Parents of alums donate to Collinsville Area Vocational Center

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Collinsville Area Vocational Center (CAVC) has received a substantial donation from long-time Collinsville residents Doug and Marilyn Huber to endow vocational scholarships. The announcement was one piece of news highlighted during February’s 2022 Career and Technical Education Month.
“The Huber family was looking to be philanthropic and help improve the community where they raised their family,” said CAVC Director Joe McGinnis. “They designated their gift to be split equally between the Kahoks Teaching Kahoks future teachers program and post-secondary scholarships for vocational students.”
For the 2022-23 school year, he said the school district will launch the Kahoks Teaching Kahoks initiative to instruct and recruit future K-12 educators.
“This will be done through two new courses: teaching as a profession and a second-year education field experience course. We hope to add additional new course offerings over the next three years. A dental assistant and agriculture programs are two under consideration,” he said.
Marilyn worked as a school psychologist in Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 for 17 years before retiring. Their children, Aaron and Patrick, graduated in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Doug’s father was the Superintendent of Schools in Westville, which added to their family’s desire to support education. Their passion for the Collinsville community, and new scholarship initiatives launched by CUSD 10 and CAVC, provided the catalyst for their philanthropy.
“I grew up in Collinsville and it’s where we raised our family,” said Marilyn. “Collinsville has such dedicated teachers and staff. We are impressed with the innovative approach the district has taken to grow future teachers through the Kahoks Teaching Kahoks program. And, as a former school psychologist, I know students have different talents and many thrive in the ‘hands-on’ environment offered by Career and Technical Education. Access to both of these opportunities is important.”
“Our contribution to these scholarship programs will help make it possible for high school graduates to continue their education and move toward careers. A simple act by our family will make a difference to students who are trying to pay for college or technical training,” she said.
“Mr. and Mrs. Huber’s passion to make a difference, and their love for the district, are evident in their generous contribution that will benefit our high school students for years to come and expand our workforce in both education and the trades,” said Collinsville Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich. “They embody one of our communities’ strongest qualities: a constant dedication to our students.”
The Huber gift is among several scholarship funds supported through the newly organized Collinsville Area Community Foundation, however, they chose not to make the amount of their gift public. For more information on supporting scholarships for Collinsville CUSD 10 and CAVC students, visit the Collinsville Area Community Foundation website. Donations through CACF are tax deductible. The program was established in 1971.
Tangible evidence of the program is available to view at 310 S. Seminary St. A new, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a two-car garage stands on the lot, which the students started working on in December 2019 and finished a couple of weeks ago, McGinnis said as he showed it to a reporter Thursday. As with everything else, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the home’s construction, which normally takes 12 to 14 months. The home will soon be for sale.
McGinnis showed a reporter the next homesite, which broke ground two weeks ago. When it’s done, it’ll carry the address of 500 Howard Street. The foundation has already been poured. McGinnis said this home will represent a testbed of sorts for the students and the program’s future as it will carry higher-end finishes and nine-foot ceilings and basement walls. After the Howard Street house is complete, he said the students will next build homes in the Tanglewood Subdivision, where such features are expected.

Doug and Marilyn Huber visit the Collinsville Area Vocational Center (CAVC) to get a more hands-on look at what the students do.
Collinsville School District
The kitchen offers many modern conveniences.
Charles Bolinger
The master bath.
Charles Bolinger
A fully-finished basement also offers space for another bedroom.
Charles Bolinger
The back deck runs the width of the home.
Charles Bolinger
The front of the new student-built home on South Seminary Street.
Charles BolingerThe Collinsville Area Vocational Center is a two-year, public vocational training center for high school juniors and seniors. Housed on the campus of Collinsville High School in Southwestern Illinois, CAVC is a cooperative program that also includes students from Civic Memorial High School, Dupo High School, East Alton-Wood River High School, Edwardsville High School, Highland High School, Lebanon High School, Mascoutah High School and Triad High School.
Collinsville Area Vocational Center currently boasts its highest enrollment in a decade as more students and families see Career and Technical Education as a practical path to the workforce.
“We are preparing students for careers through a wide variety of programs. From long-established classes for the trades like welding and automotive mechanics to courses in fields like education and cybersecurity, CAVC has diverse offerings that appeal to a broad range of students,” said McGinnis.
McGinnis says other local schools are considering becoming part of CAVC.
“Taking a course at the CAVC is the safest, most affordable way to learn about a future career,” he said. “Students can see if a field appeals to them and use vocational classes, which offer things like dual credit and professional certifications, as a springboard to the workforce and post-high school education.”
McGinnis says course popularity varies from year to year. Currently, auto mechanics, criminal justice and welding top students’ lists. Today, many CAVC classes are at capacity and have a waitlist. Program admittance is very competitive. Students are ranked based on academic performance, attendance and discipline during their early high school years to be accepted into vocational courses which are offered to juniors and seniors.
Current CAVC programs are auto body repair, automotive mechanics, building trades, clinical health occupations, cosmetology, criminal justice, cybersecurity, early childhood education, electronics, engineering, food service, K-12 teacher prep, precision machining and welding.
In March, CAVC will launch an updated career exploration project to make young students and their families more aware of CTE programs and career paths. The plan includes digital curriculum and a mobile career exploration trailer that will be brought to schools serving students in K-8 grades.
“One of the long-term goals of CUSD #10 and CAVC is to increase career awareness and opportunities for students at all grade levels within the district,” said McGinnis. “We have re-imagined and are rolling out new ways to increase career exposure to students in the lower grade levels. This will include a digital career curriculum for elementary students and a mobile career exploration trailer that will have 3-D printers and LEGO STEM kits that classroom teachers can reserve. As we roll out this initiative, we will also be looking to add additional equipment and tooling to further expand opportunities for district students.”
To learn more about CAVC, contact McGinnis at jm******@cu**.org or 618-343-6141.
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