Flagstaff High School’s
Career Technical Education
Alumni Showcase 24-25
A message from Mr. Safranek, Director of College & Career Development:
Every February, schools, districts, government institutions, politicians, business and industry organizations, and others across our country observe Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. During this time of celebration and advocacy, it is important to shed light on those people and programs that make CTE such a valuable part of Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD), as well as to recognize that our local efforts are only a portion of a vital nationwide educational tapestry dedicated to developing the next generation of highly skilled workers, creators, designers, technologists, healthcare providers, business leaders, educators, and more.
FUSD, in partnership with the Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry, & Technology (CAVIAT) offers 27 industry credential-bearing programs available to high schoolers. Students learn from instructors who are experts in their fields – many with years of direct industry experience-who also incorporate the AZ Professional Skills Standards into their curriculum. FUSD is privileged to have such dedicated professionals leading these programs, and it is a group that includes multiple Coconino County Teacher of the Year winners and candidates.
Career awareness and exploration efforts are being built in FUSD middle and elementary schools as well, in part utilizing the AZ Career Literacy Standards, so that students and families can have an even clearer, more relevant, and informed educational journey from the time they enter 6th grade through high school graduation.
For more information, visit the FUSD College & Career Development webpage, and/or contact the department using the information provided on that web page.
CTE Videos:
Woods Shop Welding Shop Sports Medicine
Photography Graphic Design Fashion Design
Early Childhood Development Culinary Computer Science
Business/Yearbook Autos
Name: Morgan Thomas
Profession: Deputy Public Defender
Culinary Arts
Participating in Culinary Arts during high school had a much larger impact on me than I ever could have anticipated. It was a creative outlet that differed greatly from the typical math and science classes. It allowed me to explore things I had never imagined. It even assisted me in obtaining employment in high school since I already had my Food Handler’s Card. Besides the amazing food we tried, it also taught me several life lessons. It taught me to put pride in my work and that there is always room for improvement. I have carried these lessons into my professional life as I always strive to do better.
After graduating from high school, I attended the University of Nevada – Las Vegas for two years. Then I transferred to Northern Arizona University where I graduated Magna Cum Laude with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. During my undergraduate degree, I worked at various law offices to gain relevant employment experience in criminal and civil law.
I then attended the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, where I received my Juris Doctorate Degree. After passing the Arizona Bar Examination, I obtained my license to practice law in Arizona.
I have now been employed as a Deputy Public Defender at the Coconino County Public Defender’s Office for approximately two and a half years. I represent indigent individuals who have been charged with violations of criminal law within Coconino County. I truly love my job and am passionate about the work I do. This job has allowed me to gain trial experience and assist numerous people throughout the criminal justice system.
Name: Tiffany Lee
Profession: Nurse
Culinary Arts
I am very thankful for my high school CTE experience. The culinary program gave me so many amazing opportunities to learn new skills, travel, compete, and make friends. Some of the skills I learned throughout the program were knife cuts, critical thinking, working efficiently, how to work as a team, creativity, and how to manage time well. I can confidently say that all of these skills I still use in my professional and personal life to this day. Through the program, I was able to get connected with local chefs, and I was hired as a prep-chef for a period of time. I learned a lot during that time and was very thankful for the opportunity. That job helped me see that although I loved aspects of the culinary world, I could not see myself making a long-term career in culinary. That whole experience gave me confidence in the career path I ended up choosing. The one and only Patti Pastor was my teacher for culinary, and I will be forever thankful for being a part of that program and I will always look back on those days with fond memories.
After graduating from high school, I continued on to attend Grand Canyon University and graduated in 2016 with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I passed the NCLEX that year and started working as a Postpartum RN at the Banner Hospitals in Phoenix. I continued on to find a passion in Lactation and passed my board exam to become an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) in 2019. That year my wonderful husband, whom I married in nursing school, and my high school sweetheart, and I had the chance to move back to wonderful Flagstaff. I am currently working as a Lactation Consultant at Flagstaff Medical Center. My husband and I have two wonderful little boys, and I am very thankful to be a mom and have the opportunity to help other moms learn how to feed their precious babies as well.
Name: Lillian Duncan
Profession:Professional Welder
Welding
As a recent Flagstaff High School graduate, I found myself in a position where I could immediately start the process of advancing my welding skills that I learned in the CTE welding program. I had taken a welding class on a limb and quickly realized the joy this career gives me. Even though CTE programs are certainly motivation-driven, in the long run they are incredibly worth it because you could walk out with not only a diploma but also various certifications. I was intrigued by the amount of hands-on work and technical training during the class. Mr. Rust will teach a variety of processes including but not limited to MIG, TIG, Flux, Stick, and OAC. The class seems nerve racking at first, (I mean who REALLY trusts themselves melting metal and working with open flames) but with the support and guidance from Mr. Rust you will gain the skills, confidence and knowledge to pursue a career in the field. Even though the class isn't hard per say, it definitely reflects your drive to grow and expand your knowledge. Throughout high school, some peers told me women couldn’t succeed in the field. Yet, Mr. Rust believed in me.
After graduating in the class of 2024, I decided to make a big change and move to Cheyenne, Wyoming to pursue my professional welding career. At this time, I was lucky enough to find a job that not only works with all the same processes I learned during my time at Flagstaff High School but would help me advance my training and expand my knowledge while working in a shop and doing field work. I would like to mention how appreciative I am of Mr. Rust for giving us students the opportunity to learn and share what he loves for over twenty years. Welding isn’t easy and certainly can be infuriating, but Mr. Rust teaches all the basics and a welcoming introduction to the welding field. I am appreciative of the opportunities offered in high school that helped me get a head start on my career.
Name: Jose Garcia Jr.
Profession: General Manager Planet X Cafe
Culinary Arts
Learning all the skills that I learned in high school in the culinary program really helped shape who I am today. It helped me become a more hardworking, skillful, and respectful alumni and I have Patti Pastor to thank for that. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to have the confidence to run a restaurant.
Since I’ve graduated, I have actually taken a different career path and decided to study Film and Video. I went to the CCC2NAU program, which helped me save thousands of dollars, and graduated with a Bachelor's in Creative Film and Media in 2022. After a year of trying to find a job in the film industry, I thankfully had a backup plan and that was to pursue the Culinary world. I had a few options, which was a high-end restaurant with a Michelin Star or teaching people or even combining my two career paths into one and making a cooking channel. Ultimately, I decided to help my parents' business by allowing them to open another location in Flagstaff and run a restaurant. I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity.
Name: Olivia Schepper
Profession: Student
Culinary Arts
During my CTE experience I not only learned culinary skills but a lot about myself too. I gained a lot of confidence in Patti Pastors class that carried into my management role at Mountain Sports. I learned to communicate effectively and became a mentor to newer students in the class.
After graduating from high school and in the midst of the pandemic, I enrolled at Coconino Community College. Still unsure of what I wanted to do, I decided the community college route was right for me. At the time, I was also working part-time at Mountain Sports Flagstaff. With everything being online due to the pandemic, I was not thriving and succeeding in my classes like I should have been. After doing a year and a semester online and in person at CCC, I decided to step away from my education and pursue a full-time position at Mountain Sports. During this time at Mountain Sports, I became social media manager and was in charge of creating weekly Instagram posts for the Mountain sports page. I also became assistant manager. I have met some amazing people through this job and will forever be grateful for the opportunities it has brought me. After working at Mountain Sports for 3 years and managing for a year and a half, I decided it was time to go back to school! Last fall, I enrolled at the University of Arizona to pursue a degree in Business Management. I am excited to finally be back on track as far as getting my bachelors and excited about what the next couple of years have in store for me.
Name: Joao Arceo
Profession: Cashier/Student
Graphic Design/Screenprinting
I would say my CTE experience was very enjoyable, it was full of fun projects and trips. It opened up a whole new level of skills I never thought I had, especially within graphic design . I gained team building skills and learned to collaborate with my classmates and create a productive learning and working environment. Graphic design is something I get to use frequently as I help my family promote their restaurant business and it allows me to promote my work and expand my skills. While I may not end up becoming a full-time graphic designer and I have other plans for the future, it is still a skill that I value and am glad to have.
I decided on taking a gap year after graduation, so I've just been working and traveling during this year. I plan on returning to school in the 2025 fall semester, hopefully at UC Boulder in Colorado, and I intend to study computer science. However, as of now, I'm currently working at a Safeway as a cashier, and I've just been trying to enjoy my gap year to its fullest extent.
Name: Madeline Schepper
Profession: Teacher
Digital Photography & Culinary
My CTE experience really allowed me to gain useful tools and knowledge that were separate from academics. Going through the entire photography program, going to state competitions, and receiving accolades for my work gave me an option to look aside from the typical workforce that were more academic focused. I always looked forward to my CTE classes. I found that I was using a lot of what I was learning in math and ELA in CTE, and vice versa. CTE also came up outside of school for me, as my parents are both business owners and I got to see first hand the tools and knowledge I was gaining being used to shape their livelihood.
Even though I went into a teaching career, I still use the skills I gained from photography and culinary every day in my life. I find that these programs made me well-rounded and also drove a lot of my passions- I still love to take pictures and cook. With these CTE skills, I can apply them to classroom management and make what I am teaching my students more relatable and applicable to the real world.
After graduating from Flag High in 2015, I continued my education at the University of Arizona. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, where I also received the award for student teacher of the year from the college of education. I was hired immediately upon graduation and taught second grade before looping up with my students to teach third grade at my dream magnet school. In my second year of teaching, I went on to receive my Master of Early Childhood Education at Arizona State University. I was also named novice science teacher of the year in 2021 for the state of Arizona. After wrapping up my masters, I changed schools and now teach 3rd grade math and science. During my 3rd and 4th year of teaching, I helped ASU curate STEM lessons and curriculum for the nation that can now be found on the ASU ASAP webpage. Now, I have my own student teacher from the University of Arizona and continue to be a mentor to other teachers in my district.
I have run Imogene Pass Run in Colorado 4 times and have completed 2 full marathons! I continue to run and fuel myself with a lot of new recipes I like to try. Photography will always be a passion of mine that I get to indulge in when I have the time!
