Mid-East graphic arts program hosts Byesville Rotary

Pictured: McKenzie Decker, Graphic Arts student, and Owen Williams, Graphic Arts instructor, examining student accomplishments recorded on “Badges Earned” records.

Byesville Rotarians met at Mid-East Career and Technical Center Buffalo to see what is new in the Graphic Arts Program. Owen Williams, Graphic Arts instructor, and McKenzie Decker, student, spoke to the club.

Williams pointed out the “Career Tree’ poster prominently displayed in the classroom. Graphic Arts is more than just painting and sketching. Wilson indicated that the tree graphically points out the different types of careers a student can aspire to with an educational background in graphic arts. Additionally, the tree also indicates the educational level needed for each career.

Club members noted that students graduating from the graphic arts program offered by Mid-East can lead to jobs immediately after graduation. However, if a student wants to continue his or her education in graphic arts, the program at Mid-East is and essential first step.

Williams and Decker pointed out the student badges earned records that hung around room. Each badge recognizes a student’s accomplishments. Some badges indicate that a student has mastered a particular skill or a specific graphic arts tool or piece of equipment. Students who earn all badges available from the Graphic Arts program, will be certified in graphic arts for 3 years. Additional badges recognize awards earned outside the Graphic Arts requirements such as earning a spot on the Dean’s list or providing customer service.

Products and designs produced by Graphic Arts students can be purchased by local businesses or community members. Not only do the students produce the products, they also operate the “business” and are responsible for customer service and insuring their customers are satisfied. Williams recommends that people interested in employing Graphic Arts call Mid-East Buffalo in the afternoon. Williams reported that in 2017-18, the Graphic Arts students dealt with 40-50 work orders.

Decker and Williams exhibited many of the items produced at the school. Products include a Mid-East coloring book, several children’s books written and illustrated by students, calendars, and logos unique and distinctive logos designed for local programs and businesses.

The program has added a laser engraver to the equipment the students learn to use. This piece of equipment can engrave almost anything. Including wood, plastic and glass, One of the Rotary members would like to have the students try engraving on ceramics. Students have produced engraved wooden tickets that serve as both tickets and souvenirs of an event, coasters, and wooden boxes. Williams display a chunk of stone that has been engraved.

During a short business meeting, Melinda Yerian and Jim Vaughan, co-chairs of “Breakfast with Santa,” the club’s next public event reported on progress planning the breakfast. They asked that club members bring candy canes to the next meeting so that Santa will have a treat to give to the kids. The time for the breakfast start has been changed. Breakfast will be served at the Stop Nine Senior Center on Saturday, December 8, starting at 8:30 and ending at 11:00am.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690