by 
Ashley Darreas
Christopher Villaverde Jr.
By Nina Crowder
Ashley Darreas, a senior from Superior Unified School District, participates in many activities and one in particular the Cobre Valley Institute of Technology (CVIT) program. Ashley began the CVIT program her junior year of high school and continues with the program this year. Ashley has a rigorous schedule that starts with six hours of regularly scheduled high school classes. She also participates in cheerleading for football and basketball after school and at games. After this her CVIT classes begin. She has CVIT classes from 4:30 p.m. until about 6 p.m. She has homework for her high school classes and also with CVIT. Ashley also participates in the Family Community Career Leaders of America (FCCLA).
Ashley in enrolled in the Geology CVIT Program and really enjoys the college professors and classes. In her Geology classes she has lectures and labs. Geology is the science that deals with the dynamics and physical history of the earth, the rocks and the physical, chemical, and biological changes that the earth has undergone or is undergoing. One of her classes she recalls measuring sizes of earthquakes with a linear line chart. They were taught to measure the earthquakes based on the chart and even where the earthquake had started. They also had worked with the dirt and sand to see if it stayed sloped or angled from the earthquake. They also take the students on field trips.
Ashley’s Geology class last year had 10 students. Having a smaller class gave the students the opportunity to get to know each other and the professor’s on a more personal level. The CVIT Geology class was actually held in Superior last year. The professor was from Central Arizona College and at different times an Arizona State University professor would attend and help teach the students.
Christopher Villaverde Jr. is another Superior senior that participates in the CVIT program. Christopher has been enrolled in the electrician field and after this year when he graduates with his high school diploma will also have his associates degree. Christopher started the CVIT program his sophomore year in the graphic design field, but then changed to the electrician field his junior year. He plans to obtain a job in the electrical field right out of high school and CVIT has made this possible for him.
Christopher, like Ashley, has his regular classes at Superior High School. He also participates in tennis, FCCLA and CVIT. This summer Christopher was able to participate in the FCCLA Nationals that were held in Tennessee. During nationals he was awarded a silver metal for his work. Christopher also has an interest in law enforcement and is currently a Pinal County Explorer through the Pinal County Sheriffs Department. He has been with them for about a year and a half now. Christopher said through the CVIT program he has made many new friends and has great teachers.
Christopher’s CVIT classes are held at the Gila College. He leaves after lunch around 12:45 p.m. for the journey to Gila College. Superior provides transportation to Gila College. Christopher considers his classes to be “hands on” but they do have lectures and plenty of homework. The professors teach circuitry, systems, motor controls and every day electrical procedures. He looks forward to a career as an electrician where he will be able to install, maintain, repair and operate electrical equipment and circuitry. Christopher is able to work with his father who owns and operates his own electrical company called Villaverde Electric in Superior. Christopher said his father’s work inspired him to pursue the electrical field. Christopher’s CVIT Electrical class consists of twelve student’s total. He recommends taking the CVIT classes now since it is free and said to “work smarter not harder.” Christopher said he loves every minute of his CVIT classes!
Christopher feels that CVIT could do more promotional work to get more students involved. He thought maybe a slide show to show what CVIT is and what it can do for the students would help and possibly a booth at the schools where students could randomly pick up information about CVIT. Christopher also said there are limits on transportation and feels more students could participate if the transportation was more readily available.
The schools involved with Cobre Valley Institute Technology (CVIT) are Superior, Hayden, Miami, Globe and San Carlos. CVIT was established in 2000 it is one of 13 Joint Technical Education Districts (JTED) in Arizona. The JTED system along with community colleges, universities and primary and secondary schools is one of four pillars of Arizona’s educational system. Each JTED takes on the challenge to prepare Arizona students for a highly competitive workforce. As a result of the efforts of the JTED system more than 100 school districts have the opportunity to provide innovative career and technical educational programs for students.
The CVIT classes are offered as school credit so not only will students be able to walk out of high school with a high school diploma but also a certificate in the field they have chosen with college credits. This opportunity can help students obtain a job out of high school that will enable them to help pay for college.
For additional information about CVIT and the programs they offer please feel free to visit their website at www.cvit81.org or talk with your school guidance counselor.
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