It all began when Ms. Pamela Vass of the Ellwood Group, Inc. asked Mr. Rich how LCCTC’s industrial programs were progressing; he replied, “It’s a little tough right now. Our CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine is down in Machine Tool Tech (MTT).”
Ms. Vass immediately replied, “I think we may be able to help you with that.”
The CNC Machine is an electromechanical device that manipulates machine shop tools using programming inputs. This machine is used for a variety of different operations. CNC machining is very necessary because CNC machines are used in many different fields, ranging from hobbyists to military groups.
The next thing we knew, the Ellwood Group, Inc. arrived at our door with big smiles, warm handshakes, and a check for $48,000 -- the price it takes to purchase the piece of equipment we needed!
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| Back Row MTT Students: Corey W, Kyle M, Brandon L, April B, Lane K, Aaron H, and Trevor C Front Row: Mr. Bernard Rosenwald of the Ellwood Group Inc, and Mr. Kurt Miller, Machine Tool Technology instructor |
Ellwood Group, Inc., a family-owned, privately-held company, has been operating for over 100 years. Through growth and acquisition, EGI has become a major supplier of high-quality, engineered, heavy metal components to customers all over the world. While EGI has grown significantly and now employs over 2,000 employees, the same family values are just as important now as they were 100 years ago; this can be evidenced today with their considerable gifts to our students. According to Eric Poole of the Ellwood City Ledger, “Over the last 15 years, … [the] Ellwood Group has donated more than $2 million in supplies and funds to a variety of educational institutions including … the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center.”
Poole goes on to inform us that, “The technology comes back to benefit Ellwood Group, who lean on the local schools for its labor force. Rich estimates that 26 percent of the career and technical center's graduates move directly into the workforce -- in many cases, for companies like the Ellwood Group which has facilities in five states and Ontario, Canada; it means that we will be able to graduate skilled graduates.”
When we asked Ms.Vass why she felt driven to donate the money to help our school, she replied, “We donated the money for a good relationship, good values, and because we are considering future jobs.”
Ms. Vass had great reasons, but to the administration and students here at LCCTC, the donation meant so much more than that. “This donation is quite generous,” states Mr. Rich. “That’s how much these people believe in you.”
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| Stormy Fiello, Ellwood City sophomore, appreciates the support from EGI. "It's an honor to come out and see what we're doing. I appreciate that they donated the equipment to us." |
Continuing on to SkillsUSA state competition for CNC Technician, Dawson Fair is extremely grateful for the generosity of EGI. “I can’t wait to see the CNC machine and get my hands on it -- even if it’s only for a little while. I really appreciate their generosity! I feel that THEY feel that we’re worth this investment, and that feels good!”
It’s true that in a high school like ours, it is important to have people who help us to succeed at the goals we set within our shops, and to us, knowing that there was a group of people who believed in us enough to donate that much money gives us that push so we make them proud.
For someone who doesn’t know much about machines to wrap their heads around such a gift, it is hard to understand. They may feel that $48,000 is a lot to donate for just one machine, but the importance of operating a CNC machine at our school is indispensable for our students and their future careers in the Machine Tool Tech industry.
Along with using the machine for teaching purposes, the new machine will also have a very special use. Our very own student, Dawson Fair, will be using this machine to compete at the upcoming SkillsUSA States competition. With the help of this machine, he will hopefully be bringing home the gold!
“A lot of the population doesn’t know that this is a great career path,” comments Ms. Vass, and we agree; LCCTC can provide our community with college and career-ready graduates.
“I want to get this shop to where it needs to be for these students,” grins Mr. Kurt Miller, MTT teacher, “and I can’t bring kids to their full potential without a CNC machine.”
Thanks to the Ellwood Group for granting his wish.
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| Welcoming our guests |
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| Trevor Cunningham, MTT sophomore originally from Ellwood, states, “I feel that there is a trust bestowed upon our school -- to graduate skilled workers who are employable in regional companies like the Ellwood Group. We will also be career-ready in any machine shop.” |
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| "Through their generous gifts of money and equipment, the Ellwood group is helping us teach our kids the skills needed in industry, and we greatly appreciate their generosity," states Pete Montini, EO instructor. |
