Home on the range

Cool things were happening in the construction class on Wednesday afternoon. Students were working on the beginnings of miniature houses:

They were working in small groups to measure, cut, and hammer away:

Keep up the great work!

Campus Director's Message

EVIT Campus Director James Fisher has decided to do regular podcasts for students and parents. To check out his first video message, click here.

Attorney Gen. Terry Goddard visits EVIT

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard stopped by Tuesday morning to chat with students and learn more about EVIT. He and Superintendent Dr. Sally Downey hopped in a golf cart to tour the campus.

Mr. Goddard saw a variety of programs, including several in health:

And he got to see culinary arts students in action, preparing desserts:

Dr. Downey asked students to explain to Mr. Goddard how they feel about EVIT. Here's what they said:

"I can get a job out of this."

"You get to do stuff here that you like."

"It's challenging; it makes you think."

"It's fun."

"EVIT opens doors that I never thought were possible."

Thanks for visiting, Mr. Goddard!

Former EVIT student challenges Iron Chef

Former EVIT culinary student Julie Fiedler (pictured on the right) will be featured on Iron Chef America on Sunday, as part of a team of students challenging Iron Chef Michael Symon.

Tyler Burke, 24, Katelyn Remick, 21, and Julie, 20, are all students of the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Phoenix.

"I've participated in competitions before, but nothing this extraordinary, so I feel extremely grateful for being selected," Julie said.

Julie attended the EVIT culinary program from 2005-2007. Julie's mother, Mary Fiedler, said EVIT helped Julie get a jumpstart on her career.

"She said, 'Mom, I know what I want to be when I grow up,' and boy did she know. She went into culinary at EVIT and loved it," Mary said.

The episode is scheduled to air Sept. 27 on the Food Network.

Students weigh in on EVIT

A group of students met with the EVIT public relations team on Thursday to talk about what brought them to EVIT and what they love about the school. Here they are, playing a candy bar icebreaker game:

The students gave excellent suggestions on how to reach out to other students like them and get the word out about all the great programs we have to offer.

When one student was asked if she loves EVIT, her response was, "If I could take it home with me, I would."

Here are some other things the students were saying about EVIT:

"Seriously, this is way better than high school."

"It doesn't feel like a high school. It feels like a second home. It's just comfortable."

"Everyone seems really respectful (of the school) here."


Thanks for helping us out, guys! We can't wait for our next meeting.

Culinary students lend a hand

Several EVIT culinary students attended Gourmets for Good, a benefit that raised money for the United Food Bank, this past Saturday at the Villa Siena in Gilbert.

EVIT staffer Tricia Guerrero accompanied the students, who helped out at the event as servers and had an opportunity to mingle with chefs from some of the Valley's fine dining establishments.

Welding for a good cause

I popped by the welding classroom to see what they were up to today, and I spotted teacher Pete Acosta working on one of the centerpieces for the EVIT Education Foundation's Annual Gourmet Breakfast Fundraiser.

The welding folks are creating dozens of centerpieces that will be auctioned off to raise money at the breakfast. One student showed me part of a moon centerpiece he has been working on.

The finished product will be stunning.