CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — Charles County Public Schools seniors are graduating with more than a diploma this year. Across Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, students are earning industry certifications, completing capstone projects and gaining hands-on experience that prepares them for college, technical training and the workforce.
Recent achievements showcase the accomplishments of students pursuing careers in information technology, engineering, healthcare, education, culinary arts and the skilled trades. Through certifications, industry-recognized credentials and project-based learning, these seniors are building skills that can help them succeed long after graduation.
Cisco Networking Students Earn Advanced IT Certifications
Among this year’s achievements are students in North Point High School’s Cisco Networking Academy.
Patrick Koffi Aluko and Khiren Smith earned both the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification and all three Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) certifications — a significant accomplishment in the information technology field. An additional 13 seniors earned all three CCST certifications.
The certifications validate skills in networking, cybersecurity and IT support, providing students with credentials recognized by employers throughout the technology industry. The achievement reflects hundreds of hours of coursework, technical training and preparation for professional certification exams.
School officials praised the students for their dedication and commitment to building real-world networking skills as they prepare for careers in technology and cybersecurity.
Pharmacy Technician Students Achieve Record Exam Results
At the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, seniors in the Pharmacy Technician program delivered some of the strongest certification exam results in program history.
Seventeen students took the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) on May 8, with 16 students passing on their first attempt — resulting in a 94% pass rate.
According to program officials, students achieved an average score of 401.6, nearly five points higher than the previous year’s average. Ten students scored above 400 on the exam, marking the highest number ever recorded by the program. The top score reached 424 out of a possible 500 points.
The Pharmacy Technician program prepares students for careers in hospitals, retail pharmacies and other healthcare settings through classroom instruction, laboratory experiences and certification preparation.
Culinary Arts Students Earn National Credentials
Seniors Eli Sheggurd and Dorian Hibbard earned the American Culinary Federation Certified Fundamentals Cook diploma — a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates foundational culinary knowledge and professional cooking skills.
Both students also earned ServSafe Manager certification, validating their knowledge of food safety, sanitation and restaurant operations.
The credentials provide a foundation for careers in restaurants, hospitality, catering and food service management while giving students a competitive advantage as they enter the workforce or pursue additional culinary training.
Automotive Technology Seniors Earn Industry Certifications
Students in North Point High School’s Automotive Technology program are graduating with valuable industry credentials and hands-on experience that can help launch careers in the automotive industry.
According to Charles County CTE officials, students across the program earned 42 Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) student certifications during the school year. Seniors led the way, earning 16 certifications while demonstrating their knowledge of vehicle maintenance, repair procedures and automotive systems.
ASE certifications are recognized throughout the automotive industry and help validate a student’s technical knowledge and readiness for entry-level positions. Students in the Automotive Technology program gain real-world experience working in a shop environment while learning diagnostic, repair and maintenance skills used by professional technicians.
School officials said the certifications reflect the students’ hard work and commitment to developing career-ready skills as they prepare for employment, apprenticeships, technical training programs and postsecondary education opportunities.
Child Development Seniors Present Capstone Projects
Students in North Point’s Child Development Professions program recently showcased their work during the school’s CTE Capstone Night.
Seniors presented their Child Development Associate portfolios alongside culminating projects that challenged them to design developmentally appropriate child care centers. The projects demonstrated their understanding of classroom design, child development principles and early childhood education best practices.
The Child Development Professions pathway prepares students for careers working with young children through a three-year program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on experiences. Students work toward earning the nationally recognized Child Development Associate credential while developing professional skills needed in education and child care settings.
School officials said the presentations highlighted the students’ creativity, growth and dedication throughout their CTE journey.
PLTW Engineering Seniors Showcase Capstone Projects At Lackey High School
Engineering seniors at Henry E. Lackey High School recently showcased their capstone projects during Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Senior Design Presentations, highlighting creativity, problem-solving and real-world skills developed throughout their time in the PLTW Engineering pathway.
Students presenting included Peyton Lewis, Rosvelto Arellano, Adam Clemons, Jenyah Davis, Vincent Tu, Cristopher Garcia, Jacob Rollins, Brylee Boyden, Carter Trilli, Christian Rodriguez, Donovan Smith and Gavin Rooney.
The PLTW Engineering program challenges students to apply science, math and engineering principles to real-world problems through a hands-on, project-based curriculum. Senior Design Presentations serve as a culminating experience, giving students the opportunity to demonstrate the technical and critical thinking skills they have built across multiple years of study.
Charles County Public Schools CTE officials said the presentations reflected the students’ growth and dedication as they prepare to enter college, technical programs and careers in engineering and technology fields.
Preparing Students For Career Success
The recent accomplishments across multiple Charles County CTE programs demonstrate the growing opportunities available to students seeking career-focused education before graduation.
Whether entering the workforce, attending college or pursuing additional technical training, students are leaving high school with professional certifications, industry experience and practical skills that align with workforce needs in technology, healthcare, education and hospitality.
Learn more about Charles County Public Schools Career and Technical Education programs at ccboe.com.
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