Why We Love Our School ~ by Felicity Weir

“Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may remember.

Involve me and I learn.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Every student learns differently. Where one person may be more inclined to learn through a book, another student may need to be taught in a more hands-on manner. For example, Aliya Graham states “I love LCCTC for the hands-on approach and for how much the teachers care to help the students with their education.” Aliya is not the only student who feels this way about our beloved school. For many, it is not as easy as just simply reading something or listening. Most vocational students come here for a more hands-on experience.  Our teachers really work hard to reach every students’ needs. LCCTC Senior, Maggie Richards agrees as she says “ All of my teachers have really taken the time to work with me.”  Some days, class may consist of a worksheet, reading aloud together, or a discussion/debate; other days, students may participate in a fun educational game. Most of the time, we aren't even aware that we're learning because we just enjoy being in school.  Lawrence County CTC offers a broad spectrum of teaching and learning strategies.

What is unique about a career and technical center like ours is that it not only focuses on an academic education; students also learn a trade. Jeremy Streckeisen says he loves how “our school gives us the ability to be hired even before our senior year of school is over.” Shops like Cosmetology, Health Assistance, and Computer and Office Technology graduate with several certifications that aide them in obtaining a job in their desired field. Whereas shops like Welding,Oil and Gas, and Electrical can go straight into the workforce or even into the union with the knowledge and experience obtained through LCCTC. However, some students plan to carry on their education past high school. Like many other shops, vet-tech students obtain a wide variety of knowledge that will help them be a step ahead if they decide to further their education; conversely, if students choose not to go to college, they may have higher chances of landing a job as a groomer or assisting in a veterinary office.

Every student has a different reason for enrolling in our school. Kaylyn Durham’s says her  reasoning for coming to LCCTC is that “it allowed me to further my education in cooking. My great grandmother taught me how to cook when I was really young. We used to cook all the time  for dinners and holidays. I want to thank my shop teacher Jennifer Price; having her as a teacher is a pleasure. I cannot wait to finish out my senior year at LCCTC!” Some students enroll because they need a fresh start, desire a new form of learning, or want to be a step ahead in their career. LCCTC fulfills all of those needs.

Although vocational schools are not for everyone, attending one is such a unique experience. LCCTC has been changing lives of students for over 50 years. Each individual has made the choice to become a part of our school, and in saying that, every student has made the choice to stay for a reason. Because this school has become a part of so many of us, we will live the lessons taught here at LCCTC.

LCCTC Welcomes New Students and Parents

Parents and students of the Class of 2020 packed the cafeteria this week for orientation as smiling student-helpers, PeerLeaders, LCCTC staff, and administration welcomed them into our "family."  

After Director Rich and Principal Milanovich congratulated the incoming sophomores on their acceptance and wished them well, Mr. Milanovich presented a "brief" description of what to expect as they train in their career of choice over the next three years.  

New students and parents, Welcome Packets in hand, were then able to travel throughout the sparkling-clean school to locate their classes.  They were greeted by their new teachers and staff and had a chance to get rid of those first-day jitters, now that they are familiar with their new school.  

Also welcoming them were new parking lot lights fitted with parts machined by our MTT students, wired by our EO students, and mounted on freshly-painted poles, brand-new tiles in the academic wing, and an overall gleaming-clean school, thanks to our stellar custodial staff!  As Mr. Milanovich said, "This 'Old Lady' shines!"  

For the returning seniors and juniors, we are ready on Tuesday to welcome you all back for another great year!  

"We are RISING!"  

"When the Sun is Shining": LCCTC Gets a New Roof

Surrounded by safety banners, workmen from G & W Roofing
located in Eighty-four, PA, install the new Duro-last roof

"The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining." ~ John F. Kennedy

Kennedy knew the truth; LCCTC knew it, too.  Was the roof on the school falling in?  No.  But when it rained, and every time it rained, we all knew what to expect:  buckets.  Because our school leaders knew that a new roof was worth the trouble and investment, they decided that it was time.  

This summer, if you drove by the school, you might have seen the evidence of this work in the form of supplies, machinery, and workers perched atop our roof.  In the sweltering sun and heat of the summer, they worked to secure our roof in the form of Duro-last, a plastic, polyethylene membrane, securely fastened to the original structure and fastened with metal flashing.  The material that comes with a 20 year guarantee allows the roof to breathe, but it keeps the effects of weather outside where it belongs. The new roof reflects 85% of the ultraviolet rays to keep the summer air on the ceiling cooler and assisting in keeping the winter air warmer, thus saving money in heating and cooling.

"If you were to go on the rooftop now," states head custodian, George Dudich, "you'd need sunglasses.  It's like trying to look across snow on a sunny day;  the roof reflects a lot of light."  

As for the leaks?  Mr. Dudich states with a smile, "So far, it's doing the job it was intended to do."  

This winter and for the next 20 years, LCCTC staff and students can enjoy coming to school knowing that our building will continue to be in great shape -- all thanks to the leadership at LCCTC.