Pedal-ED campaign aims to support students pursuing CTE pathways
As students venture deeper into their high school careers, they turn an eye to the future.
To many, that means applying to four-year universities, but there are those that want to remind students that they have more than one option.
Dr. Brian Dozer, president of the Orange County nonprofit Vital Link, has been cycling to and meeting with students to raise awareness about career technical education pathways through the Pedal-ED fundraising effort.
The initial goal of $20,000 has just been surpassed, Dozer confirmed on Saturday. The funds were raised with substantial help from 100 Companies That Care, a philanthropic group made up of businesses in Orange County.
Dozer said that there will be 10 $2,000 scholarships handed out to students who can show proof of enrollment at a community college. Scholarships will consider the needs of the student, who should be from the Orange County area.
“There aren’t as many scholarships for community colleges, so as an organization — Vital Link — that is focused on CTE in Orange County, we really thought it was appropriate to target the community colleges,” Dozer said while making a stop at Laguna Beach High School on Friday. “Again, really what we want to do is shine a light on you, the students, and the hard work you’re doing.”
Dozer was addressing students in the Multimedia 3D Design course, a class taught by Scott Wittkop.
Dozer has biked 205 miles over four trips during the Pedal-ED scholarship campaign, including a 56-mile ride on Friday.
His itinerary took him to Mission Viejo, Capistrano Valley, Laguna Beach and Irvine high schools, as well as Saddleback College and a secondary campus for Irvine Valley College.
Some students showcased work that they had produced in the multimedia class, working with devices such as 3D printers and laser cutting and engraving machines.
Henry Miller, 17, a senior, told the presenters that he taught himself how to manufacture a gear for his RC car in the class.
Senior London Boyd, 17, said she has also applied skills that she has learned for purposes that lie outside of the course curriculum.
“I also help design some stuff for our neighborhood … because we have a Christmas event coming up,” she said. “They wanted a poster, and they asked me to design it.”
Kellee Shearer, a career counseling coordinator for the Laguna Beach Unified School District, said the high school offers 14 courses that give students a chance to earn early college credits and sit for 18 industry certification exams.
“I think we get into a mindset where everybody has to go to college,” District Supt. Dr. Jason Viloria said. “Everyone needs to be prepared for whatever it is their next step is going to be in life, and that means we have to provide a very robust college and career experience, so that students walk out with the skills they need to be successful, whatever that might be.
“My philosophy is always to tell kids, ‘Don’t close doors on yourself,’ because you might want to go down that pathway at some point in your life, so always do the best you can, but also take advantage of the various opportunities that you have.”
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