Thanking Those Who Choose to Serve

Why should we honor those who choose to serve in our military? It is simple -- because they risk their lives so we can be free, so we can be safe, so we can live in a better country!

We honor our LCCTC Heroes for choosing to live a life of service:

"I wanted to help myself with a better life," states Ethan Caylor, Masonry senior. "I also wanted to serve my country. I'll be able to attend college with the GI bill, too!"

Ethan Caylor, Army

"I wanted to serve my country.  My brother was in the Army, and I always looked up to him.  I know that I'm making him proud," states Madalyn Foster, junior Carpentry student.  "Gosh -- I'm proud of myself.  I'll be able to get my life together, to be a disciplined worker.  I'm really glad I joined."

Madalyn Foster ~ Army

It's something I've always wanted to do," states Griffin Holtom, machine shop junior, "because I like helping people.  This way, I'm helping my country."

Griffin Holtom  ~ Army

Kyle McKinnis, Marines

"I choose the Marines because, ever since I was younger, it interested me;" states Jacob Troutman.  "It sort of stuck with me.  I am looking to go into the infantry and want to serve our country overseas.  I feel that I my service will help me further my education."

Jacob Troutman, Marines

If you, or any other current LCCTC student, decides to serve our country in the armed forces, please contact Mrs. McVicker at lynmcvicker@gmail.com.  Please provide a picture and a brief quote with your reasons for joining.  In advance, thank you for your service!

Weld Shop News ~ Kalley McClure

LCCTC Weld Shop students have completed a few large projects this school year.  The biggest was the “Canemaker,” a 60’ long monkey/pull-up bar, fabricated and welded by the students for New Castle School District’s Athletic Club. In addition, the students completed six gates for the Pennsylvania Game Commission game lands.  Students were involved with all aspects of each project which included planning, metalworking, fabrication, and welding.

Devin Dilling presents her sculpture at SkillsUSA
State Competition

In addition to the class successes, a big “atta-boy” goes to sophomore Devin Dilling who placed 5th among the top 27 welding students at the SkillsUSA Pennsylvania State Competition in Hershey on April 19 - 21st.  Out of 900 points, she was a mere 5 points away from 3rd and 30 points away from first.  “Welding comes easy to me, but I am challenged by learning new concepts; it’s a happy medium for me,” blushes Devin.  “I am looking forward to next year; I’m already considering new ideas!”

All welding students have several personal welding projects that they complete individually to learn all processes and positions of welding in order to meet the Program of Study tasks before graduation. They receive grades for work ethic, performance, quality, and safety.

LCCTC has also secured a 25k Competitive Equipment Grant for new Lincoln welding machines; this will enable them to learn even more of the skills needed making them workforce ready.

LCCTC SkillsUSA Team Wins Back-to-Back Gold

We are proud to announce that the Opening and Closing team from Lawrence County CTC has, once again, brought home the gold medal from the SkillsUSA Pennsylvania competition on April 19-21, 2017; this is the second year in a row that the O & C team has won first place at state competition in Hershey, PA. The O & C team consists of two veterans:  President Jacob Troutman, COT senior from New Castle and Vice President Jenna Locke, CA senior from Ellwood City.  First year members include Parliamentarian Brandee D'Ambrosi, CA junior from New Castle; Reporter Dayuna Ware, HA sophomore from New Castle; Treasurer Tristyn Gravatt, CA junior from Union; Secretary Krista Berkley, Cos junior from Laurel; and Historian Felicity Weir, Cos junior from Shenango.  The team is thrilled to return to compete against other gold medalists from across the country in Louisville, Kentucky for the 53rd SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference on June 19-23, 2017.

Gold Medalists Opening and Closing Team:  Jacob Troutman, Tristyn Gravatt, Felicity Weir, Krista Berkley, Jenna Locke, Dayuna Ware, and Brandee D'Ambrosi

Additionally, we are proud to announce that the Chapter Display Team earned a second place silver medal.  The team consisted of Electrical Occupations Students Noah Skelly and Stormy Fiello, and Machine Tool Tech student Trevor Cunningham, all sophomores from Ellwood City.

Chapter Display Silver Medalists:  Trevor Cunningham, Stormie Fiello, and Noah Skelly

“We couldn’t be more proud of our students and staff here at LCCTC,” comments Principal Mike Milanovich.  “Their success goes to show that our home schools are sending us quality students.  The community should be proud of these students, as well.” 

The annual SkillsUSA conference was where students, all state regional contest winners, competed hands-on in 93 different trade, technical and leadership fields.

Row 3:  Tabatha Zang, Felicity Weir, Krista Berkley, Samara Grimes, Gemma Gatto, Briana Burgin, Jaden Locke, Devin Dilling

Row 2:  Kyle Rocksbury, Michael Birchbickler, Tristyn Gravatt, Noah Skelley, Taylor Dilling, Dom Fobes, Jacob Troutman, Ben Schwartz

Row 1:  Brandee D’Ambrosi, Stormy Fiello, Machaela Nail, Dayuna Ware, Trevor Cunningham, Dawson Fair, Jenna Locke

"We are very proud of the accomplishments from each of our competitors," said Carolyn McVicker, SkillsUSA Opening and Closing Team coach at LCCTC. "By showing their dedication to excellence in occupational and leadership skills, the Opening and Closing team, the Chapter Display team, and the other thirteen students who participated in the SkillsUSA State competition are true ‘Champions at Work.’"

Just prior to the awards ceremony, Gov. Tom Wolf, former forklift operator and lumber and building materials business owner, spoke about the importance of training students for career-ready skills.  He congratulated SkillsUSA Pennsylvania for Preparing America's Skilled Workforce for the last 50 years and congratulated the students who worked so hard to make it to state competition.  

During this annual PA SkillsUSA State Championships, more than 1,700 outstanding career and technical education students worked against the clock and themselves, proving their expertise in leadership contests like the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.  Every student worked hard to earn their way to state competition. Outstanding LCCTC students who also demonstrated their skills in trades include the following: Samara Grimes for Basic Health Care,  Ben Schwartz for Chapter Cake Decorating, Dawson Fair for CNC Technician, Taylor Dilling for Employment Application Process, Dom Fobes for Masonry, Michael Birkbickler and Kyle Roxberry for Mechatronics, Devin Dilling for Welding Sculpture, and Gemma Gatto, Jaden Locke, and Tabatha Zang for Promotional Bulletin Board.  Brianna Burgin and Macheala Nail served as delegates, helping to elect next year's state officers.  

Mr. Leonard Rich, Director at LCCTC is ecstatic:  “We are impressed, humbled and excited about the performance of all our students at state level competition. A particular congratulations goes to the Opening and Closing Team who defended their state title!”

SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA chapters help every student excel while preparing for careers in technical, skilled, and service occupations. SkillsUSA has more than 300,000 students and instructors as members.

For more information, visit: www.SkillsUSA.org.  

SkillsUSA State Competition at Hershey 2017

On our way to Hershey PA for state competition!

Enjoying some down time!

As a sophomore, Devin Dilling competed
against 32 other welders across the state of
Pennsylvania and came in 5th!  Impressive!!

Our Chapter Display team worked hard on this
project -- they were a mere fraction away from
heading to nationals!  Look out next year!

Ben Schwartz competed in the
cake decorating competition to
celebrate SkillsUSA PA's 50th year!

Our Promotional Bulletin Board team showed
well with their presentation!
Jaden Locke, Tabby Zang, and Gemma Gatto

The food is GREAT in Hershey!

We're the "Red Coats," as Mr. Milanovich calls us.  We make
these red coats look GOOOOODDDDD!

There's a lot to smile about at SkillsUSA Hershey State Competition!

"Okay guys -- it's curfew..."  And they all said good night to each other.
It's the friendships through SkillsUSA that is so great.

Governor Tom Wolfe Spoke at the Awards
Ceremony, pledging his support for
CTC education!

Silver Medalists:  Chapter Display
Trevor Cunningham, Stormy Fiello, and Noah Skelley

State Champions:  Opening and Closing Team
Jake Troutman, Tristyn Gravatt, Felicity Weir, Krista Berkley
Jenna Locke, Dayuna Ware, and Brandee D'Ambrosi

LCCTC's 2017 Competitors and Delegates

The Ellwood Group's Generous Donation to MTT ~ by Brandee D'Ambrosi

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!

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.”

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.

Welcoming our guests

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.”

"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.

NTHS Inductions Spring 2017

To the veteran members of National Technical
Honor Society:  Keep up the good work!  To our new
inductees:  Congratulations!!

"Success is no accident...

"It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice...

"...and most of all, love of what you're doing or learning to do." ~ Pele

"There are no secrets to success.  It is the result of preparation, 

hard work, and learning from failure." ~ Colin Powell

According to the NTHS.org, the mission of the organization is "to honor student achievement and leadership in career and technical education, promote educational excellence, award scholarships, and enhance career opportunities for the NTHS membership."

The site also states that the vision of NTHS is " to be the international leader in providing recognition for excellence in career and technical education."

NTHS' motto is "Success favors the prepared mind."  

NTHS requires a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and the nominee must be enrolled in a CTE program.

"Last night at NHS I felt very proud," recalls member Emily G, "not only of myself, but of all the new inductees that I know worked very hard to be in the position they're in now.

Additional suggested criteria include attendance, instructor nominations, disciplinary records, and Career & Technical Student Organizations membership such as SkillsUSA.

There are seven attributes of membership:  skill, honesty, service, responsibility, scholarship, citizenship, and leadership

"Knowledge is familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study. This candle represents the knowledge you have gained through experience and study in your technical program."

The first member attribute is SKILL, the use of knowledge to develop great ability and expertness necessary to make a positive difference in a particular occupational field. 

The second member attribute is HONESTY, the quality of being truthful, trustworthy, and fair with everyone while at work or play. 

The third member attribute is SERVICE, the giving assistance and being ready and able to provide a helpful and useful act.

"I felt as though that ceremony was really special," reflects Shay Stanley.  "I felt wonderful to be recognized for my academic achievements with my family watching on."

The fourth member attribute is RESPONSIBILITY which involves the ability to act without guidance or superior authority and being answerable for your actions.

The fifth member attribute is SCHOLARSHIP, the distinctive mark of one who has mastered an area of learning, as reflected in the quality of his/her work, especially with respect to scope, thoroughness, and care.

The sixth member attribute is CITIZENSHIP which is being entitled with full civil rights and exercising the duties, rights, and privileges of this status.

The seventh member attribute is LEADERSHIP, the responsibility of serving as a guiding force, and directing the way by going first with courage and confidence.

"The goal of the society is to see that deserving technical students be recognized and that people of the community become aware of the talents and abilities of the young people and adults who choose technical education pathways to a successful future."

Proud family members and friends snap moments to remember.

"Remember -- You always want to be the 'lead dog'."

Mrs. Pasterik passes out roses for keepsakes.

Families capture memories

Lots of laughs as they strike a pose

Checking out portfolios

Congratulations Mrs. Pasterik and the NTHS members!!