Carbon Career and Technical Institute (CCTI) opened its doors Tuesday night for the Unlock Your Dreams Expo. The expo featured an open house, trade show, and art show. Guests of the expo also got to experience the new renovations and additions to the building.

The open house was designed to give the parents of eighth- and ninth-grade students and the students themselves the chance to see what CCTI is all about. Students of CCTI gave tours of the building, leading guests to the different trade labs. The instructors of each trade were available at the labs to answer questions, perform demonstrations, and give out brochures about the trade.Welding instructor, Doug Del Conte stated, "Many people don't know about our programs. This open house gives the public the chance to learn about how students can train for the industry."In the cafeteria, academic teachers displayed posters about the basic academic classes that are offered such as math, history, science, and English. Also in the cafeteria, Stephanie Barto, the marketing instructor, and her marketing students displayed information about nonprofit organizations. The students picked nonprofit organizations to market to the guests and raise money for."This project is to test how well the students interact to promote their organization and showcase their skills they learn in class," said Barto. Some of the organizations being marketed included Post Secret, To Write Love on Her Arms, March of Dimes, Autism Speaks and Make-A-Wish. The money raised by the students will be sent to the organizations.The students in graphic design hosted an art show. Many digital media pieces and some ink pieces were showcased. The art pieces were for sale for anyone to purchase. Michele Klock, graphic design instructor, said that many of the pieces had been sold."The art show is a fundraiser for the graphic design students to go on a trip to New York," said Klock.The graphic design students created the logo for this year's expo.Michele Dominic, the health and medical assistant instructor, and some of her students were available in the nursing lab to give demonstrations. The medical assistant lab is equipped with a lifelike mannequin that is hooked up to a computer and can replicate sounds, heartbeat, and even a pulse. The students demonstrated how to listen to a heartbeat with a stethoscope.Mike Lewis, integrated information systems technology instructor and Joe Farkas, electronics instructor, discussed these programs in the new electronics and IIST lab. Guests were able to see what new equipment is being used in the newly-renovated sections of the school. This lab is equipped with new iBUYPOWER computers.The culinary arts students worked in the kitchen making desserts such as cookies, cakes, and chocolate covered strawberries. The restaurant seating was open for guests to sit and enjoy the dessert.Other trade shops such as cosmetology, HVAC and automotive had students working on projects and showcasing their work to demonstrate that trade.About a dozen union affiliates provided presentations on apprenticeships and the opportunities they offer. Some of the trades these affiliates represented are: HVAC, electricians, and insulators.With all the student tour guides and students demonstrating the trades, there were approximately 40 or 50 students that volunteered to help with the expo."The students did a great job," said administrative director Dave Reinbold. "There were a lot of volunteers that worked to run this expo."The expo was very successful," he added. "We had a lot of interested parents and students. We had an excellent turnout. This was a great chance for parents and students to find out what CCTI is all about."