Committed to Excellence: NTHS Adviser Award
by Riley Leonard, RT senior
Hard work is often always rewarded. With most activities, in order to achieve success, it takes drive and dedication to the task at hand, and Mrs. Pasterik is someone who has never backed down from a challenge!
Recently, Mrs. Pasterik received recognition for being an adviser of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS)!
“It’s awesome to be recognized for 22 years of service,” reflects Mrs. Pasterik. “It tells me that an organization like NTHS truly cares about each individual chapter and the people who are associated with it.”
STUDENT APPRECIATION
While this award from NTHS is significant, it is the love from her students that is most impressive.
“I respect Mrs. Pasterik! Students can talk to her about anything and she will give them the honest truth which is what we really need,” admires Julia Williams, senior Health Assistant. “Whether it’s NTHS, Peer Leadership, Yearbook, or in her classroom, Mrs. Pasterik puts her all into everything she does. She really just wants the best for her students.”
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Mrs. Pasterik was a founding member of the Chapter here at the LCCTC. As the rigor of the school adjusted, she has been instrumental in raising expectations Today, the Lawrence County Chapter of NTHS looks for students with a GPA 3.5 or higher, outstanding attendance, and great vocational and academic attitude.
Jessalyn Kray, senior Restaurant Trades student has been able to learn a lot from Mrs. Pasterik’s example. “She treats her students respectfully, and helps them in any way she can; she teaches us how to be by demonstrating how we should be. When students don’t understand, she works with them until they get it; she teaches us to never give up by showing us how to never give up and she works hard until it’s all over.”
DEDICATION
When asked how long she wants to continue to inspire and lead the students in NTSH, she replies with a smile, “I’m hoping to continue as the adviser until I retire, and I’m not quite ready to do that.” This truly demonstrates her commitment to encouraging academic, vocational, and personal success -- a commitment that has truly raised the bar for hundreds graduates and current students throughout the year!
“She's such an amazing teacher and is always willing to give of her time to help a student understand their lessons before or after school and even during her own personal lunch,” states Tabatha Zang, senior Veterinarian Assistant.
MEMORABLE
During her years as the NTHS adviser, there have been plenty of amazing moments. Mrs. Pasterik recalls:
“There have been many wonderful memories to choose from, but a funny one was most memorable. About 18-20 years ago, there was a young lady reading a part of the ceremony when she had a panic attack saying ‘I can’t see. I can’t see. Oh my goodness I’m blind!’
Thankfully, one of our other members stepped in and finished the speech for her while he had his arm around her calming her down. It wasn’t funny at the time, but after, it was hilarious — even to the young girl.”
This occasion showed the girl’s commitment to Mrs. Pasterik to try her very best -- even to the point of extreme stress; it also showed the character of the young man who stepped up to help in the perfect way at the perfect time.
ADVICE
Although NTHS isn't for everybody, with that in mind Mrs. Pasterik says, “My advice to all students is work hard and to strive for that goal. If you make NTHS, that’s a feather in your cap, but if you don’t, that’s okay -- you are doing things that will make you your very best self in the end, and for that we are still proud of you!”
An extremely hard-working teacher who is always willing to help the student body at the LCCTC, Mrs. Pasterik is an incredible educator. We can be confident that Mrs. Pasterik will continue to work hard and make sure that the students she inspires on a day-to-day basis become the amazing students she know we can be! Congratulations on the recognition of your service to the National Technical Honor Society.
*According to NTHS.org, the National Technical Honor Society is a honor society for career and technical students of workforce vocational education institutions in the United States. There are many requirements to get into The NTHS. The members should be good, honest, responsible student-citizens who have made a personal goal to excellence and who agree to uphold the NTHS Standards of Conduct. The students who are inducted must also attain and maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale to remain in good standing. These requirements encourage students to think before they act and work hard to continue their affiliation.*
