Moore Norman Technology Center

by Anna Trowbridge, APR

(NORMAN, Okla.) Jan. 16, 2012 -- The Norman Kiwanis Club recognized one adult and one high school student this week as January Students of the Month. Selected students are enrolled at Moore Norman Technology Center and represent full-time career courses in the Engineering and Technical and Health learning areas.

Aleena Morgan is a Moore High school senior and is a second-year student at MNTC. She took the Nurse Aide course as a junior and is in the Pre-Nursing course this year. She is an active member of the Health Occupations Students of America and serves as the treasurer for her class’s HOSA chapter. She is also active in helping raise funds for Allie’s House, a non-profit organization that helps ill children and their families.

Between last year and this, Morgan has earned certifications in:  Certified Nurse Aide, Home Health Aide and Medication Administration Technician. This year she looks to earn the Advanced Unlicensed Assistant certification.

“Getting into these classes is exactly what I wanted and I knew that the sooner I earned some of these certifications the sooner I can start my career; I feel that I’m accomplishing what I’ve wanted to, just really early,” said Morgan.

She said performing at clinical sites at the Norman Veterans Center, Integris Southwest Medical Center and the Arbor House Assisted Living Center has opened her eyes to the reality of her chosen career path.

“I was there when a patient at one of my first clinical sites passed away. It was a huge thing for me to experience, but I also knew that I was in the right place, being a part of something bigger,” said Morgan.

She plans to begin college in August and has earned a scholarship to the University of Central Oklahoma. She hopes to become a registered nurse and wants to specialize in pediatrics or prosthetics.

Pre-Nursing Instructor Debbie Magill said, “Aleena is extremely positive and is careful with her words; she is mature beyond her years.”

Adult student Nathan Deal is in MNTC’s Carpentry class on a CareerTech Scholarship. He is working toward the Lead Carpenter certification, is an active member of SkillsUSA and recently competed in the SkillsUSA regional competition for cabinet making. He is also the class secretary for his SkillsUSA chapter.

Deal attended OSU-OKC and Oklahoma City Community College and earned an associate degree in science and is now thinking of attaining an associate of applied science from Rose State College.

He completed MNTC’s Auto Collision class in 2007-08 while still in high school. It has worked well preparing him for his hobby of restoring old cars. He’s working on a ’57 Chevy Bel Air right now.

He plans to use his talents and skills in the Peace Corps, or possibly with Catholic Relief in rebuilding communities devastated by natural disasters or conflict.

“I enjoy attending MNTC; there are so many things to learn that can get anyone started in a career. The education options here are affordable and I’m glad I chose MNTC,” Deal said. Then he added, “I have a learning style that requires hands-on and MNTC accommodates this; they’re great at meeting the different learning styles of students and helping each of us become successful.”

Carpentry Instructor Terry Williamson said, “Nathan has a natural ability when it comes to construction and he picks up on news skills and techniques with ease. Nathan has completed an entire set of cabinets this year including doing the drawings, materials list, cut list and assembly. He shows amazing aptitude for the trade and enjoys the work.”

For information about MNTC’s full-time career courses or part-time classes visit www.mntechnology.com or call 364-5763.

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