The Wisdom Lane Middle School auditorium was filled with applause and well wishes from family, administrators and staff as 163 students received their certificates of completion from Gerald R. Claps Career and Technical Center program on Thursday, June 13.
Director Audre Midura congratulated the students on being part of the 31st graduating class, which has grown to accommodate programs including police science/EMT studies, cosmetology, computer animation, architectural drafting, automotive technology, carpentry, culinary arts, electrical technology, graphic arts and medical assisting.
“All of you are on the right track for success and have been given an advantage by receiving technical training,” Midura said.
During the student address to the Class of 2013, SkillsUSA President Michelle Licciardo thanked the administration and staff for their support throughout her enrollment in the program and told fellow classmates that she would describe the program as exceptional. “Our experiences have prepped us for college and the real world,” she said. “In addition, I have learned a great deal about myself.”
Student awards and scholarships were bestowed upon many of the graduates. Outstanding students also received commendations, including:
Architectural Drafting – Louie Bruni
Automotive Technology – Nicholas Genari and Patrick Kelly
Carpentry – Kyle Von Glahn
Computer Animation – Lawrence G. Timpano
Cosmetology – Stephanie Esposito and Kaitlin Moss
Culinary Arts – Stephanie Hsu
Electrical Technology – Brian Johnson
Graphic Arts – Frankie Piacente
Medical Assisting – Shujawodin Azizi
Police Science/EMT-B – Victoria Capone
The students were then called one by one to receive their certificates. Prior to the closing of the ceremony, the audience and graduates watched a slide presentation that recapped the year, put together by students enrolled in the computer animation program.
