2005 PAVESNP
Life/Work Challenge Award Winner

Annually, PAVESNP recognizes students who has overcome barriers in realizing his/her potential and is a senior enrolled in an approved career and technical education program.  At the Mid-Winter Conference in March the following students were honored:

Life/Work Challenge Student Award


From Left: Marjorie Eckman, PAVESNP Awards Chair; Denise Lorish, Berks CTC - West;
Joseph Boozel, Huntingdon County CTC; Tiffany Stellmacher, Center for Arts and
Technology-Pickering; and Caitlin Ceclia, Berks CTC - East

Denise Lorish is a senior in Information Technology - Applications Program at the Berks Career and Technology Center (BCTC) - West Campus. From a shy and scared tenth grader, Denise gained confidence in her abilities and increased her skill level to the point that she serves as a leader in her shop as well as serving as the president of SkillsUSA. She opted out of co-op to stay in the shop another year and serve as an officer. She ran for SkillsUSA president because she felt the leadership experience could extend her personal growth, foster her independence and provide an opportunity to serve her fellow students. As president, she has participated in various fund raising activities, addressed the student body and serves as a liaison, spokesperson and distributor of Fleetwood Area High School information to the students who also attend BCTC.

Denise works three part-time jobs to help her family, and is involved in working with young people. She has been volunteering since she was eleven years old. She plans to attend Reading Area Community College for general education courses; then transfer to Kutztown University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to pursue a career as a juvenile probation officer. "I hope that by working in this field, I might be able to help other kids with troubled or difficult childhoods to realize that if I can do it, anyone can; and that if they apply themselves and do not ever quit, they can achieve anything."

Denise was nominated by Charlene Fisher, Transition Coordinator. Her instructor at BCTC is James Flannery.

Congratulations Denise!

While attending the Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center (HCCTC), Joseph Boozel was enrolled in the Plumbing and Heating Program. During the three years Joseph was enrolled at HCCTC, he exhibited a "can do" attitude and a superior work ethic. Joey worked well with his fellow classmates both on the job site and in the classroom. The desire to do well in the Plumbing and Heating trade was displayed every day by the effort Joey exerted in order to be successful in his chosen field. He impresses everyone with his work ethic and his personality.

Joey has been a member of SkillsUSA for the past three years. During the 2004-2005 school year, he was elected and served as shop foreman. He has achieved perfect attendance and was student of the month several times at HCCTC; his attendance record at the HCCTC was well above average.

Joey has always been interested in archaeology. Four summers ago, he enrolled in the "Digger in the Park" to discover relics of the past through the archaeology program at Greenwood State Park. By the second day, all of the supervisors were commenting on this outstanding participant. Bright-eyed in the classroom, first to volunteer for any demanding task, intensely involved in discovery, physically tireless and eager to assist others, he set a whole new standard for the neophyte crew. The others seemed to respond happily, because his manner was never intimidating - just upbeat. This behavior never waned throughout that first program and he returned for two subsequent seasons. Though he was not formally a staff member, he was asked, and agreed, to serve as a crew leader for new participants.

Joey has also participated in Disability Mentoring Days at the state and national levels; in 2003, at the US Department of Homeland Security and in 2004, at the US Department of State and at the Career Expo in Harrisburg. Recently, he gave a presentation to the South Huntingdon County School Board detailing his experiences.

Joey’s school activities include Student Council, SADD, distance running and track and field where he is a letterman.

He is looking forward to the next stage in his life, preparing for a career in plumbing. In the fall, he will enroll at Penn College of Technology.

He was nominated by Deborah Meitrott, Learning Support Teacher. Wayne Fagan is his Plumbing and Heating instructor at Huntingdon CTC.

Congratulations Joey!

 

Tiffany Stellmacher is a senior in the Graphic Communications and Printing Technology Program at the Center for Arts and Technology (CAT - Pickering). Tiffany is involved in almost every aspect of school. She was inducted into the National Vocational Technical Honor Society and the National Honor Society during her junior year. She uses her outgoing personality daily as a member of the CAT -Pickering WTEC radio station and has performed in the Creative Arts Club’s theatrical productions. She has served as a peer mediator and a peer mentor and has always been willing to help promote the Graphic Communications Program by speaking with younger students about her love of graphic design, art and writing. She has been a frequent contributor to the school paper, yearbook and poetry journal.

Tiffany has become an independent young woman who is a strong self-advocate and has been a dedicated advocate for other teen females considering non-traditional careers with her participation in the Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology Program. She has been active in the design and production of promotional printing, and has served as a student member of the planning board. She has directly affected the success of this wonderfully innovative program. In addition to her co-curricular activities, Tiffany has been able to keep her grades well above average while working most evenings and weekends at a local retail establishment.

Tiffany is a senior, who is preparing for a career in the Print Communications and Graphic Arts field. She plans to attend Delaware County Community College upon graduation to further her education.

She was nominated for the award by Michelle MacLuckie, Learning Support Teacher. Albert Tucker is her instructor in the Graphic Communications and Printing Technology Program at the school.

Caitlin Celia has been enrolled in the Occupational Child Development Program at Berks Career & Technology Center’s East Campus for the past three years. In the fall, she will begin college majoring in Special Education. Her career goal is to combine her special education background and her love for young children by teaching preschool special needs students. This year, as a participant in the Casperabee Education Program, she works four afternoons a week at the St. Paul’s Day Care Center as a classroom aide in the preschool.

At the age of eight, Caitlin began sewing and continues to make many of her own garments. She has served as a group leader in her 4-H Sewing Club and also has been a state 4-H award winner with her sewing projects. For her Senior Project, she researched premature births and found that many times if the child did not survive, the family had nothing physical associated with the child to hold onto. With the help of her 4-H Sewing Club, she made and distributed "Preemie" blankets to the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit at the Reading Hospital and Medical Center. She used this same project for her 2004 Family Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state project, where she received a gold medal with a score of 99%. She has been very active in her local FCCLA chapter, where she served as a state delegate and local president. She also participates as a member of her high school volleyball team and was chosen athlete of the week this year as well as earning a spot on the county All Star Team, the District 1st Team and the Allstate Team.

Caitlin has a variety of strengths. Her altruism and unwavering integrity represents what is right in our society today. Her unbending loyalty towards family, school, team and friends is unmatched by her peers. She communicates her insights through well thought-out actions. She models a work ethic unparalleled by many in her class. This is noted by her class rank of 37th in a class of 219 students in this year’s graduating senior class at Daniel Boone Area High School.

This nomination was submitted by Lou Ann Snoke, Instructional Assistant. Lou Ann stated, "I have seen few students over the course of my career who have the focus and enthusiasm for learning that Caitlin shows." Susan Scharadin is the Occupational Child Development Instructor at Berks Career and Technology Center.