CTEC’s first water technology course graduated 30 students, each of whom earned California water treatment and/or conservation certificates. Two students were hired by East Pasadena Water Agency with full benefits, a car and tuition reimbursement if they choose to attend college.

Ariel Bryant, of San Dimas, a student in the CTEC water technology course, secured an internship at the Glendora office of U.S. Rep. David Dreier (R-CA) and is now a freshman at Cal State Fullerton.

Avant-Garde Runway Show

CTEC endeavors to offer courses that include a broad range of business applications and expose students to a variety of careers. CTEC’s spring 2009 term offered a fashion fabric, design and merchandising class that combines concept development, market analysis, fabric testing, merchandise production, event planning, hospitality, construction and marketing that concludes with a runway fashion show in May in the Millard Sheets Center for the Arts at Fairplex.

CTEC Careers

After graduating from Bonita High School, Justin Castruita
acted on a suggestion from teacher George King to enroll in a water technology course offered through the Fairplex Education Foundation’s Career and Technical Education Center. “At first I hesitated a bit. It was six weeks during the summer, everyday for eight hours,” Justin recalled. “But I thought it could be a good experience.”

Now, just 18, Justin has a full-time job at East Pasadena Water Company with a lucrative salary and a company car. He is happy to have spent last summer studying. “I learned a lot in the water technology class. The class taught us what we can do,” Justin said. “Now I make more money than most of my friends! I’m thinking of buying a house.”