MHS Cisco Academy students earn awards, certification

In its fifth year of existence, the Cisco Academy at Maricopa High School achieved some significant milestones.

They created the 24 Pin Technologies student-led business.  They expanded the business district-wide and processed over 60 work orders this year.  These work orders included refurbishing over 300 desktops and laptops computes for AzStrut.  They also created the business website  http://24pintech.wordpress.com.

At the Arizona Skills USA State Championships in both the Internetworking and Information Technology Services competition, students took five of six medals, two of which were state champions. Those students were:

Carter and Reece will be representing Arizona and Maricopa High School this summer at the Skills USA national championships in Louisville, Kentucky.

Lastly and most impressively, the program had 13 students pass 16 professional certification exams.  Students passing these certification exams included:

Neal McNelly – PC Pro
Alden Cacpal – PC Pro
Autsin Terrell – PC Pro
Justin Phengmyrath – PC Pro
Nick Adams – PC Pro
Reece Thompson – Network Pro, Security Pro
Zach Kalnasy – Network Pro, Security Pro
Devon Large – PC Pro, Security Pro
Jacob Ybarra – Network Pro
Michael Martinez – Network Pro
Sean Guerrero – Network Pro
Zachary Quintero – Network Pro
Carter Petty – Network Pro

Brad Chamberlain, Cisco Academy instructor: “I would like to thank those who have made this program possible.

“Mr. Rick Neilson – Former Director Career and Technical Education MHS – Thanks for having the vision to start the program and entrusting it to me.

“Mr. Tom Mehlert – Executive Director at AzStrut – Thanks for your support to the program in supplying equipment, work, and certification opportunities for the students.

“Mr. Bob Samson – Lead Instructor Cisco Academy at Mesa Community College – Thank you for your support of the program by sharing curriculum and materials to give the students a richer more challenging experience.

“Mrs. Renita Meyers – Principal MHS – For supporting the program and allowing for it to grow.

“Mr. Mike Glover – Director CAVIT – Mike thank you for your continued financial support which has supplied the majority of our systems and materials over the years.

“The Maricopa School District Information Technology Department – Thank you for working with me and going above and beyond to ensure we have access to the technology resources to make the program possible.

“Mrs. Michelle Shaffer – MHS Assistant Principal for Career and Technical Education – Thank you for your continued belief in myself and the program.  Without your continued support, none of this would have been possible.”

Chamberlain said the year was dedicated to Logan Jones.

“Logan was a senior in my third-year computer maintenance class.  He fell ill and passed away suddenly and unexpectedly this spring.  His contributions to 24 Pin Technologies and to the further development of the course were significant.  His loss affected myself and his classmates deeply.  He will be missed but never forgotten.”