SkillsUSA Honors Veterans in the Parade

Members of SkillsUSA from Lawrence County Career and Technical Center (LCCTC) took part in the annual Veterans Day Parade, where they had the honor of thanking local veterans along the parade route. representing the LCCTC chapter were Liz Donegan (Vet Assistant junior), Jhenavesza Miller (Electrical Occupations senior), Alyssa Corbin (Health Assistant senior), and the members of this year’s Opening and Closing Team: seniors Lynnden Cummins(Management Information Systems) and Ava King (Commercial Arts); juniors Kayla Fischer (Cosmetology), Laela Kinneston (Electrical Occupations), Maddie Peoples (Gas and Oil), and Juanita Glidden (Carpentry — marching with the New Castle Band as a Candy Cane), and sophomore Karmalita Douglas (Health Assistant). This meaningful experience was made possible through an invitation from Hugh Coryea, president of the Vietnam Agent Orange Project (VAOP), who arranged for the students to join him and other veterans for a hearty breakfast before the parade.

The gathering took place at the Loyal Order of the Moose in New Castle, where the group enjoyed a delicious breakfast of coffee, orange juice, eggs, sausage, hash browns, and donuts. In addition to fueling up for the parade, the students had the opportunity to converse with several distinguished veterans in attendance, including LCCTC Hall of Fame recipient and VFW National Surgeon General Ruth Fraser Fairchild, who shared some words of encouragement: “Just go for it.”

A particularly moving moment came when Lieutenant Carol Sherman-McVicker, a Vietnam veteran and the mother of one of the SkillsUSA assistant advisors, was honored with a pinning ceremony for her service, led by Mr. Coryea. The ceremony served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by all veterans.

Once the breakfast concluded, the group headed to the starting line of the parade. Along the way, they paused for photos with various groups, including students and staff from LCCTC, Lawrence County Commissioners Chris Sainato and Dan Kennedy, members of the K-Dogs Kids Mission Lawrence Chapter, Victory Assembly, and the StarBound Entertainment Lady Liberty Float — which was proudly carried on dollies constructed by LCCTC’s Welding Program students.

As they made their way along the parade route, SkillsUSA members greeted veterans by identifying them through their hats and clothing, offering warm smiles, handshakes, and flags — a heartfelt gesture of gratitude sponsored by the Vietnam Agent Orange Project. The flags and greetings were a small but meaningful way to show appreciation for the veterans' service and dedication.

The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring those who served in the military, and SkillsUSA members were grateful to be part of such a special occasion.

The members of SkillsUSA and all of us at Lawrence County CTC would like to thank our nation’s veterans for their service.