This year, to support graduates planning to enter those high-need fields, Casella offered three $5,000 scholarships to students enrolled in Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Career and Technical Education programming.

“There’s always been a stereotype that everyone has to go to college, which is not the case,” said Devin Siva, Casella Regional HR Manager. “We have several positions with growth opportunities … it’s just hard to find good, motivated people who want to progress in their careers.”

To be considered for the award, students had to apply and answer questions revolving around Casella’s core values: Service, Trust, Responsibility, Integrity, Continuous Improvement, and Teamwork.

Students who earned the scholarship include Conservation/Natural Resource Management students Brianna Loomis of Bemus Point and Connor Graham of Westfield, and Diesel Mechanics student Jesus Sanchez of Falconer.

Connor Graham receives his $5,000 Casella scholarship from Jose Pagan, LoGuidice Educational Center principal, during the Senior Recognition Ceremony held in King Concert Hall on Tuesday, June 13.

Each student has their path laid out before them. Graham will be attending Alfred State in the fall to study Heavy Equipment Operation; Loomis will pay off the loan she used to help pay for her CDL training and begins to work full-time for CaHill Tech at the end of June; and Sanchez is exploring a paid CDL program offered through Casella.

“I always had a passion for mechanics, working on cars with my cousin. They moved away, so I joined the Diesel Mechanics program at Hewes,” Sanchez said. “At the end of my junior year, I didn’t know if I would make it in the program, which really scared me. I really want this as a career, so I stepped it up.”

Kevin Lindvay, Casella Maintenance Manager, applauded the scholarship winners and all students enrolled in a Career and Technical Education program.

“No one else is graduating and going through these programs; there’s no one else entering the workforce coming out of high school that has CTE students’ skills,” he said. “I went through the Warren County Career Center in Warren, Pa., went on to Alfred State for Heavy Truck and Diesel, took some business classes, and now I have a good job with a great company. There’s some real money to be made, there’s definitely jobs, and there’s always going to be an opportunity for these students.”

Jesus Sanchez is pictured receiving his $5,000 Casella scholarship with, from left, Devin Siva, Regional HR Manager; Bill Devlin, Jamestown, Olean, Fredonia Division Manager; Kevin Lindvay, Casella Maintenance Manager; and Andrew Johnson, Diesel Mechanics teacher.