CTE Blog
Welcome to the Gilbert Public Schools CTE Blog! This is a space dedicated to celebrating the incredible work happening across our Career and Technical Education programs. GPS CTE empowers students to explore their passions, develop real-world skills, and prepare for meaningful careers. Through this blog, we highlight the innovation in our classrooms, showcase student achievements, share program updates and events, and recognize the partnerships that help our pathways thrive. Join us as we spotlight the accomplishments, stories, and experiences that make CTE such a powerful part of student success.
CTE Stories
Campo Verde’s FFA Wins People’s Choice at Tempe Blooms Festival
This past weekend, January 23rd-25th, Campo Verde FFA Agriscience and Engineering Program proudly represented Gilbert Public Schools at the Tempe Blooms Festival, a large-scale floral and art event in Downtown Tempe. With more than 90,000 attendees, the event transformed downtown with vibrant floral displays, where Campo Verde FFA’s installation was showcased, placing students' work at the heart of the celebration. Their display, themed “Rooted in Agriculture,” won the People’s Choice Award.
This past weekend, January 23rd-25th, Campo Verde FFA Agriscience and Engineering Program proudly represented Gilbert Public Schools at the Tempe Blooms Festival, a large-scale floral and art event in Downtown Tempe. With more than 90,000 attendees, the event transformed downtown with vibrant floral displays, where Campo Verde FFA’s installation was showcased, placing students' work at the heart of the celebration. Their display, themed “Rooted in Agriculture,” won the People’s Choice Award.
Campo Verde FFA was selected as just one of two high schools invited statewide to compete alongside professional floral designers. Their “Rooted in Agriculture” display highlighted agriculture as a way of life that sustains communities, utilizing earth-toned colors to symbolize soil, resilience, and agricultural heritage. Their design honored the dedication of farmers and ranchers and their connection to land, labor, and livelihood. Entirely student-designed and fabricated, these concepts were brought to life with welding animal forms, fabricating the boot structure, and selecting the color palette, with students leading the creative and technical process from start to finish.
Through public voting, Campo Verde FFA earned the People’s Choice Award, securing $500 for the chapter and highlighting strong community support. FFA Advisor Keili Summey reflected on the experience, saying, “Watching my students come together, work hard, learn new skills, and flex their creative muscles reminded me exactly why I do this. It wouldn't be possible without our amazing assistant Anissa McCleve, who is an incredible resource and always willing to go the extra mile to support our kids and this program. Seeing the public connect with their work and their agricultural roots was incredibly meaningful. This is ‘Learning by Doing’ at its finest.”
Campo Verde FFA’s participation in Tempe Blooms highlights the impact of Agriscience and Engineering as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, where students gain hands-on experience in design, construction, problem-solving, and teamwork while exploring real-world agricultural careers.
Learn more about our CTE Agriscience and Engineering program.
MHS Fabrication and Cabinetmaking Students Toured Concord Contracting, Learning More About Their Future Opportunities
On Friday, November 14, students from Mesquite High School’s Agriscience and Cabinetmaking CTE programs toured Concord Contracting’s corporate office and an active job site. The visit introduced students to the wide range of careers available in the construction industry, including general contracting, project management, administration, accounting, marketing, and safety.
On Friday, November 14, students from Mesquite High School’s Agriscience and Cabinetmaking CTE programs toured Concord Contracting’s corporate office and an active job site. The visit introduced students to the wide range of careers available in the construction industry, including general contracting, project management, administration, accounting, marketing, and safety.
Through CTE, students gain hands-on training, industry-recognized certifications, and opportunities to earn college credit. The tour helped students see how these classroom experiences translate into real-world skills valued by employers. Concord representatives highlighted how each role contributes to a successful construction project, giving students a clearer understanding of potential career paths after high school.
Experiences like this strengthen Mesquite High School’s commitment to preparing students for both immediate entry into the workforce and continued education, while also connecting them to Arizona’s growing construction industry.
HHS Culinary Students Earn Second Place in Statewide AZ Pork Council Contest
Highland High School’s culinary program earned second place in the Arizona Pork Council’s statewide “Taste What Pork Can Do” video contest, standing out among 20 selected culinary programs across Arizona. The contest challenges students to create a 3 to 4-minute video demonstrating pork’s versatility, nutritional benefits, affordability, and use in a wide range of recipes.
Highland High School’s culinary program earned second place in the Arizona Pork Council’s statewide “Taste What Pork Can Do” video contest, standing out among 20 selected culinary programs across Arizona. The contest challenges students to create a 3 to 4-minute video demonstrating pork’s versatility, nutritional benefits, affordability, and use in a wide range of recipes.
As the Runner-Up, Highland High received a prize package valued at $5,000, which includes:
- A classroom set of 30 Arizona Pork Council–branded student aprons
- 15 oven mitts
- 15 digital thermometers
- 15 meat tenderizers
- 15 cutting boards
- 15 meat claws
- 15 professional knife sets
- A grill for classroom use
- A $2,000 Food City/Basha’s gift card to support ongoing culinary instruction
The Runner-Up award also includes a visit from a Celebrity Chef, who will prepare a pork-based meal with up to 30 students—providing a hands-on culinary workshop and professional learning experience.
Highland’s video showcased pork’s adaptability in both everyday and elevated dishes while communicating its nutritional value and cost-effectiveness. Their strong creative approach and clear instructional presentation helped them earn recognition at the state level, reinforcing the real-world skills students develop through the culinary program.
CVHS Biomed Displays Skills at the Project Lead the Way Showcase
At Campo Verde High School, Biomedical Sciences (BioMed) seniors hosted a PLTW Showcase. What started as a teacher’s idea evolved into a fully student-led production, with seniors organizing exhibits, leading demonstrations, and sharing how the program has shaped their future.
At Campo Verde High School, Biomedical Sciences (BioMed) seniors hosted a PLTW Showcase. What started as a teacher’s idea evolved into a fully student-led production, with seniors organizing exhibits, leading demonstrations, and sharing how the program has shaped their future.
These students have spent four years in hands-on BioMed coursework, and by senior year, they tackle capstone research projects that explore real-world medical challenges. Their deeper understanding of complex scientific research and the guidance they receive from industry mentors gives them confidence and clarity as they head toward college.
A student panel provided guests an opportunity to hear directly from seniors about how the BioMed program has influenced their goals. Beyond showcasing their work, the event also served as outreach, encouraging incoming freshmen to join the four-year program, regardless of which career path they ultimately choose.
Campo Verde’s PLTW Showcase is a powerful example of how student leadership, rigorous STEM learning, and career-connected education can come together to build future-ready graduates.
GHS AF JROTC Travels to Colorado: U.S. Air Force Academy Trip
From October 16–19, 2025, cadets from Gilbert High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC unit traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for their annual visit to the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). During the trip, cadets learned about the academy’s admissions process, explored campus life, and toured key areas of the grounds.
From October 16–19, 2025, cadets from Gilbert High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC unit traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for their annual visit to the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). During the trip, cadets learned about the academy’s admissions process, explored campus life, and toured key areas of the grounds.
A highlight of the visit was meeting former AZ-941 cadet and Highland High School graduate Aleena Francis, now a freshman at USAFA. She shared her experiences, offering valuable insight into life as a new cadet and inspiring many of the students on the trip.
Cadets also enjoyed attending both a USAFA hockey game and a football game, both of which were memorable experiences that added excitement to their educational visit. Though the 13-hour bus ride was long, every cadet agreed it was worth the journey. Many are already eager to participate again next year.
This annual AZ-941 tradition continues to give future Air Force leaders a firsthand look at academy opportunities and what it means to serve as a U.S. Air Force Airman.