SEA-TECH Students Hit the Books

WALLA WALLA – Eleven students from Dayton, Prescott, and Waitsburg began school a a bit earlier than their counterparts, starting classes at SEA-TECH, which follows the Walla Walla School District schedule, on Wed. Aug. 26. The skills center, which is located on the Walla Walla Community College campus, opened last year and offers courses in Health Science Careers, Digital Media, Manufacturing and Welding Technology and Electrical Systems Technology.

This year, Waitsburg has a total of six students attending SEA-TECH: one in Health Science, two in Manufacturing and Welding, two first-year Digital Media students, and one second-year Digital Media student. Dayton has four students registered for the program: three taking the Manufacturing and Welding Technology Course and one taking Digital Media. Prescott has one student enrolled in the Electrical Systems Technology program.

This summer two SEA-TECH students, Jorge Garcia of Touchet and Trenton Mangarero of Walla Walla, completed successful internships through the YouthWorks program, coordinated by the Blue Mountain Action Council.

Garcia, who had participated in SEA-TECH's sustainable energy program, started a paid internship with Doyle Electric in Walla Walla as an electrician helper following his graduation in June. Garcia will be entering the apprenticeship program, through Doyle Electric, this fall.

Mangarero, who took the Digital Media course at SEA-TECH, was placed as a YouthWorks intern at Walla Walla Web Weavers website design business. Business Nanqi You mentored Mangarero through the summer and offered him a part-time job this fall while he continues his education at Walla Walla Community College.