RTCC Celebrates Its 2008 Graduates
By Chelsea Rose Sargent

The 125 students from area high schools completing one of 14 year-long programs at Randolph Technical Career Center (RTCC) were honored in a high-spirited ceremony June 12 in a tent behind the school.

Comments from three student speakers were interspersed with the presentation of dozens of awards and scholarships.

The first speech was presented by Tylor Totten of Randolph Union High School (RUHS) who completed the Culinary Arts program. A foster student, Totten said he found a home and felt connected at RTCC.

Erica Lesmeister of South Royalton High School (SRHS), who has completed two years at RTCC, gave an entertaining speech that made people laugh.

And Amanda Angell of RUHS, who completed the Health Careers program, spoke about how RTCC worked helped her pursue her interest in veterinary work. During the school year, Angell completed two courses at Vermont Technical College, both in the "Vet Tech" program. She also has a "co-op" placement at a veterinary office.

Outstanding Students

After the student speeches, James St. Lawrence of Williamstown High School (WmHS), a member of the Building Trades program, was named the Outstanding Student of the Year.

"This award is given to students who demonstrated the effort it takes to make the most of their education," noted RTCC Director Bill Sugarman.

Another 13 students were cited as top students in their respective programs. In addition to St. Lawrence they were:

21st Century Business: Tiffany Daniels, Northfield High School (NHS); Automotive Technology: Dahcila (Dos) Curley, Rochester High School (RHS); Business Management: Matthew Messier, RUHS; Cooperative Education: Anthony Conant, RUHS; Culinary Arts: Ashley Rogers, SRHS; Environmental Resource Management: Michael Jacques, RUHS.

Also, Diesel Technology: Joseph Kinnarney, SRHS; Graphic Arts: April Greenway, RUHS; Health Careers: Amanda Angell, RUHS; Human Services: Antonia White, RUHS; Media & Communications: Samantha Graham, RUHS; and Power Technology: Brittany Sherman, RUHS.

Scholarships & Awards

Students receiving awards and scholarships are:

Stan Blakeney Award Top Student of the Year: James St. Lawrence of WmHS; Doug Stone Memorial Award: Dahcila Curley, RHS; RTCC Gender Equity Award: Ashley Wheelock, Jessica Langlois, and Brittany Sherman, all of RUHS.

Paul Terry Memorial Scholarship: Michelle Kaczmarek, RUHS; Bethel Rotary Club Scholarship: Ashley Rogers and Joseph Kinnarney of SRHS, and Dahcila Curley of RHS.

Northfield Rotary Club Scholarship: Nick Billings, NHS; Mystic Star Phoenix Lodge No. 97 Scholarship: Jeremiah Roberts, Whitcomb High School.

New England Precision: Matthew Messier, RUHS; Randolph National Bank: Jimmy Huff, RUHS; GW Plastics’Scholarship: Josh Ferris, RUHS; Edmond Sinnott Automative Student Award: Eli Holmquist, RHS; Partstown, Fisher Auto Parts: Kristy Tabor and Jessica Langlois, both from RUHS.

Donald C. Dustin Memorial Scholarship: James St. Lawrence of WmHS, Justin Gilbert of Chelsea High School (CHS) and April Greenway of RUHS.

Stan Gould Memorial Award: Paul Russel, SRHS; Gifford Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship: Danielle Galbreath, RUHS; Tara Stratton Nursing Scholarship: Danielle Galbreath, RUHS.

Tim Billings Award: Ethan Small, RUHS; Vermont Land Trust’s Land Steward Award: Michael Jacques, RUHS; LW Greenwood and Sons: Kristopher Tremblay, WmHS; NE Stihl Award: Tarkin Clark, SRHS; Lucky’s Trailer Sales Award: Anthony Conant and Cody Tabor, both from RUHS.

Bob Bierley Community Service Memorial Scholarship: Justin Zuber, RUHS; Randolph Rotary Club Scholarships: Amanda Angell, Michael Jacques, and Michelle Kaczmarek, all from RUHS.

Randolph Chamber of Commerce Awards: Amanda Angell, RUHS; Richard Kelley Memorial Fund: Miriam Abu Shuraija, RUHS; Vermont Honor Scholarship Award: Amanda Angell, RUHS; North Country Federal Credit Union–Community Service Award: Michelle Kaczmarek, RUHS; Career Assistance Award: April Greenway, RUHS.

Scholarships from Career Assistance Fund, Juniors: Jared Andrews, Cody Blake, Tarkin Clark, Julia Collins, Amanda Deyette, Cal Lyman, Alex Powell, Niklaas Sargent, Tiffany Severence, Brittany Sherman, Ethan Small, Ashley Wheelock and Tyler Wight; Seniors: Miriam Abu Shuraija, Nate Brien, Krista Carpenter, Andrew Commo, May Covington, Josh Ferris, Samantha Graham, Michael Jacques, Kim LaPlante, Steve Larkin, Justin Nott, Buck Rogers, Tyler Totten and Megan Whitcomb.