News

June 9, 2009

Tech graduates are told ‘opportunities are endless’

Having a trade will set them apart from the rest, class salutatorian tells classmates.

EILEEN GODIN Times Leader Correspondent

PRINGLE – The threat of rain Monday night did not stop the joyful celebrating of 80 graduating students from the West Side Career and Technology Center.

Wearing navy and yellow caps and gowns, the students filed into a crowded gymnasium. Eager young faces reflect their enthusiasm to conquer any challenges in their future.

“We are starting a new chapter,” class salutatorian Christina Salvaggio said. “We are leaving with more than just a high school education, but also a trade. This sets us apart from the rest.”

Gina Lucas Harrison, a 2001 graduate of the health-related technology program, delivered a motivational commencement address.

Harrison went on to graduate from Luzerne County Community College and is a registered nurse with the Wyoming Valley Health Care System, which was recently acquired by Community Health Systems. She is also a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners.

She credits much of her success to the faculty of the West Side Career and Technology Center who gave her the education, a career path and opportunities.

“The teachers never underestimated a student’s potential,” she said.

She advised the graduates that, with their education, “opportunities are endless.”

Administrative Director Elizabeth Jane Ellis read an e-mail from Martin Simko, a 1973 graduate.

Simko wrote that he started out as a small-town boy from a small-town vo-tech school. He ran his own electronic repair business, worked at Kmart and then the Tobyhanna Army Depot repairing radio equipment. Simko now trains Special Forces troops in use of the equipment. His parting words to the students were “If we have a skill, we have a treasure no one can take away from us.”

Diplomas were handed out by Joint Operating Committee President Michael Pegarella. Applause erupted as the West Side Career and Technology Center presented the class of 2009.

The parting words from Class Valedictorian Jennifer Kelly were “Do not be frightened, go as far as you want.”

Students walked out of the gymnasium and into warm hugs and cheers of family members waiting in the school’s lobby.

Wiping away tears, graduate Kathlynn Jones, of Edwardsville, hugged family and friends. She will major in criminology at Luzerne County Community College. Adam Sebolka, of Luzerne, said he will learn more about network security systems at New Horizons in Pittston.

In one last task as a class, the graduates gathered outside and, at the sound of a horn, threw their caps into the air.

Keepsake edition

For more photos and a list of graduates, check out the special graduation section to be published on July 4.

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