OHS students celebrated at Senior Career Ready Recognition Event
May 12—OSKALOOSA — Oskaloosa High School students who will take an unconventional path after graduation were celebrated at a Senior Career Ready Recognition Event on Wednesday.
The event has become an annual tradition for the school the past three to four years, with students and their parents and instructors in attendance. Oskaloosa High School Principal Jeff Kirby opened the event, which was his first as principal. He emphasized the value and growing demand for careers in the workforce, trades and military.
"There are so many high-quality jobs out there that don't require a college diploma anymore," Kirby said. "We recognize that, and the students who are here today recognize that there's value in going right from high school into a job in trades, the military or the workforce."
Kristen Bandy, the School-to-Work coordinator at Oskaloosa High School, organized the event.
"This group of students has chosen a different path, and they've done it themselves to take the next step on their own to make it happen, so I really like to recognize these students," Bandy said.
The following students and their career paths were recognized:
— Welding certification: Bryce Beerbower, Jarrett Czerwinski and Jay Vander Meyden.
— Iowa Army National Guard: Bryce Beerbower, Allyson Maxwell and Jon Tauberschmit.
— United States Marine Corps: Lucas Phillips, Aaron Wilson, Maximum Orduna and Cason Shilling.
— Registered apprenticeship: Dawson Braden, Missouri Valley Line Construction; Avery Kauffman, Clow Valve; and Cade Kelderman, Van Maanen Electric.
— Certified Nursing Assistant Program: Nadia Hudson.
— Industrial certification: Dominic Purdum, CDL and Confinement Applicator.
Emily Hawk is the associate editor of the Ottumwa Courier and the Oskaloosa Herald. She can be reached at ehawk@oskyherald.com.
