Whittier Tech Hosts Open House
HAVERHILL — Prospective students and their parents gathered at the Whittier Tech open house last weekend to sample what the for-profit high school has to offer.
In preparation for the event, design and visual communication students designed and printed invitations that were sent to more than 1,800 eighth grade students and their families in all 11 Whittier districts.
At the open house, students were introduced to Whittier's newest major: marine technology. The lobby displays boats, jet skis, motors, and boats made by carpentry students and painted by auto body students.
Students and parents are also seeing demonstrations from 22 of Whittier's other fields: visual design and communication; graphic Communication; Cosmetic products; Cooking; early education and care; hotel management; marketing business management; carpenter; electricity; stone; plumbing; CAD/drawing; health care; health care; dental care; commercial technologies; electronics/robots; engineering technology; Heating, ventilation, air conditioning; processing technology; metal fabrication; auto body/accident repair and automotive technology.
During the open house, Haverhill's young masons Silas Smith and Gracie Fetty built the fireplace from scratch. Electronics and robotics students pilot drones over obstacles around the gym, while engineering students pilot remote-controlled vehicles over cones and obstacles.
Participants enjoyed food, drinks and snacks prepared by culinary students at the school's Poet's Inn restaurant, including tortellini, chocolate mousse, cakes, cookies, coffee and tea.
"Open House is an opportunity for Whittier Tech to open its doors to the community so they can see all the amazing things that happen every day at our 22 career programs," said career coordinator Amanda Crosby. "It's great to see applicants and their families explore our school and all that Whittier has to offer."
In addition to studying, students and their parents learn about extracurricular activities offered at Whittier, such as SkillsUSA, attend application assistance sessions, visit the school store, and learn about career and college options after graduation . Two hundred and fifty applicants applied on the opening day.
"We had an incredible turnout this past weekend," Superintendent Maureen Lynch said in a news release. "Thank you to everyone who participated and to all the students and staff who helped make this open house a success."
