The East Valley Institute of Technology celebrated the accomplishments of about 1,700 students this week who completed their career training in health sciences, industrial trades, cosmetology and many more skilled career fields. These graduates will now go on to the workforce, college or other post-secondary training, and the military.
In two ceremonies at Chicago Cubs Sloan Park stadium on May 17 and May 18, EVIT Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson thanked EVIT teachers and staff who returned to campus last August so students would be able to continue their career and technical education, most of which requires hands-on, in-person training. With strict safety protocols in place, EVIT avoided COVID-19 outbreaks and remained open all year.
“You did what other educators across the nation could not or would not do,” Dr. Wilson said as the crowd of approximately 8,000 cheered.
The completion ceremonies also provided the opportunity to honor EVIT’s outstanding students. Zeina Moumneh, a SanTan Charter School senior in the Medical Assistant program, was named Student of the Year for the Power Campus. Kylie HuntsInWinter, an Arizona Connections Academy senior in the Criminal Justice program, was named Student of the Year for the Main Campus.
Moumneh was selected to one of the Medical Assistant program’s top extern sites, and is a member of National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars. She is also salutatorian of her graduating class and has completed 130 hours of volunteer work at Banner Gateway Medical Center. She will attend Chandler-Gilbert Community College on a Presidential Scholarship next year.
HuntsInWinter has been a straight A student at EVIT and served as captain of the second-year Criminal Justice class. As a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, she also has become an advocate for the Standing Rock Sioux people and for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and the rights of Indigenous People. HuntsInWinter is a national and world martial arts champion with an Instagram page with 50,000 followers in honor of her culture and to support women and girls in martial arts globally. She has been accepted to Harvard University where she plans to study political science and government and continue her advocacy work.
Each Student of the Year also won a car donated to EVIT and maintenanced and detailed by students in the Automotive and Diesel technologies programs.
Other students earning special awards:
“Extra Effort” Awards – Jeremiah Walker, home-schooled senior in the Aviation program at the Power Campus, and Moroni Vera-Alvarado, Skyline High School senior in the Medical Assistant program at the Main Campus.
“On the Road to Success” Awards – Makenna Trapani, Highland High School senior in the Veterinary Assistant program at the Power Campus, and Kiara Nixon, Highland High School senior in the Early Childhood Education program at the Main Campus.
“Community Service” Award – Madison Thompson, American Leadership Academy Queen Creek senior in the Nursing Assistant program at the Power Campus, and Annastasia “Annie” Oswald, EduPrize Charter School senior in the Radio/Audio Production program at the Main Campus.
“Mesa Post 26 Americanism” Award – Bryan Perez, Red Mountain High School senior in the Criminal Justice program at the Main Campus.
During the Main Campus ceremony, Emergency Medical Technician instructor Traci Plough was honored by her colleagues and students for her dedication as a teacher, mentor and friend. Plough has continued to teach the EMT program despite undergoing treatment for cancer.
KTAR Radio host Mike Broomhead was the featured guest speaker for both ceremonies.
Recordings of the ceremonies for the Power/Apache Junction campuses and the Main/Fountain Hills campuses, ceremony programs and list of completers are available at www.evit.com/completion.
EVIT students have a 98% high school graduation rate, two out of three go on to college, and approximately 94 percent are in jobs related to their training, college or the military within a year of completing their programs.
EVIT is enrolling for the 2021-22 school year. To enroll: www.evit.com/enroll