Senior Banquet Awards Dinner 2022

This was the class who came to us in their sophomore year. They got a taste of what our LCCTC community was like – the Holiday Dance, parades, Christmas activities, Blood Drives, and District Championships for both FFA and SkillsUSA, World of Wheels field trips, and Archery competitions – though the ominous cloud of uncertainty hung over their heads in news reports.  Then – on a sunny Friday the 13th in March, just after they all went home for a typical spring weekend, they found that it would be the final time they attended school in their sophomore year.  No state competition; it was canceled. No prom; it was canceled. No Student vs Staff volleyball game, no Stick Up 4 Paws, no Car Smash, no Shop Games, no final days of shop parties – no nothing. Yet – they still returned for their junior year – to social distancing and masks and more canceled events and more unwanted lockdowns – yet, they persevered. This year was their first “normal” year and now they were seniors.  Never having learned to lead by the example of those who went before them, they paved their own way. They demonstrated what it was like to “Be here.”  They showed the underclassmen what it meant to “Be ready.”  They learned what it means to “Be respectful and Be safe,” but they learned it, and now, it was time to celebrate their successes.  

Recently, the seniors of the Class of 2022 were honored at their Senior Class Banquet.  Here are the highlights of the evening:  

SCHOLARSHIPS:

  • The Senior Class Officers (earning honor cords in the class colors) brought you Fall Flannel Fest, the Holiday Dance, the Leadership Symposium, and the Timeless Treasure Prom were successes due to your diligent hard work and fun-loving influence.  

    • President Alexis Koelliker (Shenango, Cos)

    • Vice President Maylene Ritter (Ellwood, Cos)

    • Secretary Amber Miller (Mohawk, MTT)

    • Treasure Natalie Foster (Ellwood, RT)

  • Master of Ceremonies, Director Rich captured the audience’s attention with a few and even did a little Cupid Shuffle!  

  • Kaitlyn Bober (Laurel, VA) was presented the Jack Butz Scholarship and found that she had earned the top award of $5,000!  

  • The Phil Phelps Award, named after the founder of LCCTC and celebrating both academic and vocational excellence, was next; nominated were Mackenzie Helle (Union, CA), Kaitlyn Bober, Kya Locke (Ellwood, RT), Jocelyn Masajada (New Castle, COT), Tyler McCullar (Laurel, VA), Dante Giardo (Ellwood, RT), and Joseph Leonard (Wilmington, COT) were the distinguished nominees with the final award going to Joseph Leonard of COT and Jocelyn Masajada.

  • The Lawrence County Coordinating Council & PSEA Scholarship, earned through an application/essay process and a rigorous interview, was presented to Kaitlyn Bober.

  • The Wilson-Moffat Scholarship, dedicated in memory of Patricia “Patty” Binodi Wilson, was awarded to Halie Diffenbacher (Mohawk, HA) with best wishes for her continuing education in the field of Health Services.

  • Mrs. Maria Haynes presented the PSEA-NEA Scholarship next.  But first, she read a section of the essays written by the awardees that answered the question “What did you get out of Lawrence County CTC?”  

    • “LCCTC has allowed me to grow and follow my dreams of what I want to be when I grow up.  This school has inspired to become who I truly want to be as an adult and has given me the courage to face my future.”  ~ Amber Miller

    • “I wanted to take full advantage of my last three years of high school . . . LCCTC was the perfect opportunity for me in the Veterinary Assistant program.” ~ Katie Bober

    • “My teachers have constantly encouraged me to advance my education and put myself in professional environments.  They’ve required me to work under tight deadlines and have only accepted the finest work I can produce . . . Being at LCCTC helped me understand my own potential, and I will always be grateful for the personable interactions and direction I have gotten here.” ~ Jessica Wrobleski (Union CA)

  • When most students are slowing down, these students pushed forward and are ending their senior year finishing strong, these students earned the Strong Finish Award:  Breana Miller (Ellwood, CA), Cody Freeman (New Castle, OG), Zach Penwell (Shenango, EO), and Cabraya Matthews (New Castle, VA).

KEYSTONE RECOGNITION 

  • Mr. Rich recognized seniors who had achieved proficiency on one or more of their Keystone Standardized Tests:  Present were:  

    • Lucellia Allen (New Castle, RT)

    • Shawn Barr (Shenango, Wel)

    • Hunter Biddle (Ellwood, Wel)

    • Amber Miller

    • Kaitlyn Bober

    • Collin Callahan (New Castle, Wel)

    • Aislynn Collette (New Castle, Cos)

    • Halie Diffenbacher

    • Donovan Ellis (Neshannock, EO)

    • Cody Freeman

    • Timothy Fishel (Laurel, EO)

    • Maximus Franksain (Ellwood, EO)

    • Camden Franzen (Ellwood, CR)

    • Hayleigh Graham, (Shenango, HA)

    • Jennifer Graham (New Castle, HA)

    • Joseph Greco (New Castle, Wel)

    • Madison Guntrum (Shenango OG)

    • Mackenzie Helle 

    • Briana Hernandez (New Castle, RT)

    • Alexis Koelliker

    • Jon Kulinski (New Castle, CT)

    • Joseph Leonard

    • Zackary Penwell

    • Zachary Polojac (Ellwood City, OG)

    • Gionna Regna (New Castle, CA)

    • Lyz Manana (New Castle, VA)

    • Jocelyn Masajada

    • Shay McCormick (Neshannock, Cos)

    • Breana Miller

    • Maylene Ritter

    • Alberto Rodriguez-Fernandez (New Castle, RT)

    • Kimberlee Rumbaugh (Laurel, Cos)

    • Dakota Schlemmer, (Ellwood, EO)

    • Lanna Schultz (Mohawk, VA)

    • Kayla Sinagra (New Castle, HA)

    • Donavin Stiffler (Ellwood, EO)

    • Serenity Talley (New Castle, CA)

    • Dianna Troutman (New Castle, VA)

    • Daniella Wetzel (New Castle, RT)

    • Madison Wheeler (Laurel, HA)

    • Jasmine Wrobleski (Union, CA)

    • Eli Yarborough (Ellwood, Cot)

  • Earning an Advanced score on their Keystones are:

    • Biology:  Kaitlyn Bober & Eli Yarborough

    • Algebra:  Kaitlyn Bober

SKILLSUSA SIGNING DAY COMMITMENTS

  • The following will proudly wear SkillsUSA Signing Day commemorative medals at graduation for working diligently to commit to a place of employment, a college or technical school, or branch of the military: 

    • Lucellia Allen ~ IUP

    • Amber Miller ~ YSU

    • Shawn Barr ~ ADG Fabrication, LLC

    • Hunter Biddle ~ JadCo

    • Kaitlyn Bober ~ CalU

    • Halie Diffenbacher ~ BC3

    • Timothy Fishel ~ OVR

    • Paul Gess (Ellwood City, Wel) ~ US Navy

    • Hayleigh Graham ~ Hollywood Casino

    • Jennifer Graham ~ PTC

    • Madison Guntrum ~ Mercyhurst

    • Jaydarae Haswell (Mohawk, CA) ~ McDonalds

    • Alexis Koelliker ~ Hampton Inn & Suites

    • Lyz manana ~ Kent State University

    • Joshua Maggie (Neshannock, Weld) ~ Ellwood Specialty Steel

    • Matthew Mohrman (Union, RT)

    • Zac Polojac ~ VEKA Inc.

    • Alexis Pulliam (Wilmington, HA) ~ Penn State Behrend

    • Maylene Ritter ~ Beauty and the Boutique

    •  Alberto Rodriguez-Fernandez ~ McDonald’s

    • Dominic Smith (New Castle, EO) ~ Central Heating & Plumbing

    • Diana Troutman ( New Castle, VA) ~ Vet Tech Institute

    • Daniella Wetzel ~ BC3

    • Jasmine Wrobleski ~ BC3

SHOP AWARDS AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION

  • Mr. Milanovich presented an award to Aiden Skultety (New Castle, Wel) for his outstanding achievement in personal and professional attitude.

  • Inducted by Mr. DeRosa (CA Instructor), the Mark Makers Guild is made of the highest achieving and hardest working artists of the Commercial Arts Program at LCCTC.  These inductees have achieved a final grade of 90% or higher in the program, completed all program requirements, earned a 95% or higher on their portfolios, and scored advanced on their NOCTI Certification.  This year’s inductees are Mackenzie Helle and Jasmine Wrobleski; they earn hand-made brushes from Mr. DeRosa and will have one work of art added to the LCCTC Commercial Art Permanent collection which will be featured in the halls of our school inspiring future students to achieve as they have.

  • Mrs. Jones (CA) formally introduced the Cosmetology students who have reached their 1,250 hours in cosmetology making them eligible for their state boards: 

    • Kaitlynne Burk (Union), Jessica Fair (Wilmington), Jordan Flowers (Union), Alexis Koelliker, Shay McCormick (Neshannock), Maylene Ritter, and Kimberlee Rumbaugh

    • Star of the Class/Student of the Year (not eligible for state boards because she started in her junior year) is Skye Moore (New Castle) for her outstanding grades (including an advanced on NOCTI), attitude, poise and maturity.  

  • Kurt Miller (MTT Instructor) presented a hand-crafted plaque to his graduating class in Machine Tool Tech

  • Awards for outstanding work in Computer and Office Technology were given to the COT students.

  • Mr Parsons (OG Instructor) presented the Oil and Gas Work Ethic Award on behalf of the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association to Madison Guntrum

  • Mrs Yanak (VA Instructor) presented several different awards to the Veterinary Assistant seniors:

    • FFA Cords (gold):  Kaitlyn Bober, Lita Frishkorn (New Castle), Lanna Schultz, and Dianna Troutman

    • Gift of Blue:  Kaitlyn Bober, Lita Frishkorn, and Diana Troutman

    • FFA State Competition at Penn State in June:  Kaitlyn Bober (Horse Evaluation), Kanna Schultz (State Employment Skills & Veterinary Science), and Lita Frishkorn (Veterinary Science & Senior Prepared Speech)

    • Paw Print Award for earning more than 50 Animal Care Technology Certifications:  Kaitlyn Bober (55), Lanna Schultz (51), and Dianna Troutman (54)

    • Fear Free Certification Pin:  Katie Bober, Tyler McCullar and Dianna Troutman

    • Purina Daily Nutrition Matters 101 (coffee mug), 201 (journal), and 301 (Travel Bag):  Katie Bober, Tyler McCullar, Lanna Schultz, and Dianna Troutman

    • Tails of Hope Scholarship & Log Sheets

  • Mr. Pavia (HA Instructor) recognized the following HA students who are certified Nursing Assistants on the Pennsylvania Registry:  Halie Diffenbacher, Keiarra Gibbons (New Castle), Jennifer Graham, and Madison Wheeler (Laurel, HA)

    • These students have completed the CNA course and are eligible to take the Nurse Aid exam: Hayleigh Graham, Parker Frelin, Ayeesha Waters (Union), Angelina Walker (New Castle), Amiyah Burcham (New Castle), Gia Moore (New Castle), Alexis Pulliam, and Kayla Sinagra

  • Mrs. Pasterik presented the Peer Leaders with their honor cords (blue and white); she highlighted a few of the many accomplishments over the past 3 years, in spite of a pause in their experience ~ donated 100 blankets to the United Way, raised $3,800 for families in need at Christmas, raised $2,500 to assist families who endured fires and accidents, ran campaigns for Wounded Warriors Project and donated over $300, and have packed Food Pantry items and gathered basic necessities for the LCCT Linnen Closets to benefit student needs. These students earn graduation cords:  Lucellia Allen, Donovan Ellis, Dan Fornataro (Ellwood, MTT), Parker Frelin, Alexis Koelliker, Jocelyn Masajada, Maylene Ritter, Kimberlee Rumbaugh, Daniella Wetzel, and Jacob Ierace.

  • Members of the National Technical Honor Society were also recognized and given honor cord (purple and white)s:  Amber Miller, Kaitlyn Bober, Halie Diffenbacher, Natalie Foster, Jennifer Graham, Kya Locke, Joseph Leonard, Jocelyn Masajada, Skye Moore, Parker Frelin, Maylene Ritter, Daniella Wetzel, and Eli Yarborough.

  • Mr. Goebel, Mrs. McVicker, and Mrs. Weisenstein presented SkillsUSA members with red, white, and blue honor cords:  Amber Miller, Briana Hernandez, Jessica Fair, Kya Locke, David Perrine, Skye Moore, Halie Diffenbacher, Mackenzie Helle, Daniel Fornataro, Antonio Short, Devin Purdy, Hunter Biddle, Joseph Greco, Dillon Wheaton, and Donovan Ellis

    • The following senior SkillsUSA members also received honor cords and will be competing at SkillsUSA National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia in June.

      • Opening and Closing Team:  Lucellia Allen, Kaitlyn Bober, Alexis Koelliker, Maylene Ritter, and Daniella Wetzel

      • Health Occupations Portfolio:  Parker Frelin

Carolyn McVickerSenior Awards, Butz