AUGUSTA — Capital Area Technical Center has announced its May  professionals of the month: Reese Bailey and Travis Harding.

Reese Bailey Submitted photo

Bailey of Pittston, a senior from Gardiner Area High School, has been named for her achievements in the Early Childhood Education program. Her journey in the program began with curiosity and has blossomed into a true passion for working with children, according to a news release from the technical center.

Bailey has thrived in the program, particularly enjoying the team-building activities that have helped her connect with classmates from seven other high schools. She has also appreciated the opportunity to learn effective communication skills with children at the program’s pre-school, My First School.

Her work was recognized when she was selected for induction into CATC’s Chapter of the National Technical Honor Society.

In addition to her academic achievements, Bailey has a background in competitive gymnastics and has transitioned into a coaching role. She is grateful for how the Early Childhood Education program has supported her coaching, helping her develop valuable skills in working with young gymnasts.

Bailey plans to attend Central Maine Community College to continue her studies in early childhood education, furthering her commitment to making a difference in the lives of young children.

Travis Harding Submitted photo

Harding of Augusta, a senior from Cony High School in Augusta, is in his second year of the Auto Tech program. Harding has shown a passion for automotive technology, making his daily school experiences both productive and enjoyable. His enthusiasm for working on cars and gaining hands-on experience with shop machinery has been a significant highlight of his educational journey.

He has particularly enjoyed the opportunity to work on various car brands, enhancing his versatility and understanding of different automotive systems. One of his most valuable learning experiences has been schematics, a skill he believes will be crucial when dealing with car electronic systems in the future.

A major achievement for Harding this year was representing the Capital Area Technical Center at the State of Maine SkillsUSA Auto Tech competition. The competition was challenging, featuring 13 stations that he had to complete within a strict 15-minute limit at each.

For the past 10 months, he has been working at O’Connor Chevrolet, Buick GMC. He plans to continue working there full-time as an auto technician after graduation.

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