Students Mary Chapman, left, and Nano Portugal, right, work together with a fusion splicer and other equipment during a fiber optic technician training demonstration at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Students Mary Chapman, left, and Nano Portugal, right, work together with a fusion splicer and other equipment during a fiber optic technician training demonstration at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Sno-Isle students on the path to becoming fiber professionals

The state will roll out $1.2 billion to close gaps in internet access. But not enough professionals are working to build the infrastructure.

EVERETT — Thinner than hair, strung across the ocean floor, fiber broadband cables connect us all.

Yet, companies struggle to attract and retain the technicians who service these critical connections.

Ted Rodriguez, an instructor at Sno-Isle Tech Skill Center, seeks to change that.

“I need you all to work because if you don’t work, I can’t retire,” he told his students in a speech May 28.

In the next decade, the state will roll out $1.2 billion from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. The money is meant to close gaps in internet access, especially in rural communities. But not enough professionals are working to build the infrastructure.

Sno-Isle is the first high school to offer the Fiber Broadband Association’s Optical Telecom Installer Certification program, partnering with Whidbey Telecom and Calix to ensure the training is up to date.

Elizabeth Oropeza, 18, is an enthusiastic second-year student at Sno-Isle, on leave from her job as a wire assembler at Boeing. She could have learned the new skills on the job, but Oropeza prefers learning at a training center where she won’t have to worry about making mistakes.

“You have your peers supporting you every step of the way,” she said. “You get to fully understand something, because you’re free to learn it in any way that works for your brain.”

As a senior, she sometimes gets to teach. That helps her really understand.

“It’s a humbling experience,” she said. “I thought I knew a lot about electronics.”

But students had questions she didn’t have answers to. They built projects differently, running into mistakes she hadn’t come across. Guiding them helped her understand fiber even more.

She has applied what she learned to one of her passion projects.

One of her friends has a disability and uses crutches and wants to be like Spider-Man.

So Oropeza is working on a device to help them become their favorite superhero.

“Probably some shoulder band or connection to the shoulder and a glove with sensors,” she said. “It would read the flexion of the muscles when the arm was up and clenched it would read it an activate (webs).”

Wearing black coats and protective glasses, students demonstrated cutting fiber, a simple task that takes precision

“You need it to be on the line, perfectly cut and perfectly aligned in the machine. Make sure it’s good,” said student Aamniab Syed, 17.

“A lot of patience,” her peer Sydney Cochems added.

One of Cochems’ favorite projects involves making an electric guitar.

She doesn’t play the instrument, but looks forward having one as a decoration.

Syed said she took the class to explore her options.

“I like learning new things. So anytime there’s a new opportunity, I like to see what it’s all about,” she said.

She is planning on becoming a software engineer.

Donna Hilty, chief operating officer for Whidbey Telecom, marveled at the gender and racial diversity of the group.

She said she understood why the students are passionate about fiber.

“It’s a magical time,” she said. “These kids were partially educated during COVID. They get it. They know how important (fiber) is.”

Hilty said Whidbey Telecom continues to seek entry-level applicants with a proper certificate. Starting pay is about $25 an hour.

Ash Barnett, 18, said Sno-Isle made him become interested in school.

“Before, I was kind of floating through school, not really knowing what I was gonna do, or what was next,” he said. “It’s the first time that I’ve actually felt like I had a direction.”

Aina de Lapparent Alvarez: 425-339-3449; aina.alvarez@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @Ainadla.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide. (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.