EVIT Elects New Leaders

East Valley Institute of Technology students elected their 2010/11 student leaders through ECC, the Executive Club Council.

Morning EVIT ECC President, Isaac Chicas ran for office because he likes being the "go to" person. He likes problem solving and wants to make a difference in his fellow student's lives. He is a senior in the EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) Program at EVIT.

Afternoon EVIT ECC President, Carly Schlum ran for office because she loves EVIT so much, and she wants all students to have the same wonderful experience she's had. Carly received top honors in Health Occupations last year and has returned for her senior year in Allied Health.

The EVIT Executive Club Council is comprised of two representatives from each of the 40 classes on the EVIT campus. The student body president is selected by the members.

Congratulations, Isaac and Carly!

Bring a Friend to EVIT and win a Wii

Students love their classes at EVIT so we asked them to "Invite a Friend" to school. If the friend registered for Fall 2010 classes, and he or she were still in class after 6 weeks, both friends could enter a drawing for a new black Wii.

The announcement was made that friends Ricardo Villa and Edguardo Aguiluz won the drawing. A Wii was presented to each of them in Mr. Ray Rogers Computer Repair class.

Word of mouth is still the best way to find out about the exciting classes at EVIT. But you can also learn more on the EVIT website www.evit.com.

Fly Away With EVIT!

The new East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) branch campus at Power Road and Ray in Mesa is well ahead of schedule to open in August 2011. EVIT is looking at many possible classes at its new branch campus, but for now it is all about Aviation!

Learn to fly a plane! Learn to maintain aircraft! Become a flight attendant! Fly unmanned aerospace vehicles! Take an Air Traffic Controller class!

If you are a qualified high school student in an EVIT school district, it's free, and transportation is provided.

Tell your Mom and Dad. Invite them to our Tech Fest on January 29th, 2011. I guarantee they will say, "Wow! I wish I could have gone to a school like this!"

Bridesmaid dresses get a second chance at EVIT!

The lace and frills of a bridesmaid dress are beautiful at a wedding, but where else can you wear taffeta, tulle and beads? East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) Fashion Merchandising students learned to capitalize on their investment in a bridesmaid dress by making it the perfect pick for more than the one wedding occasion. Their challenge? Take a bridesmaid dress and create a party dress that can shine at any special event.

They shortened the skirt, cinched the waist, and dropped the shoulder to make this dress an "any dressy Saturday night" fashion statement.

EVIT celebrates National Surgical Technology Week

East Valley Institute of Technology's (EVIT) Surgical Technology program has shared in the national celebration of Surgical Technology Week with speakers and special programs each day. Today, EVIT 2010 Surgical Technology graduate Kevin Main returned to tell current students of his success.

After completing the ten month program at EVIT, he had a job within two months and is living his dream.

Current Surgical Technology students had some fun creating a display including a skeleton in surgical garb to promote Surgical Technology week.

Surgical Technology is a program in the EVIT School of Adult Education. For more information, check evit.com/adulted or call 480 461-4028.

Former EVIT student returns to inspire and hire

East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) alumnus Bryan J. Kinnaird returned to share his success with students, and recruit future employees. Kinnaird is an award winning screenwriter and author/creator of the popular sci-fi graphic novel series THE VILLIKON CHRONICLES, and executive producer of the short film THE VILLIKON CHRONICLES: GENESIS OF EVIL.

Kinnaird was a student in the Radio/TV program at Mesa Vo Tech, the predecessor of EVIT, in 1986-87. He visited Eric Perez' 3D Animation program to recruit student employees to work on the VILLIKON CHRONICLES, and a cartoon reproduction of the immensely popular 1980's television series "Dallas."

EVIT is fortunate to have many successful graduates who often return to inspire...and hire...students who share their passion.

Senior Portraits taken by EVIT Multimedia Seniors

Who could know better what you want in your senior portrait than another senior? East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) Multimedia students will be practicing their photography skills by offering Senior Portraits.
Senior picture packages start at $100.00, with larger packages up to $200.00. All the proceeds will support the Multimedia class fund.

"Of course we offer all kinds of photography," says EVIT Multimedia Technologies instructor, Brian Higgins. "We shoot weddings, events, family portraits, individual portraits, location shooting, product shots, and much more."

EVIT's Multimedia class teaches photography, but takes it to the next level. Students learn how to use photography in graphic design carrying a brand across all media.

The "Eyes" have it at EVIT!

Cosmetology students at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) learned that they could be judged in just three seconds without even opening their mouths! Angela Johnson, guest speaker from the Fashion Institute of Design Merchandising (FIDM), demonstrated the power of non-verbal communication skills.

The animated, informative speaker focused on the importance of facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, body language, proxemics (space), haptics (touch), paralanguage and appearances.

Cosmetology instructor, Pam Devine, said the presentation enhances the curriculum in the areas of employability as well as learning to work with others and other cultures. As Cosmetologists, they will work with all members of the community. Today they learned that their non-verbal communication skills are just as important as their verbal skills.

A "Fresh Start" for women in the East Valley

A new partnership between EVIT and the Fresh Start Women's Foundation was born this week, as the foundation officially opened the doors to its new East Valley headquarters, located on the school's campus.


Fresh Start is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women by offering quality services to women seeking self-improvement. The center offers a variety of programs and services, including self-esteem enhancement, education services, mentoring, career services and family law support services.

Opening an office on EVIT's campus made sense for several reasons. The campus is conveniently located on local bus routes and the light rail, making it easier for women to travel to the office. Also, the school serves as a site for the Maricopa County Head Start Program, an early childhood development program that could potentially be utilized as a daycare option for women who are receiving services from Fresh Start.

Plus, EVIT offers an array of affordable adult education programs, including cosmetology, massage therapy, surgical technology, EMT, welding and aesthetics. These programs can help women jump-start their career in a short amount of time or teach them a skill that will help them earn money as they pursue further higher education.

"This is a wonderful facility," said Dara Gibson, manager of East Valley Fresh Start. "This is a wonderful fit for us."

Fresh Start held a ribbon cutting ceremony, which was featured in the Arizona Republic, on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the new office and the partnership between the non-profit and the career and technical center.

EVIT Superintendent Dr. Sally Downey addresses the group before the ribbon cutting ceremony, saying, "The power in this room will lead to great things."

EVIT alum named Explorer of the Year

Congratulations to Kayla Abramson, EVIT law enforcement's valedictorian of the 2009-10 school year. She was recently honored as the 2010 Explorer of the Year! Here is Kayla with her award and teacher Tony Garcia:


Kayla was recently honored at the Learning for Life/Joe Foss Award Ceremony with the award, which is considered very prestigious in the law enforcement field.

Great job, Kayla!

How 1 EVIT health student found passion, success

We tell students all the time that they can find their passion at EVIT, that they can use the skills they learn here to launch a career or pay their way through higher education as they pursue their dreams.

We know it's true. But sometimes, it helps if they hear it from one of their own -- someone who has been in their shoes, sat in their classroom and has gone on to establish a fulfilling career.

Dr. Neil Roundy came to speak to EVIT health students on Tuesday. Dr. Roundy is a neurosurgeon at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. And just 12 years ago, he was a student in EVIT's health foundations class, figuring out that he had a passion for all things "brain."

"EVIT was an eye-opener and a door-opener for me," Dr. Roundy told the health students. "It was a start to get me where I wanted to be."

Dr. Roundy went on from EVIT to further his medical education at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. But he credits EVIT as being the place where he discovered his passion and began working toward his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon. Health instructor Gale Landau, who still teaches at EVIT, took the time to match him up with the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix so he could sit and watch surgeries as a high school student. That experience is something Dr. Roundy looks back on as being key to peaking his interest and strengthening his passion.

"You are a large step, if not a leap, ahead of other students your age," Dr. Roundy said. "The fact that you have the initiative to step forward and say, 'I'm interested in my future;' that's a huge advantage for you."

Students honored by Rotary clubs, EVIT board

Congratulations to this month's rotary students of the month: Tia Sirrine and Cody Milligan!

The students both were honored at the EVIT governing board meeting on Monday night, although Cody was not able to attend.

Tia, a student in EVIT's Certified Nursing Assistant program, was named the Mesa Rotary Student of the Month. She told board members that she fell in love with the health field after taking a basic anatomy class at her home high school and is excited to pursue her future at EVIT.

"I have a lot of high expectations for myself," Tia told the board. "I will go onto college and into the medical field."

Tia's teacher, Marie Rozell, said Tia has already taken two exams this school year and is excelling in the class.

"I'm very privileged to have her in my classroom," Ms. Rozell said.

Student Tia Sirrine with her parents and teacher Marie Rozell

Interior design teacher Kim Foulger also attended the governing board meeting to brag about her student, Cody, who was named the Mesa East Rotary Student of the Month.

"He's just a really dynamic student," Ms. Foulger said. "He continually shows enthusiasm and has the basic, true talent of a visual designer. He has a contagious and positive attitude that shines in my class."

Congratulations to Tia and Cody!

Getting hooked on HOSA

Today, EVIT health students are learning one sure way they can make new friends, build up their resumes and help others -- by getting involved in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) organization.


HOSA is a student organization that promotes career opportunities in health care to enhance quality health care available to all people. EVIT health students are automatically enrolled as members when they pay their class fees, and they have the opportunity to get involved in the organization through a variety of competitions and community service projects.

The first event coming up is the state competition, known as the Fall Leadership Conference, on Nov. 12 at the Phoenix Convention Center. EVIT students who grab first place in those competitions can go on to compete at the national level in June in Anaheim.

Competition categories include:

• Exams (such as dental spelling or medical terminology).
• Health Professional Events (such as biotechnology, home health aide, physical therapy or medical assisting).
• Emergency Preparedness (such as CPR, first aid or EMT).
• Leadership Events (such as giving speeches, writing competitions or poster competitions).
• Teamwork Events (such as creative problem solving, forensic medicine, biomedical debate, HOSA Bowl, public service announcement or medical reading).

The competitions also feature recognition events, where students can win awards for their volunteerism and for raising money for HOSA's national service project, Juvenile Diabetes research. For more information on the competitions, visit the Arizona HOSA website.

EVIT has been involved with HOSA for several years now, and each year, our students bring home more and more medals! In June, EVIT student Laura Kulas won the school's first ever national gold medal, in the pharmacology competition.

EVIT students have also dominated the state's HOSA Bowl competition for several years and plan to keep that streak going! One of last year's HOSA Bowl teammates, Alex Rist, came back to EVIT today to talk to students about why they should get involved in the competitions. He told students that the hard work pays off when they get to travel to the national competition and have fun while competing and meeting all kinds of new people.

"Everything we did in class applied to our competition," Alex told the students. "And EVIT students are the best, so we have the best shot at winning!"

Sprucing up the everyday T-shirt

EVIT fashion students put on their second fashion show of the school year last week, this time featuring T-shirt Cocktail Dresses!

The students were required to make a cocktail dresses out of an ordinary t-shirt. Here is one of my favorites:


They also were allowed to use materials like lace and tulle to spice things up.


Pretty impressive, right? For more pictures from the morning and afternoon shows, click here.

Any suggestions for what type of garment they should feature in their next show?

The 5th Season opens with a bang

EVIT culinary students opened the doors to their popular restaurant on Thursday for a night of gourmet food and great service.

This is the second year of the restaurant, which will be open to the public on the first Thursday evening of each month throughout the school year.

Students were hard at work with Chef Mike Turcotte before guests arrived, cooking up all kinds of amazing food:

And the dining room was sparkling:


For more pictures from the night, click here.

The restaurant will be open again on these dates: Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 7 and May 5.

For reservations, contact Tricia Guerrero at (480) 461-4139 or tguerrero@evit.com.

Making a move

EVIT's School of Adult Education is on the move -- but it's not going far! Adult programs are heading to the campus next door to EVIT's main campus, taking over a building previous used by the Mesa Public School's East Valley Academy.

EVIT staff worked hard all summer to get the building ready for our adult students, and the classrooms and labs are looking great:


Adults can sign up for all kinds of programs at EVIT, including nursing assistant, surgical technology, EMT, collision repair, HVAC, furniture upholstery, and cosmetology. It's a great way to learn new skills or launch a brand new career!

For more information on the programs offered, call EVIT's School of Adult Education at 480-461-4028.