Six ACC metalworking students have completed internships in Germany as part of an international exchange between the Welding Technology Department and its German counterparts. During their time in Koblenz, Germany, students Courtney Gray, Andrew Judd, Abel Sanchez, Craig Sherrell, Jacob Spalding, and Andrew White attained international welding certifications in accordance with standards set by the International Standards Organization (ISO) and earned 16 credit hours toward an associate's degrees in welding technology. Five students are specializing in code welding or art metals, while one is specializing in jewelry making. Since the exchange started in 2000, the Welding Technology Department has sent 18 interns to Germany and Holland.

The ACC Fire Academy is celebrating the success of its recent graduating class of firefighter cadets. From the class of 28 students, 27 passed the state fire exam on their first attempt.

A record 60 students enrolled this fall in the College Prep Academy, a collaboration between Capital IDEA and Austin Community College that offers 12 weeks of instruction to prepare adults for college-level work. Forty-four students were new to the program, and 35 of them are now ready to take college courses after completing the session. Sixteen students were returning for math instruction, and they are all ready for college courses. The College Prep Academy students were especially complimentary of the patience and dedication shown by their ACC instructors, including Linda Lane, Jason Katz, Vicki Henry, Allison Mosshart, Ted Rachofsky, and Cathy Watson.

ACC faculty and the Phi Theta Kappa honor society representatives served as judges and announcers for IBM's first annual spelling bee Dec. 13. The event required 11 rounds and featured 21 middle-schoolers whose families work for IBM. ACC faculty participants were Maxine Garcia, David Humphreys, Kelly Petkus, Jeff Stringer, and Jane Terrell. Phi Theta Kappa Past President Velvet Webb also participated, along with Phi Theta Kappa faculty advisor Mary Kohls, who helped coordinate the event. IBM donated $400 for a scholarship for a Phi Theta Kappa member.

The Parent Association of the ACC Children's Lab School purchased four trees valued at more than $500 for the Eastview Campus. ACC Grounds employees dug the holes (thanks to Jesse Scott, Randy Soto, Melvin Butler, and Peter Morris), and the parents and children planted the trees Dec. 5. Families will take turns watering the trees to help them become well established over the next year. Genevieve Reames, Parent Association chair, said the parents wanted to leave a legacy for their children who have attended the program as well as for the dedicated staff.

The Austin-area branch of the International Dyslexia Association recently extended its thanks to ACC for sponsoring the "Bridges to Practice/Dyslexia Awareness" training Oct. 10, 17, and 24 at the Eastview Campus. ACC faculty Vonnye Gardner and Ann Palmer and Adult Education Staff Development Coordinator Debbie Talavera helped organize the event. ACC students who volunteered as campus mentors were Donna Webb, Nubia Zamora, and Teresa Newby. Thanks also were extended to the following for their support: Stephen Kinslow, ACC interim president; Tyra Duncan-Hall, provost of campus operations; Laurie Fluker, dean of Communications; and Dolores Segura, Developmental Communications Department chair.