Reporting by OHHS Senior Emelyn Payne. Photography by OHHS Seniors Matthew Selsor and Emelyn Payne

The tour started with some of the business-centered CTE classes, including Accounting I and II, Microsoft IT Academy, and Personal Finance. The instructor, Ms. Underwood, shared that her classes are essentially self-paced, and students work independently to complete required coursework and assignments. Ms. Underwood also spoke with Senator Muzzall about Work Site and Work-Based Learning programs that link CTE classes with work experience in the community. The group then moved to the Video Game Design room, where students’ creativity in game design was discussed.

The tour next stopped at the Culinary room, where students have the option of taking several classes, such as Food for Today. Community engagement through Wildcat Catering was discussed, noting the catering services and support students provide for school events as well as locations throughout the community.

In a different wing of the building, Mr. Reed, the instructor for Sports Medicine classes, discussed the Anatomage table and how the school was able to acquire it through the CTE Enhanced Fund. Later, a Sports Medicine room was toured, where students get hands-on experience in a realistic setting to better understand careers in that field.

While visiting NJROTC, Senator Muzzall was able to observe a competition setting for CyberPatriot and discussed the program with students. The senator related the work they were doing to jobs he sees in his role as a state senator. Additionally, he saw students practicing for their upcoming inspection. Chief Thiel and Commander Hall discussed both their own and their students’ commitment to the program, including early mornings and weekend practices, and how much the program has grown. They highlighted that roughly 120 students participate in one or more specialized teams ranging from Marksmanship and Armed Drill Team to CyberPatriot and more.

Next, Senator Muzzall had a discussion with senior Cohen Esvelt about his involvement and experience with DECA. Cohen guided him through the basics of DECA, including how students run a store during both lunch periods and examples of their work. The importance of counting tills correctly, storing items at proper temperatures, and following rules and guidelines was emphasized. Cohen also shared his experiences at DECA competitions and the many opportunities available to learn about careers related to DECA through organizations such as the Seattle Sounders, Mariners, and more.

Before heading to the final classrooms, Senator Muzzall had the chance to briefly interrupt a Leadership class to share advice and ideas about leadership and its importance. One key aspect of that class, especially at the beginning of the trimester, is for students to learn one another’s names and something about each other. Senator Muzzall discussed how this concept is also relevant in his work and shared his belief that “you will never find someone you don’t have a commonality with.”

The final area on the tour was C-Wing, which houses most of the CTE classes. Senator Muzzall began in Mr. Whiteman’s room, where students can take welding and engineering classes. Senior Grant Nienhuis pointed out the 3D printers in the room and some of the projects students create with them. The group then visited Robotics and learned about the work students do and how, in the near future, hallways will be filled with students practicing with robots and drones. In the Auto Shop, class began with a discussion of safety rules and focused on hands-on experience working with automobiles and tools on projects such as replacing a transmission. Next, the tour stopped at the Wood Tech classroom, where the instructor, Mr. deLeuze, detailed the various classes students can take and showcased final projects such as cabinets, step stools, and three-string instruments.

Finally, Senator Muzzall visited the Filmmaking/Wildcat Media and graphic arts classes, including Photography, Graphic Design, and Yearbook. He observed the recording of the daily Wildcat Announcements and saw how many students are involved in that process. He even joined as a special guest to record the daily joke of the day. Senator Muzzall also visited the Yearbook room, where students were proofreading pages, planning event coverage, and working on designs. Senior Matt Selsor shared his personal experiences from Ms. Jansen’s classes. The Yearbook program is almost entirely student-led by a leadership team, helping students learn essential skills, while Ms. Jansen remains available to provide guidance and support.

Instructors shared specific and unique aspects of the CTE classes available to students with Senator Muzzall. For example, Dual Credit allows students to earn credit for certain classes, such as English or Art, while also learning additional career-related skills. They also highlighted that Oak Harbor High School’s CTE program has established a Skills Center on campus, allowing students to access a wide range of educational opportunities without leaving the school.

At the conclusion of the tour, Senator Muzzall met with representatives from SkillsUSA, FBLA, DECA, and Leadership. FBLA President, senior Katie Sheppard, shared her experiences competing at Nationals. SkillsUSA President, senior Grant Nienhuis, discussed his competition experiences and projects from his first two years. DECA President, senior Reese Wasinger, explained student responsibilities within DECA, marketing skills learned, and what competitions involve. Leadership representative, senior Xavier Reid, spoke about his experiences in Leadership and ASB, highlighting the work involved in supporting the OHHS student body. Following introductions, Senator Muzzall and the student representatives engaged in an open discussion and question-and-answer session about CTE and its programs.

The state senator shared his personal journey from a “farm kid” to a corporate board member and legislator, emphasizing the value of diverse educational experiences. He expressed strong support for trade programs and CTE, encouraging students to explore a wide range of electives to discover their strengths and passions. Drawing from his time on the board of Land O’Lakes and his service in the fire department, he noted that success often stems from practical, real-world experience rather than theory alone. He encouraged students to develop “soft skills” such as networking, storytelling, and finding common ground, emphasizing that effective self-marketing is about building trust and being remembered for authenticity.

He urged students to distinguish between arrogance, which is built in the head, and confidence, which is built in the soul, reminding them that minds are changed through compelling stories rather than arguments. He defined leadership as “doing the right thing even when nobody is watching,” cautioning against small ethical compromises. He also offered candid advice on public speaking and confidence, acknowledging that even experienced leaders encounter “imposter syndrome.”

Thank you to Senator Muzzall for visiting the OHHS CTE program and for showing his support for the importance of CTE and its students.