LEONARD GRAY

RESERVE – More than 120 sophomores from Destrehan High School toured the Louisiana Technical College, River Parishes Campus, Thursday. The group heard director Dennis Murphy explain to the students: “There are two reasons you’re going to school. One, to be a good citizen. Two, to prepare for a career.” He also reminded them they could graduate from high school and get a guaranteed minimum-wage of $5.15 per hour – or they could begin thinking of better things, with training and education. With that, the group was split into nine tours, each led by a current student at the campus. One group, led by Hahnville High junior Misty Overby, started at the nursing and medical assistant program where she is a student. From there, the group moved along through automotive mechanics, where instructor Ronnie O’quinn told the impressed group he knows of automotive technicians making $80,000 a year after only 10 years of working. In the process technology section Danielle Cortez explained the classroom instruction techniques used to help students get operator jobs at the area’s petrochemical plants. She also reminded them to stick with their chemistry, physics and algebra and said jobs paying up to $25 per hour were coming open during the next five to 10 years as retirees increase in number. The group reviewed instrumentation and then industrial maintenance, where Shelly Guillory commented, “I would recommend this school to anyone,” after explaining she begins a part-time job at Cospolich Industries that afternoon. In welding, student Roy Ray made eyes pop when he commented, “I, myself, caught on fire numerous times.” However, it was the idea of good pay for good training and a willingness to work which impressed the Destrehan High students. “It really is all up to you,” observed Jean-Jacques Arditi of the drafting and design class. Other areas of the campus tour included air conditioning and refrigeration and office occupations. Murphy said a group from East St. John and West St. John high schools will tour on March 5, 7 and 9, averaging 200 sophomores and juniors each day.