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Following in Another’s Steps it’s Just a Family Tradition
Story by Virginia Thomas
Southwest Technology Center
For two students Southwest Technology Center is more than a school. It is a family tradition.
Jesse Baker, a first year electronics high school student, and Mary Langdon, adult aviation and aerospace technology center student, are not the first members of their families to take advantage of the training opportunities at Southwest Technology.
Jesse Baker |
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In fact, Jesse is the youngest of three brothers to attend. His older brothers Joe and Jacob Castilloe are both graduates of the simulator maintenance technology program which Jesse plans to enter once he completes the electronics pre-requisite.
Both older brothers served as president of the Skills USA, the simulator maintenance technician career student organization, and Joe won a gold medal at the annual state skills contest in 2003. Both are currently employed by Lockheed, Jacob in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Joe at Egland Air Force Base in Florida.
According to the boys’ mother, Kelly Baker, Jacob at 19 years of age was the youngest employee at the Lockheed site in Albuquerque when he began work there. |
Kelly Baker said, “We wanted our sons to be prepared to provide for themselves and their families before they left home. The simulator maintenance program has done that. They are wonderful boys, and we are proud of them and the training they have received at Southwest Technology.”
Both older sons elected to accrue college credit through the cooperative agreement with Western Oklahoma State College which allowed adult students to earn college credit while enrolled at Southwest Technology
While neither of the older brouthers has used their college credit hours, they plan to do so especially in light of the fact that Lockheed provides partial funding for employees who attend college. Jesse is currently accruing college credit hours through the cooperative alliance which went into effect this school year and allows both adults and high school students to earn college credit.
The simulator maintenance program has also opened career doors for another graduate, Thomas Langdon, 2005, according to his wife Mary, who is currently enrolled in the aviation and aerospace technology program.
After retiring from the United States Air Force, Thomas attended Southwest Technology where he earned all A’s, according to Bill Mason, simulator maintenance instructor. He is currently employed as a quality assurance specialist at Hurlbert Air Force Base in Florida.
What the Southwest Technology Center training did for him, according to his wife was give him a wider array of choices as to where he could work and improved his status from a GS 9 to his current GS 12 status. |
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Mary Langdon |
What the Southwest Technology Center training did for him, according to his wife was give him a wider array of choices as to where he could work and improved his status from a GS 9 to his current GS 12 status.
It was at his urging that Mary enrolled in the aviation and aerospace technology program. She had wanted for years to work in the aviation field, but did not know where to start. She said she is currently enjoying the training program and looks forward to working in the aviation field. Her goal, however, is to continue her education by receiving a power plant license.
Mary looks forward to finishing her education and having the same type of opportunities as her husband has had. She said it is uncertain where her family will end up as her husband has not been in Florida long enough to decide whether or not he likes it there, and she enjoys southwest Oklahoma.
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