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P-TECH celebrates first Senior Advancement Ceremony

Submitted Photo Matt Hanlon of Dunkirk is pictured with Consultant Teacher Ann Marie Riggie.

For many area high school seniors, commencement acts as the close of one chapter and the beginning of another. For WNY P-TECH College & Career Academy students, this ceremony serves as a reminder that the journey is just beginning.

“You’ve accomplished so much in your four years in the P-TECH program,” said Marilyn Zagora, Ph. D., JCC Vice President of Academic Affairs. “You have laid the groundwork for your all-important next phase of your journey, which for most of you will be as a full-time student at Jamestown Community College.

Dr. Zagora was one of the many guests to speak during the first-ever WNY P-TECH College & Career Academy Senior Advancement Ceremony held at Dunkirk High School. Twenty-five senior-level students celebrated the milestone and reflected on their time in the program.

“This program has had a huge impact on my life and has helped shape me into the man I am today,” said Luke Szumigala of Forestville. “I remember, five years ago, hearing about the program and thinking that it sounded really cool. It was a huge decision. I was leaving all of my classmates and a school I had known since I was a little kid to go to a program that didn’t even exist yet. I never would have dreamed this program would have turned into what it is today. It’s definitely had a huge impact on my life and sent me down the path to success.”

Luke will be attending Alfred University in the fall to major in Mechanical Engineering; one of the two career pathways offered at P-TECH. Students enrolled in P-TECH select Welding Technology or Mechanical Technology with specializations in machine tool or design during their junior year. Many senior-level students will continue their pathway at JCC.

Submitted Photo Twenty-five senior-level WNY P-TECH College & Career Academy students are pictured during the first-ever Senior Advancement Ceremony held at Dunkirk High School.

“You took a leap of faith coming into this program,” said Whitney Hice of Dunkirk, who is pursuing an associate degree in Mechanical Technology with a Design Specialization. “You have seen the growth of this program and you are the ones that made it possible.”

Senior-level P-TECH students, including Kristopher Bajdo of Bemus Point, Zack Bentley of Frewsburg, Matt Butcher of Cassadaga, Jordan Butterfield of Lake Shore, Gabriel Gates of Silver Creek, Robert Goodrich of Eden, Matthew Hanlon of Dunkirk, Whitney Hice of Dunkirk, Nathan Hoelscher of Eden, Sebastian Hood of Gowanda, Caleb Krzyzanowicz of Dunkirk, Katlyn Lawton of Pine Valley, Nichoel Mettler of Jamestown, William Nadler of Holland, Luke Peterson-Riedesel of Dunkirk, Brendin Potts of Falconer, Jeramiah Snow of Jamestown, Danny Vargas of Jamestown and Donald Warren of Jamestown will continue their education at Jamestown Community College. Dale Danieu of Lake Shore is attending Lincoln Electric Welding Training on a scholarship, Jesse Jenkins of Pine Valley is entering the Marine Corps Reserves, Ryan Kaus of Forestville is entering active duty Marine Corps, Justin Klepfer of Gowanda is entering the workforce and Luke Szumigala of Forestville is enrolling at Alfred University to major in Mechanical Engineering.

Guest speakers included Janeil Rey, Ph. D., Director of Workforce Development; Steve Myers, Sales Engineer with Allen Industrial Sales Inc.; and Todd Tranum, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce president/CEO, Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier executive director, and Dream It Do It WNY president/CEO.

P-TECH is an all-day program housed in a newly-renovated, state of-the-art facility located at 55 East Benton St., Dunkirk. Students enrolled in P-TECH take ownership of the school and of their studies and often serve as ambassadors for the program. Scholar athletes can participate in after-school clubs and sports for their home district and they can join the P-TECH National Honor Society or Dream It Do It Club. Participating school districts provide transportation to the program daily.

Interested eighth-grade students can speak to their counselor to receive an application packet or contact P-TECH Academy directly by calling 716-672-3251, ext. 2801. There are still slots available for freshmen in the fall of 2019. For more information visit www.e2ccb.org.

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