(WACO) – Students in the Precision Machining Technology program at Texas State Technical College are working with four new Haas Mini Mill machines installed in May.

Third-semester students studying Advanced Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Machining are some of the first using the machines to create such things as small cannons and tape dispensers as class projects. The students use written plans and theories to personalize their own creations, said George Love, an instructor in the Precision Machining Technology program.

The new machines contain robotic components, industrial computers and the ability to connect to smartphones and the Internet. The machines can cut aluminum, brass and steel.

“The first thing to know is how to set the lathe manually before letting the computer do the work,” said Fernando Ortiz, 38, a Precision Machining Technology major from Temple scheduled to graduate in December from TSTC.

Nick Huffman, 18, a Machining certificate student from Houston who is scheduled to graduate in August, said he has noticed that manual machines make deeper cuts than automated mills.

He said knowing how the Mini Mills work could help him in his job search after he graduates.

“I want to stay in the Houston area,” Huffman said. “Machinists are needed everywhere, but definitely in Houston.”

The Precision Machining Technology program already had two larger milling machines that students had to take turns to work on.

“The students, hands-on time has now quadrupled (with the new machines),” Love said.

The machines are worth a total of $90,000 and were made possible with a grant from the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.

“That (recommended purchase) comes from the Precision Machining Technology program’s advisory board,” Love said. “The advisory board wants the students to have more CNC time.”

TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology program in Waco is accredited by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills Inc.

TSTC in Waco will host summer Registration Rally events from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 23, July 14 and Aug. 11. For more information, go to tstc.edu/rally.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

(WACO) – Riley Cauthen, 19, of Benbrook is a Precision Machining Technology major at Texas State Technical College in Waco and is scheduled to graduate in December.

Cauthen, a 2016 graduate of Western Hills High School in Benbrook, was involved in robotics and earned his Eagle rank when he was 17 in the Boy Scouts of America’s Longhorn Council.

What did you do in Boy Scouts? “I started when I was a Tiger scout. I went to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for two weeks one summer. Being in the Boy Scouts was great. I earned about 25 merit badges, including the metalworking badge. I think being in Boy Scouts helped build character and much-needed life skills. I would not be who I am today without it.”

What did you do with robotics in high school? “I was mostly on the fabrication side. There was a size and height limit for the robots. I would drive (the robots) sometimes at competitions, depending on our team’s schedule.”

Did you take dual credit classes in high school? “I took dual credit classes in Tarrant County and had about 18 hours when I came to TSTC. The opportunity was there and I figured I would get some classes out of the way.”

What got you interested in TSTC? “When I was in high school I was always interested in engineering, but on the manufacturing side. My uncle actually went here. He was the one who recommended TSTC to me.”

Were you busy before the summer semester started? “I did an internship at Martin Sprocket & Gear Inc. in Arlington the week after TSTC’s spring semester ended and before summer semester began. They mostly passed me through departments. During my last day, I followed one of our TSTC graduates who is working there. It was pretty educational and was my first experience in a professional manufacturing environment.”

What are your plans right now after graduation? “I would like to end up in the Dallas-Fort Worth or Austin areas.”

Students studying Precision Machining Technology learn to develop programs that control machining or processing of metal or plastic parts by automatic machine tools, equipment or systems. This prepares them for jobs in manufacturing areas such as metalworking machinery, aerospace products, and architectural and structural metals.

TSTC will host Registration Rally events for prospective students interested in taking classes for the fall semester on June 23, July 14 and Aug. 11.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

(WACO) – Area building and construction representatives emphasized Thursday the importance of the work some Texas State Technical College Building Construction Technology students recently completed.

About 30 students were the first in the state to earn certification from the International Code Council (ICC) Training Program using the 2015 International Residential Code. The students took the program’s Building Codes and Inspections course in the spring to work toward the certification. They were honored during a ceremony on campus.

“General contractors and subcontractors are doing a happy dance,” said Bobby Horner, a city of Waco inspection supervisor and 1978 graduate of TSTC in Architectural Drafting and Design Technology. “They are asking where qualified people are.”

There were more than 94,000 construction and building inspectors, with a majority working in municipal governments, as of spring 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Texas had at least 7,440 construction and building inspectors earning an average median wage of $55,550. The Woodlands-Houston-Sugar Land area and the Dallas-Plano-Irving area had some of the highest concentrations of the workers in the state.

Matthew Peeler, 27, a Building Construction Technology major from Belton, is scheduled to graduate in December. He already has his eye on working in the Austin or Temple areas.

“The certification is necessary to make sure you are following the best practices,” Peeler said. “I love building things with my hands. When you build something, you say ‘I made it.’”

The Building Codes and Inspections course has been in the curriculum for the Associate of Applied Science degree in Building Construction Technology – Project Management Inspection Specialization, but the spring semester was the first time students took it with revamped lessons backed by the ICC, said Michael Carrillo, a program instructor. Students gained an understanding of mathematics calculations, vocabulary, geography, flooding, topographical effects and other topics.

“You are starting a trend to put Waco on the map that will spread,” Horner told the honorees. “Keep learning – that will make you that much more marketable.”

TSTC will host Registration Rally events for prospective students to register for the fall. The events will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 23, July 14 and Aug. 11.

For more information on Texas State Technical College and fall registration, go to tstc.edu.

(WACO) – DeMarcus Mason, a spring graduate of La Vega High School, is ready to turn the mixer on high starting this fall.

Mason, 18, plans to study Culinary Arts at Texas State Technical College.

“I love to cook a lot,” he said. “It’s inspiring to show others how to make something beyond noodles in a microwave. My favorite dish to cook is chicken Alfredo casserole.”

Mason and several other La Vega students took part in Prosper Waco’s Project Link, a partnership between the nonprofit organization, TSTC, McLennan Community College, the La Vega Independent School District and the Waco Independent School District to promote a college-going culture among the city’s high school students and their families.

This year’s 198 Project Link seniors at La Vega, University and Waco high schools made up Project Link’s second cohort.

“Ultimately, I feel like the second year was 10 times easier because it was the second year,” said Project Link Coordinator Natalie James of McLennan Community College. “We had a year behind our backs. We were able to look over the summer at what worked and didn’t work and what to do to make the program better for year two.”

More than 40 graduating Project Link seniors plan to attend TSTC this fall. The figure is an increase from the more than 20 students who graduated in 2016 and started at TSTC last fall.

“Some of our students are telling their teachers more about TSTC, so we can tell our Project Link outreach is helping,” TSTC Project Link Outreach Specialist Brandon Chappell said. “We want to encourage more people to visit and tour TSTC.”

Erick Carrillo, 18, a La Vega graduating senior in Project Link, plans to study Electrical Lineworker Technology at TSTC this fall.

“I want to do hands-on work,” he said.

Not all students in Project Link have to go to college in Waco.

Sierra Jackson, 18, a graduating senior from Waco High School, plans to attend Texas Southern University this fall to study psychology.

“Project Link was helpful,” she said. “The program made you care about going to college. Once you get to know Mr. (Cory) Gropp, he will make it easier for you. College was in the plans, but he gave me the push to apply.”

Gropp, the Waco High School Project Link liaison, said more than 50 of his seniors are committed to going to college and one student plans to join the military.

“If you are genuine with the kids, I believe they will do anything for you,” Gropp said.

The Project Link graduates from the three high schools wore black and white cords with their graduation gowns.

Project Link began in fall 2015 at La Vega and University high schools, with Waco High School being added for the 2016-17 academic year. The initiative is supported with a grant from the Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation in Waco. More than 180 seniors were in the first cohort for the 2015-16 academic year.

For more information on Prosper Waco’s Project Link, go to prosperwaco.org/project-link.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College in Waco will have three Registration Rally events this summer at the Student Services Center on Campus Drive.

The activities will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 23, July 14; and Aug. 11.

The events are part of an effort to make the registration process as easy as possible for incoming students planning to take classes in the fall semester.

“The Registration Rally is a great opportunity for students to get all of their paperwork complete in one place before classes begin,” TSTC Provost Adam Hutchison said. “We’re setting aside some of the routine business of the day to concentrate our efforts on helping new students enroll more quickly and easily.”

Visitors can take campus tours and talk to faculty members about the more than 40 technical programs offered at TSTC, including Aircraft Pilot Training Technology, Architectural/Civil Drafting Technology, Database Administration Programming, Robotics Technology and Welding Technology.

People interested in enrolling should bring a copy of their driver’s license, high school transcript or GED, any college transcripts, proof of bacterial meningitis vaccination, housing application and TSI scores.

TSTC is having registration events at its 10 campuses throughout the state this summer. For information on the closest Registration Rally, log on to tstc.edu/rally.

For more information, contact TSTC in Waco at 254-799-3611.

(WACO) – James Lilly will have some financial help pursuing his interest in welding this fall at Texas State Technical College in Waco.

Lilly, a senior at C.H. Yoe High School in Cameron, was one of six recipients of the Heart O’’ Texas Fair and Rodeo and Texas State Technical College Scholarship awarded Wednesday night at the organization’s annual banquet in Woodway.

“It is exciting but a little scary going to college,” said Lilly. “I have friends that have been to TSTC to study welding. I applied first then visited the campus. I thought it was awesome.”

Lilly’s mother, Tamika, is a proud mother.

“It feels great,” she said. “The scholarship is a great starter. We are happy he is going to TSTC.”

Forty students at the event were awarded $134,000 in scholarships from the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo, which is held each fall in Waco.

“It is always an awesome experience in seeing the delight on those kids’ faces,” said Wes Allison, president and chief executive officer of the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo. “None of them know how much they are receiving when they get to the banquet.”

Reid Terry, a senior at Robinson High School, received a $5,000 HOT Fair and Rodeo and TSTC Scholarship. He played baseball, basketball and football at Robinson and was also active in the agriculture program for one year.

He chose to study Industrial Maintenance starting this fall because of his curiosity.

“I just like knowing a lot of things,” Terry said. “I like knowing how things work.”

Other scholarship recipients attending TSTC this fall are Taylor Allen of Midway High School, Ariel Gallegos of La Vega High School, Joseph Hermann of Belton High School and Brendan Tankersley of University High School in Waco. Allen received a $5,000 scholarship and Gallegos, Hermann, Lilly and Tankersley were given $2,500 scholarships.

“TSTC is thrilled to partner with the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo to provide scholarships for these deserving students,” TSTC in Waco Provost Adam Hutchison said. “Their high school accomplishments set them apart from other applicants for the scholarships, and their goals in technical education make them a perfect fit for TSTC. I’m grateful for our wonderful community partners and supporters who make scholarships like these possible. It’s a great investment in our region and our students’ futures.”

The guest speaker was Johnny Quinn, a McKinney resident who was on the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics bobsled team for the United States. He is only the third NFL player to have participated in the Winter Olympics.

Quinn talked about his hurdles pursuing sports, from making his mark on the University of North Texas football and track teams to enduring injuries and cuts from the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers and the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. He said what got him through this period, along with training and competing in the Winter Olympics, was his mind.

“It all begins with how you think,” Quinn said. “There’s a reward at the end that is so much greater than the struggle through the process.”

The HOT Fair and Rodeo scholarships have been awarded since 1991. More than 650 Central Texas students have benefited from the more than $2.5 million that has been awarded.

For more information on the Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo Scholarship, go to hotfair.com.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.