Area 30 boasts two new Cat equipment simulators

Students in the Construction Equipment Operator course can now sharpen their skills rain or shine thanks to the $100,000 Career and Technical Rural Education Grant. The equipment simulates a Caterpillar front-end loader and excavator. From left are Area 30 students West Craig, Dalton Henry, Matt Sims, Dylan Campbell and Brayden Summers.

Banner Graphic/Chelsea Modglin

After receiving the Career and Technical Rural Education Grant in the amount of $100,000 last December, the Area 30 Career Center now boasts two Caterpillar heavy equipment simulators.

Students in the Construction Equipment Operator course can sharpen their skills on a front-end loader and excavator, rain or shine. Area 30 hopes the simulators will encourage female students to participate, having received feedback from area employers seeking finesse operators.

In other news:

-- Claims: The board approved claims at a total of $250,717.57.

-- FOP Santa Drop: Director Lora Busch reported that Area 30 students who participated in the annual FOP Santa Toy Drop last December accomodated more than 70 children in 31 families. In addition to wrapping the gifts, a few students also participated in delivery.

-- READY Program: Director Busch introduced Marla Farris, coordinator of the READY (Respect, Ethics, Attitude, Dependability for Youth) program at Area 30. The new program is designed to teach and train career-readiness to students who choose to transition to work after high school.

-- Skills USA: Area 30 will send 32 students to the regional Skills USA competition set for Feb. 2-3. Most of the students sent to regional last year qualified for state, and at that competition Area 30 students placed first in the computer systems networking quiz bowl.

-- Open House: Area 30 will host an open house and college information night Thursday, Feb. 22 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. All sophomores and juniors will receive an invitation, but seniors are also welcome.

The Area 30 Career Center Governing Board’s next regular meeting is set for Feb. 13 at 9 a.m. in the Area 30 Career Center at 1 N. Calbert Way, Greencastle.