Metro Technology Centers prepares people for successful employment and life in a global society.
Metro Tech Hunger Fighters Making a Difference
Jan 27th
We are the Metro Tech Hunger Fighters, a group of four students that want to make a difference for the hungry in OKC. We are students in Metro Tech’s Biomedical Sciences Academy. As part of our community service project for HOSA, we chose to support the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma (RFBO).
Please meet two of the MT Hunger Fighters and learn a little bit about why the issue of hunger is important to them.
Elizabeth Morris, 16, grew up in Oklahoma City. She comes from a large family and understands the importance of food to feed her family. Elizabeth has a huge heart for her community and is excited to push the Hunger Fighters mission to its fullest potential.
Melanie Stromie, 17, has experienced the struggle of making ends meet at home. Her family had money problems and at times it was hard keeping food on the table. She wants to help feed other families that know what hunger feels like. Melanie is proud to be a MT Hunger Fighter!
The MT Hunger Fighters chose to support the RFBO after touring the facility. “We did an exercise to try to find food on a limited or non-existent budget, Melanie said. “We saw firsthand how RFBO grows some of their own food and distributes food to feed OKCs hungry”.
This year, the Hunger Fighters are raising awareness about hunger by visiting their peers and at elementary schools about talking to them about resources and ways to help fight hunger in Oklahoma. “We will be hosting food drives and a fundraising run,” Elizabeth said. “We really want to spread our message and gain even more momentum”. The Hunger Fighters are hoping to host a run on the Metro Tech Springlake campus on March 30, 2012.
We care about our community. We are students who believe we can make a difference. We are the Metro Tech Hunger Fighters.
Please show your support by liking our Facebook page to learn about our upcoming events.
We ask that you repost this blog on your Facebook and Twitter pages to help us spread the word and eliminate hunger in our community.
FREE Tax Assistance at MCA!
Jan 19th
Metro Technology Centers and the Community Action Agency are offering FREE Tax Preparation Assistance. Metro Tech’s Parent Resource Center (PRC) is hosting the tax assistance for the third year. This year it is located in the new Metro Career Academy at 1901 Springlake Drive. Assistance is available Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Several Metro Tech students were trained in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) software. PRC Coordinator, Carole Brown says this opportunity gives the students a chance to work with community members. “I hope the community takes advantage of this service,” Brown said. “It is right here in our neighborhood.”
Those who participate in the tax assistance will need to bring their W-2 or 1099 forms, a picture I.D., and social security numbers for all individuals claimed on tax returns. Call 232-0199 for more information or visit our Facebook event.
~ Cedric Lomarr Cudjoe II ~
Jan 18th
May 1, 1975 – January 16, 2012
Cedric Lomarr Cudjoe II was a great friend to many within the Metro Tech family. We would like to remember Cedric as he will be greatly missed. Regardless of Cedric’s health challenges, he brought joy to Metro Tech and was happy to share his good spirits with everyone. Cedric has been on dialysis and on a kidney donor list for the past nine years. Cedric and his wife, Felicia Cox-Cudjoe, made a Youtube video asking for anyone who found it in their hearts to donate a kidney. Sadly, that request was not fulfilled.
During his time as a Career Advisor at Metro Tech, Cedric used his ability to make everyone feel comfortable. “He was able to encourage prospective students who were unsure of themselves to realize their capabilities,” Camilla Riley, Chief Officer of Guidance and Academic Services (Cedric’s boss and friend) said. “He befriended many of us at Metro Tech. If you knew him, whether as Cedric or Lomarr, you were truly blessed,” Riley said.
Cedric thought of Metro Tech as his home and extended family. In November 2011, he sent an email to thank everyone for the support he had received from MTC after a stay in the hospital. “Metro Tech is truly the best place to not only to call a career…….but to call HOME due to the simple fact that we are all one big FAMILY!!!!!! Again thank you greatly and please keep me and my family in your prayers and know that you are in mine!!!” Cedric Lomarr Cudjoe II
Funeral Services are Saturday, January 21 at 11:00 am.
St. John Missionary Baptist Church
5700 N. Kelley Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
More information can be found at Temple & Sons website.
Please keep Cedric’s family in your thoughts and take a moment to remember him. We encourage you to post your thoughts and prayers in the comments.
Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jan 12th
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream, 1963.
Most Americans have heard the speech, “I Have a Dream” by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The legacy of Dr. King represents America’s history of civil rights: the struggle African-Americans and supporters faced and the hurdles our nation overcame to accept that all races are equal.
We would like to reflect on this important time in history and honor Dr. King on Monday, January 16th. Metro Tech will be closed for this momentous holiday. Please, reflect on the dream we now know as truth.
Below is a video about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr created by the Biography Channel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ank52Zi_S0
ITC/Dove Academy Clothing Drive
Jan 12th
Metro Technology Center’s Legal Office Services Business Professionals of America (BPA) students partnered with Dove Academy for a clothing drive. Business attire donated by everyone supported the MCA clothing closet and all other clothing items were collected on behalf of Dove Academy to support children and adults in third world countries. Legal Office Services also collected clean, gently used coats and jackets as part of the One Warm Coat community service project. Coats and clothing items of all shapes and sizes were given in support of the drive. 
One Warm Coat is dedicated to distributing reusable coats, free of charge directly to local children and adults. The program is an easy way for you and your family to pass along coats and jackets that you no longer need. All donated coats and jackets will be given to the City Rescue Mission for distribution. Students dropped off coats between October 1, 2011 – December 9, 2011.
Special thanks to Jamsine Digital Graphics www.jasminedg.com.
Metro Tech Appreciates Our Board Members
Jan 6th
January is School Board Recognition Month, and Metro Technology Centers is joining other school districts across the state to gratefully acknowledge the invaluable contributions local school board members make to their communities.
The School Board’s job is to establish a vision for the education program, design a structure to achieve that vision, ensure schools are accountable to the community, and strongly advocate continuous improvement in student learning. Metro Tech Superintendent Dr. James Branscum says the Metro Tech board members have a tremendous responsibility preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s leadership. “School board members serve countless hours working to enhance the quality of education students receive. They are the voice of their communities, serving in the best interest of students,” said Branscum.
Metro Tech proudly joins educators and community members in saluting these education advocates as they provide leadership for student achievement, academic and career education programs, district funding, and school facilities. “Their service ensures that decisions about local public schools are made by those most familiar with the needs of the community’s students and stakeholders,” said Branscum. “These individuals deserve recognition and thanks for their commitment and dedication to the continuing success of students and schools,” he said.
The men and women serving Metro Technology Centers are Dr. Donna Neal Thomas, District 5, Board President; Elizabeth A. Richards, District 3, Board Vice President; Ron Perry, District 1, Board Clerk; E. Elaine Schuster, District 4; Sarah McKinney, District 2; Patricia Means, District 7; and Jim Huff, District 7.
WE APPRECIATE YOU!
Jan 5th
I would like to welcome guest blogger and fellow student, Kandace Dyer. She comes to us from Accounting & Financial Services to share her story of giving thanks to the teachers at ITC who make a difference in our lives.
Information of Technology Center Students came together on December 7, 2011 to give thanks and appreciation to all the instructors. Students prepared a luncheon at the ACE campus. The instructors were quite surprised and enjoyed the moment. They received gifts from the students including a decoratively framed, hand-made certificate, a bag of candy, a cup reading “Teachers are a gift, they touch our lives forever” and a Mexican feast courtesy of Taco Rico. The instructors of the ITC building are very inspirational, and caring. They always supply us with encouragment and play a vital role in our lives. We appreciate all of the wonderful things they do for us as a site. We can’t forget Mr. Plemons and his Administration staff as well. Thank you! This was a well deserved appreciation presentation.
Beauty Academy Elves at Other Options!
Dec 15th
Wrapping paper, bows and smiles filled every available space at Other Options, Inc. Friends Food Pantry. Students from Metro Tech’s Beauty Academy (BA) jumped in to help Other Options wrap Christmas gifts for 450 households in the greater Oklahoma City area.
Other Options provides food, resources, services, and education to at-risk individuals and families with a focus on those affected by HIV and AIDS. During the holiday season, Other Options clients can be “adopted” through the Angel Tree event. Trees decorated with client Christmas wishes were placed at many supporting businesses in Oklahoma City.
Charla Stevenson, Other Options Housing Manager, says she couldn’t be more pleased with the overwhelming response from the Metro Tech students. After two students volunteered at the pantry, they wanted to know more. Next thing Charla knew, she was delivering an Angel Tree to the BA with 20 cards of Christmas wishes. “The students fulfilled every wish on the tree,” Charla said. Other Options expected a few students to join them for wrapping the gifts but little did she know the perseverance of community service at Metro Tech. “They came in droves! We had so many students show up we had to run and get more supplies!” Charla said.
BA students spent a total of three hours over two days wrapping gifts. Krystle Steele, Esthetician student, says Other Options has jump started her Christmas spirit. “This has been so much fun. We’ve wrapped hundreds of gifts for families we know really need it,” Krystle said. Krystle’s wrapping partner, Shanell Cobb, Cosmetology student, said helping Other Options has been an amazing experience. “It just feels awesome to give back. I have cousins who don’t have parents and have been helping them get through the holidays. I know how much this means to people who need a gift on Christmas,” Shanell said. “We’d like to do this every year, even outside of Metro Tech.”
Mary Arbuckle, Director of Other Options, says The Angel Tree program started about 12 years ago, serving only a handful of clients. Now, Angel Tree has grown to serve 1,048 clients. “These
students have been such a tremendous help. They came in, sat down and started wrapping,” Mary said. “We couldn’t have gotten all the gifts wrapped if it wasn’t for Metro Tech. It means so much more when you get to open a gift at Christmas and I know a lot of these gifts will be the only gifts some of our people will get this year.”
I was ecstatic to see so many of my “kids” pitching in at an organization I care about dearly. THANK YOU !!
Oklahoma Ethics
Dec 13th
Several Administrative Assistant students attended the October Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium in downtown Oklahoma City. OK Ethics fosters positive characteristics of integrity in the successful achievement of its goals. Their guiding principles were developed based on the Character First Institute’s values and philosophies. Sound familiar Metro Tech? 
The Keynote Speaker for the consortium was Mr. Chuck Colson, “Do the Right Thing”. Mr. Colson is a popular and widely known speaker, author, and radio commentator. He was an aide to former President, Richard Nixon and is the founder of Prison Fellowship, Break Point, and the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview. Fellow student, Garliec Embery said Colson made the audience really thing about two questions; How would you describe the ethical climate in this country? and How does one arrive at agreement about moral truths that transcend differences in individuals’ upbringing and perspectives? “In my opinion, one’s ethics and morals begin in the home and it is all about how you were raised,” Embery said. “I enjoyed the meeting and would love to attend another OK Ethics luncheon. It was great.”
Another student, Jessica Lagunes-Flores said she was very impressed at how everyone presented themselves at the event. “During lunch they showed a movie presentation about “How to Better our Society,” Lagunes-Flores. “Mr. Colson spoke about problems and solutions to some of our country’s problems .I am very grateful that my instructor and Metro Tech gave me the opportunity to experience the OK Ethics luncheon.”
SBC Spreads Holiday Cheer!
Dec 12th
South Bryant Campus students and staff played Santa to 193 children by giving stuffed stockings to the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma.
The generously stuffed stockings overflowed with toys, snacks, hats, stickers, bubbles, jump ropes, candy, crayons, coloring books, and games for both girls and boys. The Red Cross will distribute the stockings throughout the OKC area to organizations like Head Start, Latino Community Development Agency, community parks and libraries. Participating classes included Graphic Design, HVACR, Electrical, CADD, Construction Trades, Culinary Arts, ESL and the Academic Center. The feeling of joy filled the room and hopefully will be felt when the children receive their stockings. Students said the project gave them the “warm and fuzzies”.
A big pat on the back goes to SBC for all of their work in caring for the community.
