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| LCCTC students gather before the assembly.
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"It was really inspiring to see students from our school come together in support of our country." ~ Josephine Beiter, Veterinary Assistant
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| There is a message they have gathered to hear... ~ ~ ~
"Peace is spread through words and actions, use yours to make the world a better place." ~ James Robison, Welding senior
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| These kids have made a choice today. To unite. We are one. ~ ~ ~
"The event was very inspiring to me. It proved to me the world needs to change for the better, and we as a school can make a difference. This is just our first step." ~ Jessalyn Kray, Restaurant Trades junior
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| Director Leonard Rich delivers our civics lesson this morning. |
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| Officer Zach Priesel, our SRO, delivers a promise to our community. |
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| Teacher, Julie Gettings, shares the story of her son, Albert, who bravely served in Iraq, ultimately sacrificing his life in service to save his fellow troops. |
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| Each and every student listens with great respect as Mrs. Gettings tells her story. ~ ~ ~
"It is important to give us the opportunity to come together together knowing what’s been going on in the news. We choose to be unified. I was really impacted by Mrs. Gettings' story about her son, Albert; it meant a lot to me that she was able to talk this morning, even though it must have been hard. He fought for the right for the freedoms we have, and it was easy to see through Mrs. Gettings' tears that she was proud of that. I also stand to show them honor." ~ Tabatha Zang, Veterinary Assistant junior
"It was very inspirational -- to see so many members of the school come together in respect of our veterans and to show that we all stand together as one. A lot of people were very touched by the assembly -- myself included." ~ Candace Hammond, Restaurant Trades sophomore |
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| Our student body and staff deliver a roaring round of applause and standing ovation after our speakers deliver their message. ~ ~ ~
"I’m so proud to have been able to be a part of such a wonderful event. I was inspired by the speakers; the messages were from the heart. It truly felt that everyone who was able to be there in that gym is truly united; it was more than just a mentality that 'everyone is doing it so I should too'. We all wanted to show our neighbors that we are truly united." ~ Tomiann McCowin, Health Assistant junior
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| We are challenged to link arms...
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"We love our school. We love our community. We, the students of Lawrence County, stood today to support each other and to spread the message that we are united. It is my prayer to continue to work hard to make the world -- even our world within these walls -- a better place." ~ Dayuna Ware, Health Assistant junior
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| ...to stand as one... |
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| ...brothers and sisters... United together... ~ ~ ~
"At the end of the day we’re all American. As President Abraham Lincoln once said, 'United we stand, divided we fall'." ~ Jason Ealy, Auto Technician junior
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| ...young and old...black and white...man and woman... ~ ~ ~
"When I first heard that this event would be voluntary, I wondered if there would only be a few others with me, but when the crown rolled in, it was great! It was wonderful to see so many of my fellow classmates standing with me! Standing next to Mr. Rich in the Unity Chain, I was reminded that WE, the students of Lawrence County CTC, can 'be the change we wish to see in the world'!" ~ Riley Leonard, Restaurant Trades junior
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| We are united in our cause -- Let the Lawrence County CTC be the "change you
wish to see in the world!" (Gandhi) ~ ~ ~
"I thought it was wonderful and very touching. We are all the same inside; we all want the same thing -- to be judged by our character. Why does it matter that our skin tones are different colors? Why does it matter if we have a different religion? I stood today to let others know that I stand with them through this troubled world." ~ Stormy Fiello, Electrical Occupations junior
~ ~ ~ "It was uplifting for the school -- it was uplifting to me -- to stand together, shoulder to shoulder in unity...no matter our differences." ~ Trevor Cunningham, Machine Tool Tech junior 
Mr. Rich's Address:
Recently the political discourse in America has divided our country. We have lost the ability to discuss, to communicate, to understand, to empathize. If you disagree with me, you must be my enemy. If you disagree with me, I can show you no tolerance. We gather here together, we rise here together, because as a school community, we are united.
We are reminded of the words of Mahatma Gandi: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” I am not waiting for a President to drive change. I am not waiting for Congress to drive change. Change starts with you and I. Change can occur at LCCTC, in New Castle, in Pennsylvania, in the United States, and in the world.
As a student of history, recent events have also made me think of the words of Abraham Lincoln. Prior to becoming President of the United States, then Senatorial Candidate Abraham Lincoln called upon the book of Matthew 12:22-28 for his inspiration in the now famous House Divided Speech. Lincoln took the original text which said: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand,” and adapted it to the context of the mid-19th century.
Lincoln’s words were: “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new — North as well as South.”
Our house is divided. America is divided; black and white, liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican. We have forgotten that we should celebrate our diversity, celebrate our differences. I too have succumb to emotional visceral thoughts and actions over the last year. We can do so no longer. Before we define ourselves by color, ethnicity, gender, creed, sexual orientation, etc. can we not define ourselves as American? We are the land of the free! We are the home of the brave!
Over the course of the summer of 2017, racism played out on the national stage. And again, history has the answer. On August 28, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the following words.: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” It is clear that 54 years later we still need to work on making this dream a reality.
So I ask you today, do you want to be part of the problem or part of the solution? No one here will stand alone. No one here will kneel alone. We are stronger when we are arm and arm together.
Remember those who have been victims of social injustice. Remember those who have served and paid the ultimate price for that service.
I love this country because of the freedoms provided. I love this country because we can peaceably assemble like we are doing today! I love this country because we can disagree without being disagreeable.
The person to your left is your neighbor, your fellow American. The person to your right is your neighbor, your fellow American! I ask that you help your neighbor. I ask that you respect your neighbor. I ask that you love your neighbor. I ask that you understand your neighbor. Let the Lawrence County CTC be the change you want to see in the world.
If you want to stand together for social justice, so do I!
If you want to stand together for respect of our armed services, so do I!
If you want to stand together in respect for first responders, so do I!
If you want to stand and be part of the solution, so do I!
If you want to love your neighbor and help your neighbor, so do I!
I ask at this time that you rise. Individually you are but a link. Together we form a chain. I ask that you link your arms together in a chain of Unity. Please rise, link arms, and remain standing for the national anthem!
Officer Zach Priesel's Address:
Law Enforcement Code of Honor
On my honor, I will never betray my badge,
My integrity, my character or the public trust.
I will always have the courage to hold myself
And others accountable for our actions.
I will always uphold the constitution,
My community, and the agency I serve.
This is the oath that I, along with all of my brothers and sisters in blue, all began our careers with. I know, firsthand, the good that can come from what we do, but I also know that the majority of that is overshadowed by the actions of some.
To quote Erin Gruwell, "Don't let the actions of a few determine the way you feel about an entire group; remember, not all Germans were Nazis."
We all need to start being more compassionate and understanding toward one another. Violence doesn't cure violence, and hate doesn't cure hate. I just want everyone in this room to know that we are here to protect and serve the community -- no matter what race, religion, color, or creed. We are here to be a resource to anyone who may call upon us.
I know that I can speak for more than just myself when I say that we take great pride in what we do for a living, and there is no greater satisfaction than being able to help someone when we are called upon.
I just want to let everyone know that we are here to help, and no one should ever be afraid to approach myself or a fellow Officer.
Thank you, and I hope you have a blessed day.
Mrs. Julie Getting's Address:
I'm the proud mother of a fallen marine, Cpl. Albert
Gettings. Albert was so outraged about
September 11th, he decided to join the Marines and help our country fight
terrorism. He was a true patriot and warrior.
Albert went on two tours, he was in Afghanistan guarding the
embassy in 2004 and then in 2005, he went to Iraq.
While Albert was in Afghanistan, we would talk and email back
and forth. In an email I received from him on October 28, 2004, Albert responded
to my views about the 2004 presidential debate: "We, as Americans, take
for granted our freedom, such as the freedom to teach kids in school. Our freedom was challenged on 9/11. Hopefully we don't get attacked on a scale
like that again."
On January 5, 2006, my family's world changed. My son was
killed in action fighting terrorists in Iraq.
He gave it his all and saved his squad.
He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with a Combat V, little
did we know that it would take 11 years to recognize the courage and sacrifice
Albert made that day. We were given the
Silver Star this July by General Dunford-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
I want to quote what General Dunford said at the ceremony:
Sometimes when you talk about traditions in the Marine Corps, you think
of physical things. You think of the
fact that you stand when the Marines' hymn is played. You think of the fact
that officers eat last. These are all important traditions to our Corps, and
they help to distinguish us to the outsider. On a night like this, surrounded
by marines from the 2/6, I think you understand that the most important
traditions in our Corp, they're not the physical things. They're the intangibles. They're the things we talk about: courage,
honor, commitment, loyalty, self sacrifice.
I agree with General Dunford about the intangible core
values. We need to be held accountable for our actions, change our
attitude-forget blaming one another. We
will stand locked arm in arm to show we are united not divided as a country.
I will leave you with a quote that I sent to my son:
"The practice of
forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the
world."Marianne Williamson
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