Hall of Fame Banquet & Reunions Return
This night was a night to reconnect with friends and family — a night to return to stroll down the hallways filled with fond memories of days not so long ago and to laugh about stories that began with the phrase, “Remember when…?” It was a night to honor those who once walked those hallways — those who learned a skill, who went out into the world, and who truly “made it.” It was also a night to honor those who taught those skills, guiding so many toward success. It was the third annual LCVT/LCCTC Hall of Fame! This night was a long time coming after a few years of cancellations due to COVID, but return, it did.
This year’s Hall of Fame events began at 4 PM at the “Vo-Tech,” formerly known as Lawrence County Area Vocational Technical School and now renamed Lawrence County Career and Technical Center. Members of the SkillsUSA Opening and Closing Team were on-hand to guide former graduates, returning staff, and their families on a tour of the building. It was noted that some things change and some things stayed the same; for most, it felt like “coming home.”
Festivities moved from the school building to just a bit down the street as graduates and retirees reconnected with familiar friendly faces over hors d'oeuvres at the Cascade Park Pavilion. Hello hugs and laughter pealed over the din of dinner music featuring songs from yesterday. Friends and family enjoyed a delicious catered dinner made by Farone Brothers Catering. Finally, it was time to honor the 4th class into the Hall of Fame.
Of our five inductees, three were able to attend in person. Highlights from their post-induction messages included:
“Our students have an opportunity to make a difference in our society,” stated Roberta Deprospero-Johnson (Cosmetology Class of 1973), “ if only we could get that word out.”
“It isn’t really about me,” stated former budding rock-star turned architect and president of HMC Holdings, LLC, David A. Moyer (Drafting Class of 1988). “This award is about the teachers who got to know the real me beneath the hair. They recognized something in me that I couldn’t recognize in myself. I owe everything to those teachers who said to me that I had the ability to do more.”
Lawrence County Treasurer, Richard L Rapone (Distributive Education Class of 1978) stated, “Vo Tech gave me the opportunity to explore fields that were interesting to me. For me, it was following a passion to work in customer service and sales. Much of my success comes back to what I learned at Vo Tech, and I’m glad I had the courage to explore this path.”
Of the two inductees who were unable to attend, the audience celebrated their accomplishments, as well. Cynthia Joyce Wallace currently works as a nursing instructor teaching BSN/ADN students at Galen College of Nursing in St. Petersburg, Florida. Ray Topolosky, Welding Class of 1976, is currently helping to rebuild after the recent hurricane in Florida. Please see the photos at the end of this article which highlight the many accomplishments over the course of their careers.
Though open to all graduates, the Cascade Park pavilion welcomed the following classes who gathered to celebrate the years that have passed since their graduation: 50 years ~ 1972; 30+2 (due to COVID) ~ 1990; 20 years ~ 2002; 15 years ~ 2007; and 10 years ~ 2012.
The evening festivities were followed by a DJ who played song after song from yesteryear while the sunny skies outside gave way to the twinkling stars of night. It was clear to see that a great time was had by all.
The Hall of Fame Committee would like to thank this year’s sponsors for their generous support and encourages all friends and family to patronize these businesses whenever the opportunity arises :
• Blank Concrete & Supply
• UB Trucking
• Noga Ambulance Service Inc.
• Cazzco Screen Printing
• G.O. Crivelli Automotive
• Bruce & Merrilees
• J & J Enterprises Inc.
• LCVT-EA (Lawrence County Vocational Technical Education Association) Teachers Union.
• Armor Manufacturing Inc.
• Phill Fitts Ford-Lincoln
• Anderson Bros. Tool Co., Inc.
• MCM Insurance Services (Lawrence County)
• Ron Dunn Insurance Agency (Allegheny County)
• Zelasco Insurance Agency (Beaver County)
• ISG Butler County Group Benefits Office
We encourage you to consider these partners in education whenever you might need their expertise, and we thank them for their support of our event and of our graduates.
If you’re interested in becoming a partner with LCCTC, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact our director’s office at: (724) 653-3583 ext. 7101 Director Leonard A. Rich
