👻 BOO! Electrical Academy Students Build Annual Haunted House and Defend State Championship Title

Sparked by the leadership of Edison Academy students in electrical construction and engineering, students across Edison Academy — studying auto technology, cybersecurity, construction, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, HVAC, veterinary science, and teachers for tomorrow — fused their talents to create a spooky, interactive haunted house. 

Each academy program at Edison contributed to a scene within the haunted house. 

“I loved how everyone had their own take. We built a ‘bloody’ wedding cake, cosmetology did creepy floating mannequin heads. It was cool how we all had a specialty and worked together,” said culinary student Katarina. 

After agreeing to a shared vision and plan for the house, electrical construction and engineering students supported the other programs with their exhibits by giving them direction, assisting them with power/lighting, and helping construct their scene.

Electrical Construction and Engineering Teacher Joseph Wolfe designed the project to be collaborative and for his level three students to practice leadership. “Each level three [electrical construction and engineering] student leads a small team of level two students. The level two students have been instructed to direct questions and ask for support from their team lead,” said Wolfe. “This simulates what a real-life situation would be like on a job site.”

Starting October 1, Wolfe’s students worked on the build for a couple of hours each day to be ready for Halloween. 

“Through this project, students learn how to work on a team, report to a team lead, and problem-solve in real-time with limited resources like time and budget,” said Career and Transition Teacher Jenna McCabe. “The team leads are learning leadership skills, how to delegate tasks, and communicating effectively with their peers.”

This was the second year Edison Academy hosted the haunted house, which was open to students, teachers, and community members … free of charge … and saw nearly 2,800 visitors!

⚡Among the Best in the State

Earlier in October, Edison Academy electrical construction and engineering student Landon — a level three team lead at the haunted house —  won the state championship title in the electrical contest at the SkillsUSA State Fair in Richmond.

Under the guidance of Wolfe, Landon (pictured right) successfully defended his championship title marking the second consecutive year that he has secured the top spot in the highly competitive contest!

The contest challenges participants to demonstrate their expertise in wiring residential systems, bending conduits, and applying knowledge from the National Electrical Code (NEC) book. From among more than 20 competitors, Landon showcased exceptional skills, further cementing his status as a leading student in the field of electrical technology.

“I’m hoping to be a master electrician someday,” said Landon. “Edison has given me a lot of skills within the trade and opportunities for leadership.”

Adding to Edison Academy’s success, Ash, a second-year electrical student, earned an impressive fourth-place finish, 

placing them in good standing for future competitions. Edwin, also a second-year electrical student, earned an eighth-place finish. Remarkably, all three of Mr. Wolfe’s students who competed placed in the top 10, underscoring the teacher’s commitment to student excellence in career and technical education (CTE).

The academy's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) students, led by HVAC Teacher Robert Stringham, also competed with Yitzak and Fin teaming up to place fifth out of 17 registered teams, marking a solid performance in their division.

🔩 Career and Technical Education at FCPS

November is National Career Development Month. At FCPS, all high school students are eligible to participate in Career and Technical Education programs offered at high schools and academies. An academy is a center within an existing high school offering advanced technical and specialized courses, integrating career and academic preparation.

Edison Academy offers students hands-on learning experiences in technical fields, including electrical, HVAC, automotive, and more. As part of FCPS, the academy focuses on preparing students for successful careers through industry-aligned curriculum and certifications.

In addition to Edison Academy, Chantilly, Fairfax, Falls Church, Marshall, and West Potomac high schools also have a site-based academy. Courses and transportation are available based on a student’s base school. 

“My favorite thing about the courses we teach is the way students in our programs seem to light up when we show them something they never thought they were capable of,” explained Wolfe. “The technical skills that we show them and the way we teach them, always seem to shine a light on a world that they never thought possible until they have taken our classes and have learned the fundamentals of our industries.”  

✨ The availability of and access to career and technical training is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. 

Learn more about academies, specialized programs, and work-based learning experiences offered in FCPS. Learn more about CTE programs offered in FCPS.