LACONIA — Students at the Huot Career and Technical Center in Laconia invited friends, family and prospective students to the campus Thursday afternoon to view their work and learn about their curricula.
Each year, students and staff at the vo-tech hold an open house, where pupils share examples of their work and members of the public and other students interested in attending the center have an opportunity to ask questions and learn details about the programs available from current instructors.
Upon entry to the Huot, which is on the campus of Laconia High School, visitors were greeted by staff and welcomed into a cafeteria, where culinary arts students were hard at work, cooking fresh food and showcasing some of their successful baked goods.
Most of the students showcasing their talents were in their second year — usually 11th and 12th graders on the typical scale.
Natasha LaPointe, culinary arts instructor, said this year they organized the event a little differently.
“We did more of a showcase-style,” she said. Students were able to pick what they wanted to do, and set out in preparation for the open house about two weeks ahead of time.
There’s 35 students in the culinary arts program, 24 of them in their first year there.
“The kids look forward to it all year,” LaPointe said. “This has been their baby that they came up with from start to finish.”
One item on display in the cafeteria was a tall cake containing four layers: confetti, chocolate, strawberry and lemon-blueberry. Families filed in, looking at the work and mingling with students.
“I think the kids you talk to would be proud,” Director of Career and Technical Education David Warrender said Thursday afternoon.
And they were.
In the digital media arts room, 12 graders Madelyn Young and Layla Swett were enthusiastic in describing what they’d learned in their time at the Huot. They’re both interested in film editing and graphic design.
“I really want to do that major when I go to college,” Young said regarding film editing.
Swett, who’s particularly interested in graphic design but also in film editing, said studying those topics at the Huot helped her learn to “adapt to challenges” and find her own unique style in production.
Lately, students are working on a photography project where they’re challenged to find and shoot an item using natural light. Over the course of their studies, they learn to use programs like Adobe Photoshop, Premier and Final Cut Pro. They’ve made a promo video for the technical center by visiting other programs and interviewing students there.
“It shows us how to put together a real, professional video,” Swett said.
Bill Clary, law enforcement program instructor, said he’s seen numerous students go on to study law enforcement or related topics in college and eventually be hired by police or corrections departments in and around the Lakes Region.
Students in his courses learn the basics of case law, the U.S. Constitution, how arrests are made and evidence is gathered, they conduct mock interviews and prepare for oral panels and visit legal institutions including courts, jails, prisons and the New Hampshire State Police Academy.
They’re able to earn certifications through his courses.
“This class is actually very similar to a college class, intro to law enforcement,” Emma Noyes, class of 2024, said.
At least 16 of Clary’s former students went on to become law enforcement professionals, probably more.
At most police departments in the area, candidates have to be 21 years old to be hired on, so Clary suggests his students achieve a two-year degree in a field of their choice, then apply. But Marine Patrol will apparently hire 18-year-olds part time, which can be an advantage down the line.
“You’re experienced, trained, you’re part-time,” Clary said. “They’ll scoop you up right away.”
He’s been teaching the program for 10 years, and often serves as a reference for alumni.
Health science instructor Elyse Pert also stressed the value of gaining certifications and real-world experience through the Huot. She’s got a handful of students working on internships in the community right now, and one of those interns was recently offered a full-time job.
“I have a couple of students at Health First right now,” Pert said. “Kind of a little bit of everywhere.”
Pert’s been teaching there since 2019, and said she’s seen interest in the program grow significantly — partly because the industry is short on workers and also because the COVID pandemic may have sparked an interest in health care among students. Trying different technical paths at the Huot can help students find their passions, she said.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to learn a little bit more about themselves.”
Business education instructor Peter Riendeau teaches a handful of courses, semester-based, on topics including personal finance, accounting and marketing, as well as business technology skills, which will soon be replaced with a second marketing course, which Riendeau said has proven popular among students, though computer skills are important.
“That’s a really valuable tool to have,” he said.
While they’ve held a social media marketing course, the new marketing course will focus on traditional marketing principles.
He’s been at the Huot for six years and this semester has about 23 students — there were 26 in the fall. About four pupils have studied the complete year with him, and his program has drawn interest from students who attend neighboring schools.
They just finished producing social media videos, no more than 10 minutes long.
“Some of them came out really well,” Riendeau said.