Another New Addition: Mrs. Costello in Vet Assistant by Suzanne Bowser

LCCTC is proudly to welcome another amazing addition to our school family, Mrs. Katie Costello, the new Vet Assistant teacher. Oddly enough, her career here started when she came in to talk to the students about dog training; Mrs. Yanak saw something in her and encouraged her to apply to co-teach the ever-growing shop, so that same day she applied for the position.

As a new teacher, she notes that she looks forward to expanding her knowledge to include teaching methods to teach students about what she is very proud of: taking care/training animals. She loves animals and feels strongly about helping students learn how to properly groom, train, and grow in their future careers.

She began as a dog trainer at a K-9 campus and now she is here, bringing a well-rounded aspect to the Vet Assistant shop, and according to the students we ask, doing a fantastic job, as well!

As more and more each day, her students think highly of her and absolutely love her kind of teaching that she brings to their shop. They go on to say that she is absolutely amazing and that they are proud to say that she brings a lot more to their education.

Mrs. Costello’s favorite quote is by Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” We here at LCCTC are certain that as a Vet Assistant teacher, she will be able to do just that -- in a most positive way!

A New Addition to LCCTC: Mr. Kelly by Suzanna Bowser

LCCTC is happy to announce that we have a new Construction trades teacher, TJ Kelly. Born and raised in New Castle, after graduation he attended Cal-U where he played for the California Vulcan;s football team. After leaving New Castle, he decided to come back to his hometown to join the union to work as a carpenter, teach students carpentry and coach the football team.

Why did he choose to be a teacher at LCCTC? This was his response: “Teaching is cool! Of course we get summers off, and we get holidays off, but I also get to teach students how to build their own house and how to do it properly. It’s a bonus that I get to teach amazing kids who have a bit of a crazy side, little like me!”

Mr. Kelly brings to the table fifteen years as a carpenter, and in this time, he has helped build a lot of exclusive buildings, schools and hospitals, and even just some of his own crazy projects. He enjoys this profession very much and takes much pride in it. In his words: “It's more of a hobby than anything.”

Mr. Kelly lives by this quote ~ ”Give it all, all the time!”

Hershey Bound! ~ Chris Ward

District 10 Gold Medalists from LCCTC
"We're going to Hershey!"

Time is quickly approaching!  Our SkillsUSA state competitors are getting ready to show their best work.  On April 18th, a bus full of LCCTC students and their advisers will travel to Hershey, PA for a three-day-whirlwind of competitions, great food, and a whole lot of fun!

LCCTC sends good luck wishes to the following SkillsUSA District 10 gold medalists and state competitors:

LCCTC's District 10 Gold Medalists:

• Jason Ealy - Automotive Service Technology
• Trevor Cunningham - CNC Technician
• Noah Skelley - Electrical Construction Wiring
• Candace Hammond - Employment Application Process
• Shelby Leasure - First Aid/CPR
• Skylar Schultz - Health Occupations Professional Portfolio
• Calvin Lample - Masonry
• Kaitlyn Heeter - Nurse Assisting
• Dayuna Ware, Krista Berkley, Felicity Weir, Trenton Yale, Jaden Locke, Tristyn Gravatt, and Tabatha Zang - Opening and Closing Ceremonies
• Carlee Stoner - Technical Computer Applications

SkillsUSA State Competitors of LCCTC:

• Blu Bartle - Promotional Bulletin Board
• Makenna Braniff - Promotional Bulletin Board
• Wyatt Butler - Welding Fabrication
• Aaron Dilling - Welding Fabrication
• Devin Dilling - Welding Sculpture
• Stormy Fiello - Chapter Display
• Noah James - Industrial Motor Control
• Haliegh Lee - Promotional Bulletin Board
• Cody Marks - Chapter Display
• Nick Neupauer - Chapter Display
• Jacob Ponziani - Welding Fabrication
• Shay Stanley - Promotional Bulletin Board

Staff vs. Student Volleyball Game 2018

Mr. Orelli starts the game!

The play gets intense!

One of Haileigh's expert serves!  Better duck, staff!

Gathering points, Trenton!

Keeping the ball in play!

Intense play!

Though the students fought hard, the staff, once again, prevailed.  Great game!

Rise Presentations: March 8, 2018 Compiled by Kaitlyn Heeter & Shelby Leasure

We would like to thank the following post-secondary schools and career institutions who presented during our RISE program on March 8th:

• Carpenter's Apprenticeship Training
• Art Institute of Pittsburgh
• New Castle School of Trades
• United States Navy
• Lawrence County EMS
• Pittsburgh Technical College
• UPMC Jameson Nursing
• Slippery Rock University
• Butler County Community College
• Laurel Technical Institute

Name: Scott Burgin
Grade 10
Shop: RT
Home School: New Castle

The speakers coming to LCCTC showed me that I have many options upon graduation. I learned that college is worth attending, and that having a post secondary education is important. Because I have a few years until I graduate, I have time to consider my future path.







Name: Cassie Brown
Grade: 11
Shop: Cosmetology
Home School:  Union

I enjoyed the experience of learning about schools because it gave me more of an outlook on my career, and it also gave me more information on options for my future. When I graduate, I anticipate to go into the welding field and would like to pursue underwater welding. I’d also like to work part-time in a salon as a cosmetologist.






Name: Lauren Robison
Grade: 11
Shop: Vet Assistant
Home School: Mohawk

Since the post secondary schools came to LCCTC, I learned what opportunities there are and what colleges I could potentially attend. I also learned that many students change their majors in their first year at college. After graduation, I’m planning on going for my vet assistant certification.






Name: Brandon Bright
Grade: 10
Shop: HA
Home School: Mohawk

I enjoyed hearing the speakers talk about the field I am interested in. It was neat to hear about the opportunities for employment in the area. Our speaker from the UPMC Jameson School of Nursing explained all of the tasks nurses do to impact someone else’s life. Another session I enjoyed was the EMS speaker. I especially enjoyed learning about becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). I was intrigued while learning the different situations that occur on an ambulance. I learned about different degrees that I could earn and how long it takes to complete a nursing program. After I graduate, I anticipate to attend BC3 for their RN program. Then, I hope to work in an emergency room with trauma patients. I would also like to look into becoming a flight transport nurse and attend live accidents.





Name: Kyle Michels
Grade: 11
Shop: Machine Tool Tech
Home School: Ellwood

From listening to the speakers who made their appearance at LCCTC, I had the chance to learn about different branches of the military. It opened my eyes to the many experiences I can encounter. After graduation, I intend on joining the Navy or Airforce.





Name: Wyatt Butler
Grade: 11
Shop: Welding
Home School: Lincoln Park High School

From this experience, I enjoyed listening and hearing about the opportunities that I can endure after graduation. I also enjoyed that the speakers informed us about school and life after graduation. I intend to take my steamfitters test and starting a five year apprenticeship upon graduation.





Name: Kelli Heeter
Grade: 10
Shop: Cosmetology
Home School: Mohawk

I particularly enjoyed this experience because it gave me information on different choices of schools after graduation. I also learned about the New Castle School of Trades, a potential selection upon graduating. After graduation, I plan to attend a trade school.





Name: Steve Akins
Grade: 10
Shop: Electrical Occupations
Home School: Laurel

I enjoyed the opportunity to listen to speakers talk about different college opportunities. I had the chance to learn about many schools and their programs. After graduation, I plan to go to the Ellwood City Forge to work as a maintenance electrician




Name: Kyleigh Johnson
Grade: 12
Shop: Vet Assistant
Home School: New Castle

I enjoyed the speakers that came to LCCTC because I had the chance to become informed about schools like the New Castle School of Trades. I learned about different trades and careers that I could pursue. After graduation, I plan on attending the Veterinarian Technical Institute for vet technician.






Name: Devin Dittmer
Grade: 11
Shop: Auto Tech
Home School: Laurel

I enjoyed this experience because it gave me a bigger outlook, and showed me the opportunities for colleges. I learned about the different programs I could attend at many different colleges. After graduating, I intend to become an automotive technician






Name: Makenna Braniff
Grade:12
Shop: COT
Home School: Neshannock

Having the chance to listen to a speaker about colleges and trade schools gave me the opportunity to learn more about colleges. It helped me think about my future. I learned that the Art Institute of Pittsburgh is more than it seems to be. Although I had intentions of attending Pittsburgh Technical College in the fall, this has given me a new outlook on other schools.






Name: Devin Dilling
Grade: 11
Shop: Welding
Home: School: Mohawk

I enjoyed this experience because it expanded my horizons and made me think about what I want to do after high school. I learned a lot from the speakers, including how New Castle School of Trades is adding more time to their welding classes. I also learned that I can now take night classes while attending the school. Lastly, I learned that the Navy is more complicated than I first imagined, and deployment is only a 6 month interval. After graduation, I am considering going into the Steamfitters 6 year program.





Name: Jaden Locke
Grade: 11
Shop:COT
Home School: Ellwood

I enjoyed the experience of having speakers come to LCCTC because it gave me the opportunity to learn more about the post secondary school I would like to attend. I learned that the Pittsburgh Technical College has many benefits, including how close to home it’s located! After graduation, I plan to study and pursue a career in video production





Name: Danielle McKinstry
Grade: 10
Shop: Health Assistant
Home School: Mohawk

The speakers that came to our school taught me many things about the many schools in the area. I learned about the hundreds of programs that schools have to offer. After graduation, I want to become a physical therapist, or pursue a career in nursing.





Name: Jacob Vogel
Grade: 12
Shop: Construction Trades
Home School: Wilmington

I enjoyed visiting the guest speakers that came to our school because I got to learn about the different opportunities that I can experience outside of high school. I learned information on a potential school I could attend, the New Castle School of Trades. After graduation, I plan to go into the Carpenter’s Union.

Show a Little Kindness: Keaira's Memorial Fund by Madison Ritter

I am very pleased to have been a part of something so moving and inspirational, not only to me, but to others around me as well. When I heard about the Keaira Fund, as part of the Kindness Club, I didn’t hesitate for a minute to help.



“Keaira’s Fund” was created for Keaira Cunningham, who was tragically lost to suicide. Spearheaded by our local Kindness Club and advised by Ms. Young, a ‘’dress down day’’ was created on Friday, March 9 to gather money to help defray the cost of Keaira’s headstone and to bring awareness to the prevention of Teen Suicide.

On this day, students were permitted to wear sweatpants and/or a hat for one dollar each. Many students purchased yellow ribbon tags for themselves and for others! Along with participating in the dress down, many also gave extra donations, as well. All who wore these slips did so with the greatest intent to show we can all make a positive change. As we distributed the tags, students in the Kindness Club worked to make it known that each student was kindly there to support their fellow classmates, to help in any way they could. Overall, the big picture was to raise money for a great cause, and the Kindness Club did just that and more.

Teen Suicide is an issue that affects the entire globe. According to americanspcc.org, suicide is the third leading cause of death among people ages 10-24. Our Kindness Club advisor and club members care very much about making sure all we know are cherished and appreciated. We dedicated ourselves to try to make even the smallest difference in the lives of others.

Being in this club taught me so many valuable lessons -- most of all, it’s taught me that we need to show kindness in this world. We all have experienced the great rewards from helping others, and the feeling we get when we help someone is a remarkable, overwhelming sense of joy, happiness, and wholesomeness -- especially with this last project we recently completed.

At the end of the day, we gathered $400.00 in donations. This is an incredible amount for us to collect, and it is a testament to the generosity of our school. The donations completely exceeded our expectations, and showed us how much of a difference we can make in someone's life.

Keaira’s family was very thankful that we were able to contribute toward the fund, personally thanking us “for the generosity.” They also appreciated how much of a big push for ‘’Teen Suicide Prevention’’ LCCTC provided.

Keaira’s family asks that we continue to urge others to spread kindness to each other in the hopes to find that all know there is a friend in everyone. Although we completed the project to bring a little light to a world sometimes filled with darkness, we are forever dedicated to furthering our work in raising awareness and making a change for Keaira, her family, and the world around us.

Daffodil Day ~ Emily Granata

The Daffodil serves as a symbol of hope for cancer patients that a cure will be found. This year, the American Cancer Society will bring these symbols of hope back through, with the Daffodil Days campaign. What better way to put a smile on the face of someone you care for and at the same time put hope in the hearts of cancer patients?

As prepare to welcome in spring, the season brings thoughts of hope, and life, and flowers. With this in mind, the American Cancer Society gives us a chance to support cancer patients in their battle to fight this disease. Starting back in the 1970’s, the Society started began the campaign, Daffodil Days, where people could donate money to send daffodils to cancer patients across the country. Almost 50 years later, the Cancer Society continues this fight.

As you see these daffodils delivered to staff and students alike, think about what their sunny yellow faces symbolize. Remember the hope that tomorrow CAN be a reality for those with cancer.