preschool program run through the class, My First School, according to a news release from the center.

She is most proud of being selected the first employee of the week while working in the preschool.

Her instructor, Erin Sirois, said “Vanessa is a reliable and dedicated student who demonstrates professionalism in both the classroom and lab settings.”

She plans to attend the accelerated Early Childhood Education program at Thomas College to finish her bachelor’s degree in three years and then become a pre-school teacher.

Tyson Tibbetts Submitted photo

Tyson Tibbetts is a senior from Augusta. He attends Cony High School and is enrolled in three of the center’s  programs: Job for Maine Graduates (JMG), Electrical Technology and Computer Technology.

He has enjoyed the hands-on work he has been able to do in his classes and feels that this has made the information he has learned so much easier to retain. He feels his greatest accomplishment was winning the bronze medal in the state’s SkillsUSA Electrical Construction Wiring Knowledge competition.

Tibbetts credits his participation in the JMG program for giving him an edge in entering the workforce. He credits the program with helping him have a professional resume and portfolio that got him hired with an electrical commercial contractor this summer.

His JMG instructor, Joel Blackwell, states that “Tyson has faced some obstacles this year, but has persevered. He is passionate about his learning and gives 100% in all he does.”

He is deciding between pursuing education in cybersecurity or electrical engineering.

Shaine Staples Submitted photo

The center’s Alumni Spotlight shines on Shaine Staples, a 2019 graduate of Erskine Academy in South China who completed two years in the Building Construction program. Staples is employed by Jacobs Glass in Winslow as an assistant project manager and laborer.

He said, “CATC gave me the opportunity to learn specific training and the skill sets to exceed in the construction field.”

Jacobs Glass owner Jeremy Whitehouse said, “Shaine continually impresses me with his ability to quickly grasp concepts and task that we throw at him; while giving him minimal direction and instruction. His attitude and willingness to help others is all anyone could ask for in a coworker.”