Learning straight from the industry

Randy Baker's automotive technologies students got a crash course in air conditioning repairs during class today.

John Brunner, who is on the advisory council for EVIT's auto program, travels the country teaching various groups about air conditioning repairs. He met with the EVIT students for about two hours and demonstrated different techniques.

"He's very knowledgeable, coming straight from industry," Mr. Baker said. "It's nice to be able to have that exposure to industry for the students."

And besides, Mr. Baker said, sometimes the students just get sick of listening to him talk and are happy to learn from someone new!

Support your school!

EVIT could win a whopping $500,000 -- and all you have to do is vote!

Kohl's is holding a "Kohl's Cares" contest, giving away a total of $10 million to schools with the most votes. Each person gets a total of 20 votes, and you can use up to five of those votes per school.

Just click here to vote. It only takes a minute, and you can even submit suggestions on how EVIT should spend the money if we win. Some suggestions so far include sending more students to national competitions, conducting more community service projects and buying more books and supplies.

Each vote counts, and the contest ends Friday, Sept. 3, so hurry up and vote today!

EVIT Students have great incentive for Perfect Attendance

EVIT students will "kick off" the 2010/2011 Perfect Attendance competition on Monday August 30th with the opportunity of winning two cars!

EVIT industry partner Thorobred Chevrolet is promoting the importance of "being on the job every day" by donating a car as incentive. EVIT students who have perfect attendance at the end of the school year will be in a drawing for the car, which will be newly painted and thoroughly inspected by EVIT's Collision Repair and Automotive Technologies classes. This is the fifth year an industry partner has sponsored the competition that is won by a student if their key starts the car.

But, wait! There's more! Thorobred Chevrolet Service Manager, Steve Marley, added another car to the competition by supporting the "Chevy Drive for Perfection" Program sponsored by General Motors. Senior students at EVIT can also qualify to compete for a brand new 2011 Chevy Cruze!

Perfect Attendance never looked so good!

The menu is set! Make your reservation today!

Don't forget to make your reservation for the student-run 5th Season Restaurant, which is celebrating its grand re-opening next week!

EVIT culinary students are preparing to "wow" the community when they re-open their restaurant for the first time this school year from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2. The gourmet restaurant will be open on the first Thursday of each month.

And now ... the most important part: the menu!

Appetizers
*Chilled artichoke & lobster salad, papaya remoulade
*Red chili & soy marinated tofu, ratatouille, pita crisp
*Barbequed goose taco, smoked gouda, pear slaw
*Sauteed foie gras, fig & red onion compote, blue cheese cracker

Entrees
*Grilled arctic char, sea scallops, saffron broth, cranberry quinoa, haricot verts
*Applewood smoked snake river farms kurobuta pork chop, red currant glaze, roasted fingerling potatoes, brussel sprouts
*Summer vegetable strudel, curried pineapple sauce
*Butter poached beef tenderloin, wild mushroom polenta, asparagus tips

Desserts
*Popcorn panna cotta, milk chocolate gelee, caramel crunch, peanut streussel
*Coconut mascarpone strawberry trifle
*Chocolate ganache tart, raspberry sorbet
*Fresh berries, creme fraiche brulee

The menu changes each month, so check back here to find out what they'll be whipping up next month.

The cost is $40 per person. Reservations are required, and the spots are filling up fast, so get your name in today! Contact Tricia Guerrero at 480-461-4139 or tguerrero@evit.com for reservations.

Parents celebrate Back to School Night

Hundreds of parents and students braved the monsoon Tuesday night to see all the exciting things going on in classes at EVIT.

The annual back to school night was designed for parents to meet the teachers and principal and check out their student's classroom. Principal James Fisher was on hand to greet parents and direct them to their classrooms.

EVIT students were proud to show off their newly learned skills in the latest technology.

Watch for Tech Fest on Saturday, January 29th when students and their industry partners will showcase the latest and greatest in their field.

Culinary's version of orientation

First-year culinary students got a little taste last week of what they'll be learning this school year.

Second-year and former EVIT culinary students, along with a handful of well-known Valley chefs, held a Student Dinner last Monday. The chefs cooked the feast ...


... and second-year students served it up.


The dinner was a culinary-style orientation for the newbies to get a feel for all they'll be learning.

Becoming Cadets and Connectors

Two representatives from the Mesa Fire Department visited EVIT's fire fighting classes on Monday to talk about two great opportunities for students.


Students age 15 to 20 can apply to the department's Cadet Program. The department is accepting 24 new cadets who will meet once a month to learn a variety of fire fighting skills, including water rescue, repelling and CPR.

"You're going to gain a lot of experience," speaker Warren Sprecher told the EVIT students. "Being a cadet, we're going to mentor you to give you that skill set."

Students can attend one of two upcoming orientation meetings for the Cadet Program. The first is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 1. The second is from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sept. 11. Both orientation sessions are being held at the fire department's Volunteer Center at 2830 E. Adobe, behind Station 206. Students can submit their applications for the program at these meetings.

Students who are 18 years old have an additional opportunity to join the department's Connector Program. Connectors are a huge asset to the Mesa Fire Department, and they are essentially as close as a person can get to being a Mesa firefighter without actually being one.. They assist with the department's customer service role, aiding victims however they can by connecting them to various resources. Connectors might drive accident victims home from a crash, deliver water to working firefighters, or help look for lost persons.