County vo-tech school students earn diplomas
BUTLER TWP — Nearly 300 students coming from every school district in Butler County received their diplomas Monday evening from Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School.
The school's awards ceremony recognized students in each of the 15 programs who completed their credit requirements, which earned a lot of them certifications that will allow them to enter a skilled labor job immediately.
Regina Hiler, executive director of the vo-tech, said during the ceremony that the graduating students have earned the knowledge that will give them opportunities in their chosen fields in the coming years — and their options, thanks to their completion, are varied.
"Power is competency, ability or potential," Hiler said. “You will receive a certificate of completion, participation or excellence from Butler County vo-tech. The question is, what’s next?”
Butler Area High School senior Niven Hay, who received his certificate in heavy equipment repair, was honored as student of the year and received the Phillip Hay Award for excellence in heavy equipment repair.
Hay told the audience that it was his grandfather who first gave him an interest in heavy equipment and inspired him to follow his dreams.
“My pap has taught me a lot, ever since I was a little kid sitting on his lap running equipment with him,” Niven said. “I cannot stress that enough to people in this school — follow your dreams and hard work.”
Niven’s father, Phil Hay, presented him with the award, donated by Phil Hay & Sons Inc. Niven said his father is the one who gave him the opportunities to work with machinery throughout his youth.
Hay said the school is powered by a knowledgeable staff who are able to mold students, who are normally untrained in their programs, into professionals ready for the workforce.
“As a business owner and employer in this community, all you instructors, teachers, staff at BCVATS need a round of applause for what you do,” he said.
Among students receiving scholarship awards at the ceremony were Natalie Smith, of Butler high, Wil Morrow Memorial Scholarship; Kylee Schellman, of Seneca Valley, Cierra Burrows Memorial Scholarship; Michael Venesky, of Knoch, Butler Area Street Machine Association Scholarship; Brendan Tristani, of Knoch, Butler County Manufacturing Consortium Award.
Brett Hildebrand, of Butler, and Rachel Kremmel, of Seneca Valley, BCAVTS Persistence Award; and Isabella Steele-Haller, of Karns City, Daniel James Abbott Memorial Scholarship Award.
Receiving Challenge Awards were Ty Schoentag, of Karns Cityl, academic excellence; Colton Cravenor, of Butler, in academic improvement; David Blair, of Karns City, for attendance; Brittany Crissman, of Karns City, for community service; and Jennifer Cichra, of Butler, for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
