LCCTC Celebrates the 2023 Hall of Fame Recipients
Saturday, October 14th, graduates, friends and family from Lawrence County Area Vocational Technical School/ Lawrence County Career and Technical Center (LCAVTS/LCCTC) gathered at the Cascade Park Pavillion to celebrate our school’s rich history as it honored this year’s inductees into the Lawrence County CTC Hall of Fame.
Earlier in the evening and dressed in their official SkillsUSA uniforms, members of the Lawrence County Chapter of SkillsUSA Opening and Closing Team assisted alumni and family who returned to our school. As they walked through those familiar hallways of their Alma Mater, they reminisced about the years spent in training and study. Many aspects of the school have remained the same — the general layout is original and the orange, yellow, green, and blue on the doors and lockers are original bring back memories of times well spent, but with the times, much has changed. The lessons in some shops have been absorbed into others to avoid duplication of services, and in some cases, with the advancement of technology and the needs of the community have changed, so have our course offerings.
As we celebrated the Class of 1973 (50 years), the Class of 1998 (25 years), and the Class of 2013 (10 years), four additional members were added to the LCVT/LCCTC Hall of Fame. They are:
Hugh Coryea (Class of 1986) Auto Body
Shane Griffin (Class of 1998) Industrial Electricity (IE#1)
Gretchen Hosler (Class of 1998) Drafting
Branddon Hallowich (Class of 2006) Masonry
Comments made by the attendees credit their alma mater for instilling a sense of work ethic as they continued their different paths. Mr. Coryea continues to honor his father who served during the Vietnam War and works diligently with several different veterans groups to honor those who sacrificed and served their country. Corporal Hallowich also serves his community, but in a different capacity, as a New Castle Policeman; he credits his instructor, Mr. Gary Sperdute, as helping him to meet and exceed expectations for living a good life. Mr. Griffin credits his instructor, Mr. Al Russo, with passing on his work ethic and attention to detail — qualities he uses every day as a journeyman lineman, the highest level achievable. Ms. Hosler has been leading since before graduation, as lead Technical Advisor, Production Control Leader, and Lead Technical Specialist, to name a few of her many titles, though her favorite is being called “Mom”. All were supportively pleased to see that the school continues to produce skilled workers, preparing them to embrace the future with a step ahead.
All in all, over one thousand members have joined the LCVT/LCCTC Hall of Fame Induction & Class Reunion Facebook page. Celebrating a milestone like the Hall of Fame allows each student connected to our school to reconnect and reflect on what their time spent blending their academic and vocational education has meant to them. One day, our current students will, too -- we hope — feel the same.
We’d like to thank the sponsors of the Hall of Fame event — almost two dozen in all:
LOCATED IN NEW CASTLE: Anderson Brothers, Bruce & Merrilees, Castle Asphalt & Construction, Castle Maintenance Products, Central Heating & Plumbing, Forward Lawrence Young Professionals, Fraternal Order of Police, Lawrence County Teacher’s Association, MCM Insurance Services, Phil Fitts Ford, Reed Oil, and GO Crivelli Automotive Inc.
LOCATED IN ELLWOOD: Blank Concrete & Supply, UB Trucking, and The Ellwood Group
LOCATED IN ERIE: C. A. Kurtze Food Service Co.
LOCATED IN NEW WILMINGTON: Cazzco
LOCATED IN NEW MIDDLETOWN: Hitch-Hiker MFG, Inc.
LOCATED IN FREEDOM: J & J Enterprises
LOCATED IN NEW BRIGHTON: Littell Steel Co.
LOCATED IN SAXONBURG: Penn United Technologies
These businesses have been the lifeblood of our school and represent some of the most innovative and successful companies in our area. LCCTC encourages you to actively support our partners in education.
And once again, congratulations to the Class of 2023 Lawrence County CTC Hall of Fame!
The 6th Annual LCVT/LCCTC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is planned for October 2024; for more information about how you can support this event or plan your reunion, please contact the school: (724) 658-3583.
To nominate a LCAVTS/LCCTC graduate for the Hall of Fame, please complete this form: HALL OF FAME FORM , and the HoF Committee will be happy to consider your nomination.