Aviation Career & Technical Education High School

For Erica Rodas the last weeks at Aviation Career & Technical Education High School have been a mix of "last's" and administrative work. Both Sister Circle and Teen Battle Chef had a dinner and lunch respectively, at Print Restaurant and Nanoosh Restaurant.

Both trips were an opportunity for Erica to connect with each group outside of the school setting, and reflect on their time together.

This past season of TBC has been wonderful; whether a testament to the talent of the teen chefs, or to the help Erica had from her two student and one faculty advisors, everything ran very smoothly. Erica was pleased to be able to bring them to Nanoosh, and help them make the connection between eating healthy and feeling good in one’s body. She receives comments from students such as:

"The meal was awesome. Everything tasted great. I started to eat healthy for a few days, and I feel great and more energetic."

"Afterwards I felt more full than after fast food, and more energetic."

"I thought this meal was pretty good, although I'm not so crazy about hummus alone, it tasted good here. I think eating healthy is important cause it keeps us fit and maybe alive longer."

"I believe eating healthy food gives you more nutrients and makes you feel healthier. This food makes you feel good. It gives you energy."

"Eating healthy makes me feel more energized! :) And like a better eater. Knowing that it's organic makes me feel safe."

The Sister Circle dinner was one of the more meaningful memories at Aviation Career & Technical Education High School. They were treated very well at Print, and afterwards, went down by the Hudson River by the Intrepid to take pictures and sit and enjoy the sunset. Sharing with the girls as a group, and closing their two years together was a wonderful memory for Erica. They spoke about the direction they would like to see the Sister Circle go in the following year, as well as some of their favorite activities. Erica also passed back note cards they had written to themselves in the first week of school, outlining goals they had, and this was neat to look through as well.

Erica has also been trying to do wrap-up items such as thank you cards, summer packets for faculty, "Bathroom Breaks," and just being present in her office to chat with both students and faculty when she can. Erica says, "It's incredible to me that this is coming to a close. Last night, AV celebrated its 75th Anniversary at the Cradle Aviation Museum in Long Island, and besides being beautifully done, it was a nice opportunity to connect with the faculty outside of the school setting. Like any school, it has its quirks, but it really is a special spot."