MANCHESTER

This is the third year the Manchester School of Technology has offered a one-week summer camp program to introduce eighth- and ninth-graders to the various career programs the school offers. Until now, the programs were part of a two-year program for high school juniors and seniors who take their academic classes at their home schools and are transported to MST for career classes.

That's changing this fall. Although the Manchester School of Technology will continue to offer the two-year option, it is starting a four-year high school program in September.

Students who choose that program will take all their classes at MST, with many of the academic courses tailored to the career choices. They will spend much of their fourth year on internships, other work environment programs and college classes to advance their career choices.

A large percentage of students in the two-year program go on to post-secondary education and MST Principal Karen White expects that will also be true of students in the new four-year program.

White said the week-long summer career camp will also be changing with the addition of the four-year high school.

In the first three years camp was offered, participants have been eighth and ninth grade students. During the week they spend each morning and afternoon in a different program, which gives them a taste of as many as 10 career options.

This year, school funded classes were offered in culinary arts 1 and 2, public safety, auto tech, collision repair, cosmetology, plumbing, health science, game design and manufacturing. A carpentry for girls class was funded through a special grant.

The classes are taught by MST teachers, who volunteer. They get paid extra and get a $500 budget for supplies. White said many sign up just because they know how important it is to expose young people to the career opportunities.

Proof of the camp's value comes from the support offered this year by McLaughlin Middle School teachers who donated money for scholarships for promising students who couldn't afford the $49 tuition.

She said the Manchester Rotary is interested in providing summer camp scholarships in future years and is interested in having a junior Rotary Club at MST. “So many people are seeing the value,” she said.

Growing interest

There were 47 campers the first year, 60 last year and more than twice that number this summer. At that rate of growth, White expects to reach the 150 maximum the budget supports soon, especially with the opening of the four-year school.

While a few ninth graders will be accepted, the targeted grades going forward are seventh and eighth so attendees will have the option of signing up for either the two- or four-year programs. “We want to be able to use this as a transition,” she said.

White said the first MST freshman class is almost complete, although a few slots remain. Several students in this year's summer camp are registered for the first freshmen class in the new four-year MST.

The first year, students in the four-year and two-year programs will be in separate classes and spaces. But in the second and third years, the full-time MST students will be in the same career classes as students in the two-year program. In the fourth year, the full-timers will be spending time out in the field in internships, attending college classes or in jobs in their chosen fields.

One of the campers who chose the four-year program explained its appeal. Riley McGuire, 14, from Cawley Middle School in Hooksett, said: “I thought it would be a better opportunity for me.” She figures she'll get a head start on her chosen career. She's not worried about parting with most of her classmates, saying: ”You get to meet new people and make new friends.”

McGuire is interested in cosmetology. There is a family connection. Her mother is a receptionist at a salon and McGuire said: “My sister did cosmetology and she really liked it.”

But McGuire also knows that career choices can change. The sister who completed the cosmetology program at MST? “She's going to school for medical assistant,” said McGuire.

Camper Rachel Hagen, 15, a rising sophomore at Manchester High School Central, would only be eligible for the two-year MST program. “I'm really interested in graphic design,” she said, but added: “I'm still really exploring.”

Sam Coutu, 17, a student at Bedford High School who is in the two-year MST program, is helping out manufacturing teacher Dan Cassidy during camp.

“I really like this class,” said Coutu, who said the two-year program was ideal for him. “I know I want to go into engineering, but I didn't know what kind,” he said. Now he's leaning toward manufacturing, but he's not planning to head off to an engineering school right after graduation next year. He plans to start his college career at a community college. to get the basic courses out of the way.

Junior, a 15-year-old from Hillside Middle School, said: “This school is pretty high tech.” Taking a break from the manufacturing class, he said he likes the hands-on classes. “You actually learn stuff.” he said, instead of sitting in a class listening to a lecture and taking notes.

The classes provide surprises for some students, like Paradise Ducharme, 14, from South Side Middle School. “I never thought I'd be interested in plumbing,” she said. Culinary arts was also a pleasant surprise, learning how to hold knives and learning about the specific taste areas of the mouth. “We had to do a little tasting,” she said.

It wasn't a total surprise, but after a session in auto tech, Ducharme said: “I really hate automotive.” But she does endorse the hands-on approach of the camp.

Allie Hebert, 15, a sophomore at Manchester High School West, is considering her options regarding the two-year MST program. “I wanted to learn about all the different programs.” Hebert said: “I wanted to see if something appealed.” She found public safety, especially the crime scene segment, interesting and culinary arts was helpful. “I haven't used anything but the microwave at my house,” she said.

Rachel Thibeault, 14, who will be at Manchester Memorial High School in the fall, said: “I was interested in the culinary (arts). My dad likes to cook and I've been experimenting.”

She described the game design class as “pretty cool,” saying she likes to play the Sims video game. As for opting for the two-year MST program, Thibeault said: “I've thought about it,” but she's not committing yet.

Aimee Clarke, a 14-year-old from Cawley Middle School in Hooksett, chose the four-year MST program. “I just think it's a better opportunity. . .I think hands-on you can learn more,” said Clarke.