- April 25, 2024
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Mikaela Abbruscheo and Mia Shoemaker answer questions at the BTES booth at the Flagship Showcase. Photo by Jacque Estes
Wendy Vidor, Matanzas High School agriculture science teacher, answers questions at the Flagship Showcase on Saturday. Photo by Jacque Estes
MHS culinary student Kieran Schauf whips up pastries and desserts at the Flagler Showcase. Photo by Jacque Estes
Taylor Arnold, MHS culinary student, and teacher Lisa Kittrell answer questions at the Flagler Showcase. Taylor recommends students interested in culinary sign up beginning their freshman year. Photo by Jacque Estes
Mason Evans and Aidan Lafferty from Old Kings Elementary, work on programming a robot at their table. Photo by Jacque Estes
There were 794 people who attended the Flagship Showcase at Buddy Taylor Middle School on Saturday. Photo by Jacque Estes
Flagler Sheriff's deputy Chris Santoianni watches as Jelani Hamilton, 7, winds through the bicycle course in the BTMS parking lot on Saturday. Photo by Jacque Estes
Matthew Weick checks the drone controls at the Flagship Showcase. Photo by Jacque Estes
There were two things that indicated the Flagship Showcase at Buddy Taylor Middle School was going to be a success, the BTMS parking lot was filled to capacity, and school communication information specialist Jason Wheeler, was directing traffic.
“Classrooms to Careers” was presented in January 2015, to introduce the new flagship programs to local businesses and community members. The Flagship Showcase on Saturday, Feb. 20, did the same, except, this time for parents and students.
“I am in the sixth grade and I can say that I know how to fly a drone.” SIXTH GRADE STUDENT Matthew Weick.
“This year we opened it up to families in the community so they can see what is available for their children,” Director of Student and Community Involvement Lynette Shott said. “There’s so much going on around here it’s amazing.”
No one was sure how successful the event would be. Scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon on a Saturday, a Saturday with beautiful spring weather, perfect for being outside – who would come? But 794 parents, grandparents and children didn’t seem to mind spending part of their weekend at school.
”I think it’s fantastic, turnout has been great,” BTMS Principal Nathan Lovelette said. “I have had so many people come and ask questions. They’ve known bits and pieces, but to actually lay everything out, it gives them a much better idea of what’s going on in the schools.”
Sixth-grade student Matthew Weick was one of the few outside, flying a drone under the supervision of Scott Barry, owner of CAVU Aerial Photography.
“I helped launch the drone program at Belle Terre Elementary,” Barry said. “They are learning about the science and math behind it, and how to fly them. The kids are doing an amazing job with it. They fly the drones better than some of the professionals do.”
Matthew flew the drone over the parking lot with ease, an skill he is proud of.
“I am in the sixth grade and I can say that I know how to fly a drone,” Matthew said.
Robotics, flight simulators, food created by Matanzas High School culinary students, and a three-week old goat were just some of the booths set up inside the cafeteria.
“The kids in the programs are manning the booths and are able to share and communicate with all the community members here, “ Shott said. “They can explain what their program is, and what their learning experience has been in that flagship program.”
“They are our top salesmen,” Wheeler said.
Irina Scitich and her daughter Maria, who moved to Palm Coast from Kazakhstan, were all smiles as they walked back to their car.
“We came to this exhibition and we liked it very much,” Scitich said. “There’s a lot of new technology and interesting things, not only for the kids, but even for adults also.”
Parents can look forward to this becoming an annual event.
“This is the time, in the springtime, when families are starting to make selections,” Shott said. “In the high schools, program selection sheets will start going out in March or April. It’s time to start thinking about that."
