On March 19, 2026 the Applied Technology Center (ATC) Highschool celebrated the 2nd annual open house, “Pathways to Success.” This opportunity allowed the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways to showcase students' hard work and dedication through Project-Based Learning (PBL). Each pathway offered different projects for the community to explore. 

In the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Pathway, freshman and juniors worked on finding solutions to affordable housing for the Dodger Stadium project. ACE sophomores showed the process of creating different types of boards. Nathan Pedroza shared, “All in all, I chose to present my charcuterie board because of the effort, time, and heart I put into it. I truly take pride in what I have created.” ACE seniors showcased the progress they've made so far on their capstone project.

In the Culinary, Hospitality, Educational Fundamentals (CHEF) Pathway, freshmen researched different types of chefs in the culinary field. CHEF sophomores taught visitors how to manage a restaurant without getting the customer sick through food borne illnesses. CHEF juniors showcased the process of planning a catering event by using the upcoming MUSD science fair on April 23 as an example. Leslye Cabrera commented, “Honestly I’m really excited to show people all the types of work that goes into big events like these and I genuinely think it’s fun to plan everything out but also chaotic at the same time.” CHEF seniors gave guests the opportunity to experience their Bistro 26’ by introducing a new menu and offering small samples to taste. In addition, visitors also received a quick tour of the kitchen while students prepared dishes and demonstrated their culinary skills. 

In the Health Science Pathway, freshmen demonstrated their skills and knowledge on first aid and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) related topics. Health Sciences sophomores collaborated with the Public Health Department to create a presentation on the “Five-Step Test” to show elementary students the significance of wearing a booster seat on the road. According to Chelsey Hernandez, “I feel excited and proud to present this project at open house because it shows the work we did and how we were able to help with an important safety program. It makes me happy to share what we learned and the impact our project had on younger students.” Juniors used the knowledge they learned from Adventist Health White Memorial Family Medicine Residents to create their own public health projects that promoted awareness about a variety of health topics and vital signs to their families. Health seniors showcased different types of yoga exercises and how it can help with decreasing stress.

In the Public and Legal Services (PALS) Pathway, freshmen created their own crime scene shoebox projects reflecting famous cases. PALS sophomores read the, “The Client” by John Grisham which follows 11-year-old Mark Sway becoming the target of both the Mafia and the FBI after a suicidal lawyer reveals the location of a murdered U.S. Senator's body. Using the story, students worked to answer the driving question, “When the truth is dangerous”. Juniors worked on a true crime podcast theorizing possible suspects of who actually committed the murder of Teresa Halbach -- a 25-year-old freelance photographer and entrepreneur from Wisconsin who disappeared on Halloween in 2005. Similar to the freshman, PALS seniors created their own crime scene however instead of building it in a shoebox they built it using props. 

The 2nd Annual ATC Open House reflected the strong work ethic and commitment of its students and staff. Through PBL, students applied classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and built skills that extend beyond high school. ATC continues to create opportunities that turn learning into lasting impact.

  A lot of students and teachers were nervous about our annual choice fair. The choice fair that the Applied Technology Center (ATC) hosts every year allows 8th-grade students to come and explore pathways offered by the Montebello school district. Encouraging them to join one once they begin high school. Student ambassadors, along with their teachers, set up booths to show off what they have done and provide information about their pathways. It's a day that's ultimately a little stressful, but always at the end feels rewarding. 

So what happened this year? At the entrance, The Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) pathway greeted all students with a vortex cannon releasing donut shaped smoke. Furthermore, congratulations to the Culinary, Hospitality, Educational Fundamentals (CHEF) pathway for always having a long line of interest during the choice fair. It shows how students are always trying new food and how cooking in general is a popular interest. Another popular booth would be the Health Sciences pathway, which was showing how to do CPR on a dog. Although an interview conducted by a Blueprint correspondent, Gael Gonzalez, showed that the most popular pathway with the eighth graders was the Public and Legal Services' pathway (PALS). 

Of course, we at the ATC  had our successes this year just like any other year. As the choice fair is always a great way to garner new students for the following year. But, nothing can be perfect. One of the hardest parts of the Choice Fair is working departure and trying to get the eighth graders on their bus. Nobody knows why or how it happened, but two eighth grade  classes, along with their teachers, were left stranded for around 30 minutes to an hour. Their bus just wasn't showing up. Not to mention two students from another middle school did not get on their bus on time and were left behind. The classes that were left behind eventually did go back to their school after their bus arrived very late. And the two students were ultimately taken back to school by their own school staff member in her car.

This year's Choice Fair sure had its ups and downs. But, ultimately everyone survived and everyone went back to their own schools. Hopefully, next year's Choice Fair is just as successful as this year's. Maybe departure can be improved a little, but it's a big event and can be a little stressful for everyone. Good job to everyone that helped out and worked at the choice fair.

In the Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) pathway the juniors are currently working on designing a home out of shipping containers. Many may wonder, why shipping containers? This is because in ACE they decided to focus on small living and sustainability for this project. Since there are millions of shipping containers just sitting unused in the Los Angeles harbor and all over the world. The students started by first modeling the shipping containers in a program called Sketch Up. Sketch Up is a 3D modeling software where students are able to build a 3D model of their home on the computer. After this, the ACE juniors worked in the woodshop making wood models of 3 shipping containers that they could arrange into a livable home. The students were able to select from multiple hard wood types such as dark walnut, common maple, american cherry, white oak and hickory. The ACE kids had the liberty to pick anywhere in the world to build their homes as they had to factor in the elevation of the terrain. Currently, they are drawing the floor plan of their homes. The students have the liberty to place all of their house essentials wherever they would like. Some of these house essentials include living rooms, bed rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and other things one may deem essential. 

As an old school year closes, a new one opens, and with this the beginning of new Pathway Games. For those who aren’t familiar with Pathway Games, Pathway Games are friendly, competitive games between each Pathway that include different challenges for each Pathway to complete, hosted by the Associated Student Body (ASB). These games occur at the end of school semesters, as Pathway Games are an integral part of the entire Pathway point system. They split the games into two different competitions: the physical, actual game competition, and the decoration competition, where each pathway is given a topic to style their respective hubs, as the winner gains points for their pathway. Last year the winner of the games was the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering Pathway (ACE) due to the disqualification of the Public and Legal Services Pathway (PALS), with the Culinary, Hospitality, and Educational Fundamentals Pathway (CHEF) being the winner of the decoration contest. Ethan Solorio, a Health Sciences Pathway representative and the ASB president, says that, “Pathway Games are a way to let the students get competitive spirit and to show support to their pathway."

Due to the games being so competitive no one can really tell who’ll win. That’s why there are some statements from students and representatives. Ethan Solorio, a student from Health Sciences says, “ ACE will win this year in general but I believe Health Sciences will win the Pathway Games.” Jesus Cazares, a student from CHEF states, “ACE will win the games, but I think CHEF will win the decoration competition.” Violet Garcia, a student from PALS thinks, “PALS will win the games, but CHEF will win the decoration competition.”  Alexis Garcia, a student from ACE, believes, “ACE is winning the games, but CHEF will win the decoration contest I guess.” CHEF is the favorite to win the decorating contest, but it seems like most think ACE will win the entire thing. This will certainly be one of the most competitive and exciting Pathway Games.