SHIPPENVILLE, Pa. — The Clarion County Career Center held its annual Senior Recognition Program on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.
[The photo above shows the top seniors from the 9 programs. Front row: Becca Smith-Allied Health (Keystone); Autumn Rapp-Police Science (Keystone); Madison Greenawalt-Cosmetology (Redbank Valley); and Steven Snyder-Culinary Arts (Clarion Area). Back row: Corey Best-Welding (Union); Keaton Minich-Diesel (Redbank Valley); Devin Shaffer-Construction (Keystone); Vincent Gazzo-Automotive (Union); and Joshua Gagne-Computer Networking (Clarion-Limestone).]
The annual Senior Recognition program was held on Tuesday, May 22nd at the Clarion Area Junior-Senior High School auditorium. The Class of 2018 had 91 seniors who were recognized at this awards ceremony. Kirk Atwood, Director of the Career Center, led the event as the Master of Ceremony.
The program began with the National Anthem, which was performed by soloist, Lauren Skelley.
Video clips of each of the seniors were shown where they shared what program and length of time they attended the Career Center and one of four questions: their plans after graduation; favorite memory; most important thing they learned or how CCCC prepared them for their future.
Top seniors of each program were selected by their Instructors. They were awarded $200.00 and in some cases, additional prizes related to their program.
Top seniors were:
Becca Smith — Allied Health (Keystone)
Vincent Gazzo — Automotive (Union)
Steven Snyder — Culinary Arts (Clarion Area)
Joshua Gagne — Computer Networking (Clarion-Limestone)
Madison Greenawalt — Cosmetology (Redbank Valley)
Devin Shaffer — Construction (Keystone)
Keaton Minich — Diesel (Redbank Valley)
Autumn Rapp — Police Science (Keystone)
Corey Best — Welding (Union)
Pat Kahle, President of Zacherl Motors, was in attendance and announced during the ceremony the recipient of the Michael & Marie Zacherl Outstanding Diesel Technology Student award – Keaton Minich (Redbank Valley). Keaton was offered full-time employment at Zacherl Motors after graduation.
Mindy Gatesman from the Clarion Hospital Board of Directors presented the Joseph and Helen Miller Scholarship of $1000.00 to Becca Smith (Keystone) in Allied Health Science.
Robert Burkett in Welding & Fabrication (North Clarion) was presented the Most Improved Student award for showing the most improvement during the three years he attended the Career Center and received a $50 award.
Mary Louise Logue from the Clarion Rotary was on hand to present the Thomas B. Burkhardt Rotary Scholarship Award of $500.00 each to two students: Erika Romo (Clarion-Limestone) and Taylor Boots (Union) both who attended the Allied Health Science program. Mr. Burkhardt was a teacher at the Career Center, as well as an honored member of the Rotary at the time of his death. This scholarship is presented annually to the graduating cooperative education senior who best displays exemplary achievement on the job site. An additional $300.00 Rotary District 7280 Outstanding Vocational Student award was also presented by Ms. Logue to Autumn Rapp in Police Science (Keystone).
Family members of Mary Kay Hartle: Jim Hartle (husband) and Kathy Smerkar (daughter) presented the $500.00 Most Outstanding Student award to Becca Smith (Keystone) in Allied Health Science. The award is presented in memory of Mary Kay, a Health Assistant Instructor from 1976-1990. Mary Kay is remembered for her motto of “Make Today Count,” which is printed on the award to allow Mary Kay to pass along that thought to others.
The Ron Perry Volunteerism Award for $500.00 was presented by Mrs. Yvonne Perry (Ron’s wife) and Mrs. Melissa Fetzer (Ron’s daughter) to Bryanna Dailey (Clarion-Limestone) who attended the Cosmetology program. Ron Perry served for many years on the school’s Joint Operating Committee, as well as volunteering his time to participate in many community activities. The JOC supports this award to recognize a student who follows Ron’s example by volunteering their time to support their community.
The Odd Fellows Home of Western PA provided two Citizenship scholarships.
– A $500.00 “School-to-Work” award was presented to Seth Nellis (Construction Technology/Clarion Area).
– A $600.00 “Continuing Education” award was presented to Linzy Fuesler (Culinary Arts/Clarion-Limestone)
The Career Center staff and Joint Operating Committee wish the Class of 2018 the best of luck in their future.
