Cosmetology students are learning about hairstyles and perms, but on Wednesday, November 15th, one student got a chance to learn the lesson of giving back.

Dayna Kreilach, a senior cosmetology student from Avon Lake, had the privilege of cutting JVS Math Instructor Sarah Avers’ hair for a donation to Wigs for Kids. Kreilach cut off 12 inches from Avers hair for the donation, and when the scissors were cutting, you could have heard a pin drop in the JVS salon.

This is the second time Avers has donated her hair to this organization. “I like the fact that the Wigs for Kids organization does not charge the family of the children for the wigs, that is important to me,” shared Avers. “I also like that they are located in Westlake, so they are local to us here.”

Kreilach said today was meaningful for her because she has actually had a family member with childhood cancer. “I had a cousin who had cancer and actually got a wig from Wigs for Kids. I’ve also donated to the organization in the past myself. It was a real honor to cut Mrs. Avers hair today.”

Students from the Lorain County JVS Landscape and Greenhouse Management Program are hosting their annual holiday wreath and poinsettia sale at the JVS Greenhouse beginning Monday, November 27.

Poinsettias range from $3.50 to $10.50 depending on size. Paint or glitter can be added for only $1 extra. Wreaths are $11.00 each.

The greenhouse will be open for sales 8:00am to 11:00am and noon to 1:30pm Monday through Friday, through December 13^th, or until they sell out.

The JVS is located at 15181 St. Rt. 58 in Oberlin. For more information contact Beth Berthold by phone at 440/774-1051, ext 22377, or by email at bberthold@lcjvs.net.

For the ninth consecutive year, the junior Masonry Trades class is taking part in the ‘Holiday Lights’ event at the Lorain County Metro Parks Carlisle Visitor Center. David Rudisill, Masonry Trades Instructor, enjoys being a part of this event each year. “This is a fun project for my students to work on. It gives them real world experience with things they have been learning in lab; like how to use the wet saw and take measurements, and it is also something they can be proud of,” stated Rudisill. “The students bring their families out to the event, share their work with them and even take pictures. It is a nice tradition for my class.”

The theme for the event is classic holiday movies. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” has been the movie selection for the JVS for the past few years. This year, the students created and painted a chimney, complete with the Grinch peeking out, a Christmas tree and gift boxes. Cindy Lou Who, Max, the reindeer-dog, and a sleigh are a part of the display as well. These items were created from past classes and are being used again this year.

Masonry Trades juniors Tucker McKinley from Avon Lake and James Osborne from Firelands shared their favorite parts of this project. “I learned a lot when we were cutting the bricks to the precise measurements. I was able to take lessons from my math course and apply them to this project,” shared McKinley. Osborne is looking forward to sharing his work with his family, when they attend the event together.

You won’t want to miss these spectacular pieces designed, built and painted by JVS students! The ‘Holiday Lights’ at the Carlisle Visitor Center takes place now through December 30.

In Lorain County, 73 people died on the roadways between 2014 and 2016; with alcohol being the most common contributing factor. To date, 29 crashes (31 deaths) occurred in 2017 on Lorain County roadways and 43% of those crashes involved alcohol.

The JVS has teamed up with the Lorain County Safe Community Coalition and other local agencies to help spread the word about the dangers of driving impaired, and the importance of safe driving, especially now during the holiday season. Drunk driving deaths occur all year round, but the holiday season is a particularly dangerous time due to a higher number of impaired drivers on the roadways.

JVS students from the 9^th and 10^th grade Career Readiness and Exploration programs and the Landscape and Greenhouse Management program, worked together to create an 8 foot wooden Christmas Tree, decorated with evergreen swags and red ribbons, symbolizing those who lost their lives this year on the roads of Lorain County due to alcohol related car crashes.

Jill Petitti,  JVS High School Principal and Safe Community Coalition member, shared how this tree is helping to start the conversation with her students. “The tree came out of an idea of wanting to have our kids involved in creating something that would commemorate those whose lives were lost on Lorain County roads and to also increase community awareness of the problem. Throughout this project we had discussions with our students about what the tree represents and why driving safely and wearing your seatbelt is critical. I think the tree is beautiful, but more importantly, it started the conversations with our students that maybe we wouldn’t have otherwise had.”

Marketing and Management juniors are documenting the work being done on this memorial tree as part of a Business Professionals of America project called Broadcast News Production Team. The students are creating a mock newscast complete with video coverage and interviews. It is another way the JVS is spreading the word about the importance of safe driving.

JVS students and staff will unveil a replica of the structure during the Zero-Proof Mix-Off event on Thursday, December 7, at the Spitzer Conference Center at Lorain County Community College. The Zero-Proof Mix-Off, sponsored by the Lorain County Safe Community Coalition, focuses on holiday celebrations and safe driving choices by reminding friends and family to serve zero-proof options at parties and events, and to always make plans for a sober ride home.

The finished Christmas tree structure is on display on the front lawn of the Lorain County JVS at the corner of State Routes 20 and 58 in Oberlin. The Ohio State Highway Patrol donated a safe driving banner, to also serve as a reminder for all drivers to drive safely and to always drive sober.

Junior and senior students in the Lorain County JVS Masonry Trades program participated in the Ohio-Kentucky Administrative District Council of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers 9^th Annual Holiday Masonry Skills Competition on Thursday, December 7^th.

The competition was held at the newly built Northern Ohio Regional Training Center in Amherst, Ohio. Twenty five competitors, 14 juniors and 11 seniors from seven school districts competed.

Each student was given a blueprint that showed a brick and block project that had to be built in three hours. Bricklayers and advisory members were on hand to judge the projects based on correct design, level, plumb, square, tooling neatness and workmanship.

Ken Kudela, Director of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers and 1980 graduate of the Lorain County JVS Masonry Trades program, shared how he got the idea to start this competition nine years ago. “When I was learning at JVS and started competing, the first competition we went to was the state competition to qualify for nationals. I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect. So when I got this current position and started running the training center, I thought why don’t we start a competition locally to help the kids get some experience in competing before they have to go to that next level.”

JVS masonry trades juniors Jaren O’Conner (Elyria) and William Hawksley (Brookside) both shared how their Masonry Trades Instructor, David Rudisill got them prepared for the competition. “The work we do in our lab and all the time we had to practice really prepared me for today’s competition,” shared O’Conner.

Tyler Wilfong, masonry trades senior (Wellington) said working alongside students from other school districts was the most enjoyable part of the event. “It was a fun experience and I felt confident because of all the work we do in lab. It was also nice to see how I compared to other people that are my same age, throughout all of Ohio.”

Senior Victor Goncalves (Clearview) also competed at the competition. JVS masonry trades students weren’t only competing at the event, six seniors were on-hand to serve as laborers. They helped mix and replenish mortar for each competitor.

Kudela hopes that having students tour the training center and take part in competitions like this one, will show the students what their organization has to offer. Wilfong noticed that today and shared he would like to be a part of the union one day. “After I graduate, I hope to continue my masonry path with the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 5 Union.”

With holiday music playing and the scent of cookies filling the air, juniors in the Lorain County JVS Bakery and Pastry Arts program prepared cookie trays for their annual holiday cookie fundraiser, on Monday, December 18^th.

This year’s junior class baked over 33,000 cookies; including Sicilian white cookies, mint shortbread, chocolate crinkles, jam thumbprints, and peanut butter kisses, just to name a few. Bakery and Pastry Arts instructor, Chef Chris Moore, said the actual production and baking of the cookies is the most difficult part of this operation. “If something goes wrong with the baking part, then nothing will go right after that. The assembly of the cookie trays themselves is the fun part. Getting to see them all come together and when we finally put the lids on the trays, it feels good. It is a great day!”

Every cookie is carefully laid onto each tray, which according to Moore is broken down into a clock, so cookies are placed in the same order, allowing all the trays to look the same. Large trays contain nine to ten dozen cookies while small trays hold five to six dozen.

Junior Bakery and Pastry Arts students Casandra McDowell (Columbia) and Julie Hawkey (Elyria) shared their favorite parts of the experience. “We have worked so hard on this and today we finally get to finish it up, and to see happy people get their cookie trays,” shared McDowell. Hawkey added, “I had so much fun making the jam thumbprint cookies because as soon as they got out of the oven, we had to put our thumbs in them and spread in the jam.”

The junior class, along with 10^th grade students who are shadowing the program for this quarter, have been baking the cookies since the first of December. The cookie trays are pre-sold with the sale beginning at the first of November. Due to the popularity of this annual sale, Moore doesn’t need to advertise. Customers email Moore directly and he sells out within two weeks’ time.

Moore stated the funds generated help cover the cost of supplies, but the majority of the money is put into the program’s activity account that follows the students into their senior year. The funds are then used toward their chef’s jackets and annual awards banquet, among other items and expenses.

“The fundraiser benefits the students and is a great example of what their future careers may hold. If you’re working in a bakery at this time of year, this is what it would be like,” Moore said.

The JVS Adult Career Center is the perfect place to launch or even continue a career in cosmetology. Ask Marge Daidone, Instructor and Coordinator of the Cosmetology and Esthetics programs at the Adult Career Center.

Daidone said the program is four nights a week, about 1500 hours, and is designed for students who are serious about embarking in a cosmetology career. “We work very hard with our cosmetology, and also our esthetics students throughout the programs. We even help them with job placement after they get their licenses.”

Michelle Lopez graduated from the JVS Cosmetology program in 2016. She began working at Spa West in Westlake, Ohio as soon as she received her license. Lopez was a full-time barber in the business for 30 years and was making great money. She had never went back to school for cosmetology, but Daidone impressed upon Lopez that she should continue because of her love for the entire field. Upon enrolling at JVS, Lopez was able to use 600 credit hours from her barber experience.

“It was tough, but it was worth it,” shared Lopez. “It took a lot of discipline and took a lot of encouragement from the teachers, but it was so worth it. I was able to learn everything from skin to massage to nails to different techniques.”

Cosmetology courses begins in January at the Adult Career Center. Students will learn the art and science of beautifying hair, skin and nails in a state-of-the art, working salon setting. Instructors oversee hands-on training and provide guidance as the students gain the necessary skills to become professional cosmetologists.

Lopez said the Cosmetology program at JVS certainly enhanced her career. “There’s a whole world of cosmetology out there,” said Lopez. “There’s more to it, than just hair and nails. You can do it all.”

Daidone said the class size is limited to 22 students. Pell grants and student loans are available for eligible students. “So, let us help you start that new career and teach you a variety of so many things. You can do it all, or focus on one aspect of cosmetology.”

For more information about enrolling in the Adult Career Center Cosmetology program call (440) 774-1051 ext. 22254.

The Winter/Spring JVS Adult Career Center catalog not only looks different, but inside there are articles that feature staff, students, alumni and business partners. JVS Adult Career Center Director Kristian Smith said he wanted to change the catalog to capture the reader’s attention.

“We added some feature stories about graduates of programs who have become successful in their careers, and recent graduates to show their success as well,” shared Smith. “We wanted to show a human interest side of the adult education program and share how we have impacted lives, and helped the community.”

The new Adult Career Center catalog was mailed out to over 130,000 homes in Lorain County. You can also go to the JVS website, lcjvs.com to preview a copy of the catalog. There will also be copies available throughout the county at various locations.

For more information about enrolling for winter classes beginning in January and spring classes as well, call (440) 774-1051 ext. 22254.

The Lorain County JVS Open House will be held on Sunday, January 28^th, from 1:30 - 3:30pm.

The Open House is designed to provide students and their parents an opportunity to take an in-depth look at career-technical programs in the following career areas: Building Trades, Business/Marketing, Community Service/Healthcare, Culinary, Manufacturing/Pre-engineering and Transportation.

Instructors from the JVS Connections Academy will also be available to discuss program options for 9^th and 10^th grade students in the Career Readiness and Career Explorations Programs.

Visitors will have the opportunity to:

• Tour our campus and visit the career-technical labs and classrooms.
• Talk with teachers, current students and alumni about our technical programs and academic course offerings.
• Explore College Credit Plus options for earning college credit while attending the JVS.
• Apply for enrollment with the assistance of JVS staff members.
• View student demonstrations of industry-specific equipment used daily in training labs.
• Discover opportunities to develop leadership skills through involvement in career-technical youth organizations.
• Learn about how the JVS Summer Internship Program can provide on-the-job training and school credit.
• Investigate continuing education options after graduation including college, technical school, and apprenticeship training.

In addition, the JVS Adult Career Center staff will be on hand to register adult students for spring semester classes and talk with adults interested in changing careers or upgrading their skills.

Lorain County JVS is located at 15181 State Routes 58 and 20 in Oberlin. For more information contact the JVS at 774-1051 (Elyria, Oberlin), 986-6601 (Lorain), info@lcjvs.com, or at lcjvs.com.

Due to the extreme temperatures, Lorain County JVS is closed Thursday, January 4th.

With fall classes underway at the JVS Adult Career Center, 13 students are taking advantage of the state Adult Diploma Program now offered on campus. The program is free to adults who are over 22 years old, living in Ohio and do not have a diploma or a GED.

Under the program, adult students earn an official high school diploma from the state of Ohio, and an approved industry credential in the program of their choice, from the select programs offered at the Adult Career Center.

The students currently enrolled are involved with three certification areas; Precision Machine Technology, Phlebotomy, and State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA). Five have already passed the WorkKeys Test with the total of 13 points or higher needed in the areas of Reading for Information, Applied Math, and Locating Information.

JVS Coordinator Diana Gott said one of their students will take the State Certification Test next week, hoping to be the first graduate in the STNA Program through the Adult Diploma Program. There is still time to register for the next STNA program offered under the Adult Diploma Program starting October 23. Phlebotomy through ADP begins in March 2018. Other certifications offered through ADP at the Adult Career Center are EMT and Auto Technology scheduled for September 2018.

For more information, stop by the JVS Adult Career Center, located at 15181 State Route 58 in Oberlin or call 440-774-1051 Ext. 22254. You can also go to the Ohio Department of Education website for more information.

There’s a quote that says “it’s never too late!” Many former students at the Lorain County JVS Adult Career Center couldn’t agree more. With winter/spring enrollment taking place right now, JVS Adult Career Center staff are hoping residents who are looking for a new opportunity or wanting to enhance or reboot their careers, will enroll in classes now.

JVS Adult Career Center Director, Kristian Smith said that alumni feature stories were added to the current winter/spring catalog to highlight their accomplishments. “We wanted to show a human interest side of the adult education program and share how we have impacted lives and helped the community.”

Michelle Lopez graduated from the JVS Cosmetology program in 2016. She began working at Spa West in Westlake, Ohio as soon as she received her license. Lopez was a full-time barber in the business for 30 years. Upon enrolling at JVS, Lopez was able to use 600 credit hours from her barber experience. “It was tough, but it was worth it,” shared Lopez. “It took a lot of discipline and took a lot of encouragement from the teachers, but it was so worth it. I was able to learn everything from skin to massage to nails to different techniques.”

Cosmetology courses begin January 22. Students will learn the art and science of beautifying hair, skin, and nails in a state-of-the-art, working salon setting. Instructors oversee hands-on training and provide guidance as the students gain the necessary skills to become professional cosmetologists. Lopez said the Cosmetology program at JVS certainly enhanced her career. “There’s a whole world of cosmetology out there,” said Lopez. “There’s more to it, than just hair and nails. You can do it all.”

Alumni Jenn Martz said while pursuing a license to become a makeup artist; she also chose a career path in esthetics. “It was affordable and worked with my schedule as a single parent. Not only did the program teach me how to do my job, but it also taught me to be a better me as a person, makeup artist, and esthetician.” As a licensed esthetician, Martz conducts facials, waxing, and other skin treatments. She is currently the only esthetician at Hair Emotions Salon and Spa in Ashland, Ohio, and a Prestige Beauty Advisor for Ulta.

The Esthetics program begins in April. Financial aid is available as well as payment plans for many of the courses. Check out the latest course catalog online at lcjvs.com/adult/ or call (440) 774-1051 extension 22254 for more information. Class sizes are limited so register today.

The Lorain County JVS Board of Education welcomed new board member Kathy Quintiliano of Midview Schools on Thursday, January 18th. Quintiliano replaces board member Gary Wilson from her school district.

In other action, JVS Board President Debbie Melda of Keystone Schools and Vice President Rex Engle of Amherst will remain in their current positions on the JVS Board of Education.

Four others took the oath of office returning to their positions on the board. They are Dwayne Becker of Firelands, Charles Froehlich of Avon Lake, Dr. Richard Marcucci of Clearview, and Anne Schaum of Oberlin City Schools.

Shanika Easter of Sheffield Lake has become the first student at the Lorain County JVS Adult Career Center to receive a high school diploma through the state Adult Diploma Program (ADP). Easter was recently presented her high school diploma and State Tested Nursing Assistant Certification.

“I didn’t think it was ever going happen to tell you the truth,” said Easter. “It’s such a big accomplishment because I did not think I was going to get my high school diploma.”

ADP is free to adults who are over 22 years old, living in Ohio and do not have a diploma or a GED. Under the program, adult students earn an official high school diploma from the state of Ohio, and an approved industry credential in the program of their choice, from the select programs offered at the JVS Adult Career Center.

Easter, a mother of two, said she had family support, and the support of the JVS staff. Easter shared, “If you are willing to put the work in, it’s never too late. You have to at least try.”

In addition to the STNA program, Phlebotomy and EMT through ADP begin in March 2018. Other certifications offered through ADP at the JVS Adult Career Center are Precision Machine Technology and Auto Technology scheduled for September 2018.

For more information, stop by the JVS Adult Career Center, located at 15181 State Route 58 in Oberlin or call 440-774-1051 Ext. 22254. You can also go to the Ohio Department of Education website for more information.