SCCTC graduates record class

BY PAT FARNELLI

A thriving career and technology center in Susquehanna County had to find a new location for graduation Thursday, as a record breaking class of 2014 was too large to accommodate in the high school auditorium for commencement exercises.

Administrative Director Alice Davis thanked the family members of graduating seniors, noting her pride in each and every one of them, and then said that this year’s class of 139 graduates posed a dilemma.

“We have a nice dilemma…We have outgrown the high school auditorium.”

Davis said that faculty and staff spent hours setting up the Elk Lake Elementary gymnasium for the occasion, after early dismissal on the last day of school.

This large graduating class did not include members of the first Licensed Practical Nurse class, which will be holding a separate graduation July 3.

Davis noted that of the 139 graduates, 11 plan to attend a four year college or university; 22 are enrolled in a two year college program, 16 will continue their studies at the SCCTC; and nine will join the military. Students planning to go to work in their field of study totaled 44, while 36 have jobs awaiting outside of their field of study.

Davis encouraged the graduates to find a special purpose, set themselves apart, be humble in their successes, and most of all to be happy.

Jacie Gesford of S.M. Smith & Company (Erie Insurance), sponsor of this year’s Outstanding Career and Technology Student Award, presented a $1,000 prize to the Outstanding Career and Technology Student: Matthew Hugaboom of Susquehanna Community High School. She said that Hugaboom distinguished himself with his participation in many projects, including a new gazebo, as well as his qualification for the National Technical Honor Society. “He is a wonderful young man,” she concluded.

New Elk Lake superintendent Ken Cuomo handed out the diplomas. During an awards night on May 29, more than $20,000 in awards and scholarships were given to the class of 2014.