McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology

Meet Public School Hero, Chauntee Smith.⭐

As Director of the McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology (MCIT) in MSD of Lawrence Township, Mr. Smith is redefining what a high school education looks like.

By bridging the gap between Lawrence Central and Lawrence North, he has turned MCIT into a powerhouse of opportunity where students get hands-on experience.

Under his vision, students choose from over 20 diverse pathways—from Cybersecurity and Automotive Repair to Culinary Arts and Cosmetology. But Mr. Smith goes beyond the classroom, securing partnerships with Ivy Tech Community College and Vincennes University to provide dual credits and industry-recognized certifications like CNA and CompTIA.

His impact starts early with 6th-grade career exploration and extends into the community through student-run businesses like Bernie’s Place and Studio 75. Whether they are heading to a university or straight into a high-demand career, students graduate with the skills and confidence to win.

Thank you, Chauntee, for supporting our schools and community through your collaborative partnership, strong leadership, and unwavering support.

Congratulations to Trinity Easley, founder of Iconic Looks, for competing in the finals of the STARTedUp Pitch Competition at Butler University on Friday, June 12!

Trinity did an outstanding job representing McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology and MSD Lawrence Township. We are so proud of her hard work, confidence, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.

A special thank you to Representative Carey Hamilton for introducing Trinity and for supporting our students. We would also like to recognize Heat Check — Jayden Douglas, Kai Washington, and Brennan Miller — for representing MCIT as part of the Emerging Innovators Showcase.

We are proud of all of our MCIT students who continue to showcase innovation, leadership, and excellence beyond the classroom!

Our final celebration of the school year! 🎉

Last week, our CNA students, led by Mrs. Carolyn Gauen, celebrated their pinning ceremony—a milestone recognizing their hard work, dedication, and commitment to healthcare.

We are incredibly proud of these students and thankful to our partners at Westminster Village North for helping train the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Congratulations, graduates! We can’t wait to see the difference you’ll make in the lives of others. 💙🩺

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year: Claudia Heck and our Classified Staff of they Year: Anthony Sargent.
Coming Soon.... to a High School Auditorium near you 😜

The excellence just keeps coming! 🎉

100% — YES, all of them! — of our Criminal Justice seniors led by Mr. Jason Glover passed and officially became licensed 911 dispatchers! 🚔📞

This is an incredible accomplishment, and we couldn’t be more proud of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving others.

Congratulations to each and every one of you on this amazing achievement! 👏

Congratulations to our Entrepreneurship students on an amazing accomplishment in the recent pitch competition! 👏

Cameron Dixon, Kiptyn Geier, and Henry Stayte earned one of only three winning spots among Warren, New Castle, and MCIT with their business idea, the Circle City Baseball Clinic. ⚾

The team received $1,000, mentorship opportunities with INNOPOWER, and the chance to pitch again next week to potential investors and mentors. We are so proud of them!

Congratulations to our Senior Software Development students for a job well done on their capstone projects!

From the very first line of code, these students developed original game concepts, researched and designed their ideas, and brought them to life through coding and creativity.

A special thank you to their teacher, Ms. Abril Zaragoza Palos, for her guidance and dedication throughout the process. We are so proud of all they accomplished! 💻👾

Congratulations Mrs. Heck!!! Thank you for all you do for MCIT!

Congratulations to McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology Teacher of the Year, Ms. Claudia Heck! 🎉