Pima Vocational High School is accepting new students for its next session that begins April 25.

Students between 16 and 21 years old are eligible to apply. Interested students have to attend a two-day orientation on April 20 and 21 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the schoolโ€™s south campus, 175 W. Irvington Road.

To reserve a spot, call 724-9740. For a registration packet, visit pimavocational.org online.

The high school is a program of Pima Countyโ€™s community services, employment and training department. Students can get real-world work experience on top of academic classes.

More than 500 students have graduated from the school with diplomas and career plans since it opened in 2000.

Students win financial analysis competition

An Orange Grove Middle School team won a state competition on analyzing financial situations and providing recommended strategies.

Sydney Loudermilk and James Yang of the school won a case study competition sponsored by the Arizona Council for Economic Education. They first had to submit a written analysis, which they then presented at state finals on April 7.

Two of the six finalist teams were from Orange Grove Middle School, 1911 E. Orange Grove Road. The school is within the Catalina Foothills School District.

Junior Shark Tank program open to teens

Tucson-area high school students will get a chance to participate in a summer science, technology, engineering and math mentoring program.

The SYSTEM Coalition is putting on a four-week summer STEM program, during which high school teams will be mentored by industry and business professionals and develop ideas into products.

At the end of the program, the teams will compete to win $1,000 to $5,000 in scholarships.

All high school students, including seniors who are graduating this May are eligible. Students who will be freshmen in the fall are not.

The registration fee for the program is $300, but students who qualify for free or reduced lunch are eligible to pay a smaller fee. Applications are due April 30.

To apply, visit systemcoalition.org/jr-shark-tank.

Graduation safety messages sought

The Pima Association of Governments is challenging high school students to come up with a graduation safety message.

To participate in the contest, high school students should submit a video and/or a safety message for social media that PAG can use on social media by May 5.

Entries from finalists will be posted on PAGโ€™s Facebook page from May 10 to 12. At least 200 likes are required for entries to receive cash prizes for first, second and third places.

For more detailed criteria, email SafetyContest@PAGregion.com. Entries should be submitted there also.

The contest aims to spread awareness on the importance of safety during graduation week, when there is a greater number of car accidents.


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Contact: 573-4243 or yjung@tucson.com On Twitter: @yoohyun_jung