Graphic Arts students place at 2014 MITES state competition

Students from the Clare-Gladwin Career Center’s Graphic Arts program recently submitted projects showcasing their skills developed in the classroom to the 2014 Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society (MITES) State Convention and Student Competition held at Saginaw Valley State University’s Ryder Center last month. In order to qualify for the state competition, projects needed to place fourth or better at the previously held MITES Regional Student Competition. Of the 24 projects entered into the regional competition by Clare-Gladwin students, 12 advanced to the state event.

With a mission to encourage and recognize fine craftsmanship in the field of industrial technology and career technical education, the annual MITES student competition allows kids of all grade levels to compete against hundreds of  their peers in a variety of divisions, including graphic arts, mechanical drawing, machine shop, plastics, and more.

The local high school juniors and seniors from the Clare-Gladwin Career Center who participated in the 2014 MITES State Student Competition with at least one project included Toni Boyd, Laurissa Brushaber, Shyla Cassidy, Kaitlyn Corell, Allyssa Haag, Chasity Haight, Malinda Hershberger, Mercedez Hisey, Katie Loesel, Calie Nixon, Cassie Reid, Jacob Schlaack, and Tristan Shimmons.

Nine of the 12 student projects featured at the state competition placed in their categories. Loesel placed sixth, Shimmons was awarded seventh, Boyd and Haag earned eighth place standings, and Brushaber, Corell, Hershberger, and Schlaack each finished in ninth. Additionally, a group project submitted by Loesel, Nixon, and Hisey finished fourth.

“MITES gave me an opportunity to compete against graphic design students from all over the state,” said Harrison High School student Allyssa Haag.

Andrea Boettner, Clare-Gladwin Career Center Graphic Arts instructor, said she was very pleased with the students’ placements at the competition. “To have so many students participate and place at regionals and states is a great accomplishment, especially with this year being just the second time we’ve taken part in the MITES competition."

The MITES convention not only provides students with the chance to better their abilities through competition, but it also affords high school graphic arts students and instructors funding opportunities to better their programs and their futures. Boettner was awarded a $500 grant to invest in screen printing equipment for the high school students in her Clare-Gladwin Career Center program. Student Jacob Schlaack also earned a scholarship valued at $500 as a result of his short essay that illustrated his plan to become a graphic arts instructor. Schlaak intends to receive his associate’s degree at Mid Michigan Community College in graphic design and then transfer to Central Michigan University where he will graduate with a teaching degree in fine arts.