Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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VOE—Working 9 to 5? VOE is the Vocational Office Education division of vocation. It is for junior and senior students who are interested in the business field and its skills. Students obtain on-the-job training as well as lab experiences. ‘i believe VOE is very useful to students interested. It is helpful to the college bound student as well as non-college bound student,” said Mairim Simon. OEA is the vocational club associated with VOE. Mairim is an Elsik student who is president of this club and very active in it as well as VOE. “I learn useful skills that will be of use to me in college and after college also,” said Mairim. The first phase of VOE is a laboratory course. Juniors and Seniors who arc interested in business and want to prepare for employment in office occupations begin here. They learn the basic operations such as; typing, working with calculators, operating dictating machinesand other office equipment.” VOE utilizes all the basic skills acquired from previous classes such as; Shorthand, Accounting, Typing, etc.,” said Mrs. Thomlinson, VOE teacher. The second phase of VOE allows senior students to attend school half a day and go to work on an actual job location the rest of the day. Students arc employed by approved businesses who pay them a wage and train them in certain areas. “The student has the chance to try an office position that I place them in to sec if they enjoy it. The business that they work at and I help the students with any problems,” said Mrs. Thomlinson. “I believe the class is verv good and worthwhile for students interested in office occupations,” said Mrs. Thomlinson. Students may study such careers as: Bookkeeping, Clerical Occupations, Cashiers, Secretaries, Receptionists, Typists, and other jobs that make VOE an exciting and enjoyable class. VOE 187

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SALE Mairim participates in OEA bake sale. Parents join students at OEA banquet OEA students Dianne HolTpauir, Lisa Patranella, Jelisa Young, and Ellen Bush. OEA students Theresa Smith, Denise Anderson, and Julie Blades support National Secretaries Week. 186 Vocations

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F.Isik OEA competitors Kim Patterson, Denise Anderson, and teacher Mrs. Thomlinson. Elsik in Chicago OEA students go to Nationals OEA and VOE held a nationwide contest in Chicago, Illinois this year. Kim Patterson and Denise Anderson arc two talented Elsik students who were skillful enough to try out in this contest. “I had to first compete in Area Competition in which I placed first out of approx. 50 schools. That led me to State competition in San Antonio. The first and second place winners got to go on to Nationals in Chicago,” said Kim. Kim went to contest for typing. “I placed first in area competition, second in state - as far as Nationals goes, well ... at least I had fun on the trip,” said Kim. Denise Anderson was elected Area President (which is president over 50 high schools surrounding Houston). One of her responsibilities was to attend the State and National contests. “The trip was worthwhile because I was able to see and meet other people involved in programs like VOE and OEA. said Denise. Both students enjoyed the trip and had a vei interesting time. “We had a blast. We all got to s( ‘famous’ places, sites and shops!” said Kim. When asked if they enjoy VOE and OEA, Kii replied, “Yes. It is not only a learning experience bi a challenge. Everything we learn will apply to our jot in the future.” “I wasn’t one to be outgoing. I was always shy, bi VOE changed that. It is an important part of my lif It has helped me develop leadership ability which valuable,” said Denise. Kim and Denise are two talented young student VOE and OEA has helped to change and improv their lives. They are fine examples of Office Educatio and a credit to the Elsik Vocational Program. by Jeff Renge. 188 Vocational