April 7th 2025
We’re excited to kick off another week of Women & Welding 2025 with a talented group of 12 young women from grades 9-12! The “Girlies” worked hard this session to complete vertical parts to the column and fabing up leaves for the vines! Their project went “vertical this week” so please enjoy the video showcasing the group’s work, and stay tuned for updates next week!
This project would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, who provided the materials to bring this vision to life:
Davey Tree Expert Co. (Joe Collins) – Metal cable for vines
Murphy & Nolan (Tom Ross) – Steel rod
The Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association & Acro Tool & Die (Bob Coyne, Al Caruso) – Sheet metal
LMC Industrial Contractors (Scott Mulvaney) – Steel pipe & flange
April 11th 2025
The Women & Welding 2025 crew kept the momentum going strong this week! Our 12 dedicated students continued cutting and shaping leaves, and took it a step further by welding them into clusters for the vine elements of their sculpture. The vertical rod for the column is now fully wrapped, and things are really starting to take shape!
We also had a special visit from Kevin Murphy and Tom Ross of Murphy & Nolan, one of our incredible sponsors who supplied steel for the project. They toured the shop, met the students, and saw firsthand the impact of their support.
Check out this week’s highlight video to see the “Girlies” in action — we’re so proud of their focus, teamwork, and growing skills. Stay tuned for more progress next week!
-Special thanks to our sponsors for making this all possible:
Davey Tree Expert Co. (Joe Collins) – Metal cable for vines
Murphy & Nolan (Tom Ross) – Steel rod
The Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association & Acro Tool & Die (Bob Coyne, Al Caruso) – Sheet metal
LMC Industrial Contractors (Scott Mulvaney) – Steel pipe & flange
April 28th- May 1st 2025
CTE Construction Students Bring Their Designs to Life with Garden Bed Installation Project
Students in Edison’s CTE Construction & Design Program are putting their skills to the test—and into the community. After weeks of surveying, planning, and building, these talented students are now installing custom-made garden beds as part of a large-scale outdoor construction project.
The installation will take place Monday, April 28 through Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 8:45 AM to 2:00 PM each day. To ensure students don’t miss extended class time, participation will rotate by grade level, with different groups attending each day.
This hands-on project not only gives students real-world experience in surveying, design, carpentry, and teamwork, but also demonstrates their commitment to creating a positive impact in the community. Students are expected to stay on top of their academic responsibilities and will be responsible for completing any missed assignments.
A full schedule with participating students for each day will be shared with staff.
We’re proud of our Construction students for their craftsmanship, dedication, and leadership in seeing this project through from concept to installation!
April College Visits
Opening Doors to the Future: College Visits Organized by Ms. Gartrell
We’d like to give a big shoutout to our incredible College and Career Counselor, Ms. Chennita Gartrell, for her tireless work in helping our scholars explore life beyond high school.
Thanks to Ms. Gartrell’s efforts, dozens of Edison students had the opportunity to participate in college campus visits across the Rochester area, including both two- and four-year institutions. These visits gave students valuable first-hand experiences with campus life, admissions processes, academic programs, and career pathway options.
By organizing these trips, Ms. Gartrell is helping students envision a future full of possibilities—and giving them the tools to make informed decisions about their next steps after graduation.
Her dedication to equity, access, and student success is making a lasting impact on our school community.
Thank you, Ms. Gartrell, for continuing to open doors and broaden horizons for our scholars!
April 9th 2025
From the Classroom to the Courtroom: Scholars Explore Legal Careers with Ms. Gartrell
We’re proud to spotlight Ms. Chennita Gartrell, our College and Career Counselor, for creating powerful real-world learning experiences for our scholars.
Most recently, Ms. Gartrell organized a field trip to the Rochester Appellate Court, giving students a rare and inspiring look inside the justice system. During the visit, scholars observed court proceedings, engaged with legal professionals, and explored a variety of career paths—from attorneys and judges to court officers and legal clerks.
This trip was more than just a visit—it was an opportunity to see professionalism, critical thinking, and advocacy in action. For many of our students, it opened their eyes to careers they hadn’t previously considered, reinforcing the idea that their futures can go in any direction they choose.
Thank you, Ms. Gartrell, for your continued commitment to expanding opportunities and sparking ambition in our students!
April 8th 2025
Real-World Readiness: Ms. Gartrell Connects Scholars to Wegmans Work Scholarship Program
We’re thrilled to share that Ms. Chennita Gartrell, our dedicated College and Career Counselor, has once again opened doors for our students by coordinating access to the Wegmans Work Scholarship Program!
This ongoing partnership gives our scholars the opportunity to gain real-world job experience, build essential professional skills, and connect with one of Rochester’s most respected employers. Through Ms. Gartrell’s leadership, students are supported every step of the way—from application to interview prep—ensuring they are set up for success both in the workplace and beyond.
The Wegmans Work Scholarship Program is more than just a job—it's a stepping stone toward long-term success, financial literacy, and career development. Thanks to Ms. Gartrell’s continued advocacy and commitment, more of our students are getting the chance to shine in professional settings.
Thank you, Ms. Gartrell, for always putting our scholars first and guiding them toward brighter futures!
Thanks to Ms. Gartrell’s coordination and vision, “All Things College & Career Day” continues to be a vital step in preparing our scholars for a successful future.
Let’s make the most of this day—encourage your students to attend, ask questions, and take charge of their next chapter.
Thank you, Ms. Gartrell, for leading the way in helping our scholars turn their dreams into plans!
April 24th 2025
All Things College & Career Day: Empowering Scholars with Post-Secondary Support
We’re proud to announce that Edison will once again host “All Things College & Career Day” on Thursday, April 24th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM—a powerful event made possible through the leadership of Ms. Chennita Gartrell, our College and Career Counselor.
With the generous support of the Rochester Education Foundation (REF) and our committed agency partners, this event is designed to provide hands-on, personalized support to help students confidently plan for life after high school.
Geared primarily toward juniors and seniors—but open to all students—this event offers guidance in areas such as:
College applications and scholarship submissions
Essay writing and financial aid forms
Career and college planning
One-on-one support from college reps, employers, and community organizations