PLEASANT GAP — The Centre County chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees annually supports public education through presentation of several awards and rewards to the county’s public school districts. This year, the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology was added to the rotation.
The first presentation was a $300 grant toward a program in which an educator in charge feels there is a need for additional funds that have not been budgeted or are unfunded. CPI instructor Mark Keller received this grant for additional firefighting gloves for students in the emergency services program. This need arose due to an increased enrollment.
At a recent meeting of the CPI’s board of directors, two employees — one professional employee and one support staff member — were awarded the PASR Lauretta Woodson Award for service to the students they serve. This award includes $50 to use in their areas of the school.
Honoree Edward Finnefrock has positively impacted the lives of his high school and post-secondary students over the past 14 years as a welding instructor at CPI. He believes in ensuring that his students leave with high-level industry credentials necessary for success in the workforce. He opens his classroom and lab in the evenings and throughout the summer to provide additional opportunities for local welders to receive advanced training or credentialing.
Finnefrock is highly respected for his knowledge, compassion and work ethic and is considered a role model for his students and colleagues.
The other Woodson honoree, Christine “Michelle” VanHorn, has worked for three years in various support roles at the CPI. She has assisted in the collision repair, automotive technology and heavy equipment operations classrooms, where she is able to use her background to provide both academic and technical support to students.
VanHorn willingly acts as a substitute instructor in any of CPI’s 18 programs. She also works part-time for the school’s facilities and maintenance department. She is known for her desire to help students grow as learners and professionals.
The Centre County chapter of PASR also supports school’s education program with an annual scholarship. During CPI’s senior awards ceremony, a graduate of either CPI or the State College High School Career and Technical Education Program will receive the chapter’s $1,500 scholarship.
CCASR members fund these educational support programs through member contributions, which are invested through the Centre County Foundation. Anyone wishing to share in this effort can send checks to Centre Foundation with ‘CCASR Scholarship Endowment’ in the memo line.
All retirees from a Pennsylvania public school, regardless of whatever capacity they served, are welcome to join the organization. For additional membership information, contact Ruth Rishel at 110 Oakwood Lane, Centre Hall, PA 16828.
