Signing Day celebrates Mifflin County students employed right out of high school

LEWISTOWN -- The first-round picks featured Wednesday at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology in Lewistown weren't known for their accomplishments on the football field or baseball diamond.

These 21 all-stars paved the way to their future in the beauty salons, machine shops and computer labs of the vocational-technical school. And Wednesday morning was their Career Signing Day.

The celebratory event traditionally reserved for athletes was held at the Academy to show off the pipeline that has been created for in-demand jobs and further education.

"The kids do get excited and take it very seriously," said Jennifer Jackson, career coach and National Technical Honor Society advisor at the Academy. "However, the only downside is that our hard-working students hate missing work, even for an event that honors them."

While many of the 12th-grade students are headed right into the full-time workforce after graduation, some of them already have their careers.

Colby Hagan, of Lewistown, is wrapping up his time in the Academy's electrical installation program. A week after graduating from Mifflin County High School on June 5, he will head to St. Charles, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, for training with his new employee, Contel, Inc., a recognized leader in the telecommunication and communication installation industry.

Hagan met with several employers but opted for Contel because he wanted a job in fiber optics and data communications where he could travel. "I couldn't imagine sitting at a desk at the same place for 20 years of my life," Hagan explained.

While the company is based in the Windy City, Hagan can still live in Mifflin County if he chooses. When needed Contel will simply "send you anywhere in the country," he explained.

Hagan might not mind leaving the confines of Mifflin County, but his parents were supportive but apprehensive. "My mom was scared," he said. "She doesn't want me to leave home."

After completing his training, he will be considered a Level 1 technician.

He also received an offer from Norfolk Southern to work as a train conductor. The deciding factor was the "family atmosphere and feeling of Contel when I had my interview," said Hagan, who interviewed for the job virtually.

Hagan is relieved to have the decision out of the way. He hoped to have his future on track before leaving high school.

He was all smiles - like the other attendees - when signing day came around.

"My favorite part is seeing the community support for our students," Jackson said. "Sometimes the students do not get to see the support the Academy receives in such a personal way. This event allows them to hear the applause and get the pats on the back for jobs well done."

Sarah Vermeulin, of Lewistown, was another 12th-grader who signed on the dotted line on Wednesday. A student in the cosmetology program, Vermeulin decided to sign with Cost Cutters Hair Salon, located at the Mifflin County Commons in Burnham.

"I've had a passion for it since I was little," Vermeulin said of working in the hair industry, specifically with braiding. "My sister taught me how to braid ... in a sense, she helped me develop my love for it."

Looking back, Vermeulin has fond memories of braiding her mom's hair. It's hard to imagine that her dream has come to fruition.

"It's a relief off my shoulders, knowing I have a job getting out of school," Vermeulin said.

However, Cost Cutters was not her first employer. She worked briefly at New Hue Salon in Lewistown but found it was not the right fit for her.

(Cost Cutters salon manager and stylist) Lorena (Fleming) came in and did a presentation," Vermeulin said. "I got to do some job shadowing for a few weeks. I liked how they did hair. The stuff they do is more of what I like to do."

And the rest was history after she signed on Wednesday.

"This is only my second year participating in Signing Day and I can already see the traction the day is receiving within the community," Jackson added. "Each year, there are more students participating and more employers, who would like to be involved."

The event was hosted at the Academy, with the school's business and education committee, Mifflin County Industrial Development Corp. and Contel Inc. sponsoring a reception after the event.

Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology students who accepted offers to work with employers on "Signing Day":

· Gatlin Beeler, electrical installation, J&N Electric

· Tru Bumgardner, cosmetology, Vibe Hair and Nail Salon

· Elizabeth Cover, adult cosmetology, Essentials Hair and Nail by Julie

· Pennelope Darrow, early childhood childcare, PreK Counts

· Levi Feagley, automotive mechanics, Ascendance Truck

· Tylor Foltz, mechatronics, Cabinet Works

· Ayden Gwilym, electrical installation, J&N Electric

· Colby Hagan, electrical installation, Contel Inc.

· Wyatt Howell, automotive mechanics, River Raptor Jet Boats

· Kaitlyn Hummel, medical science, Geisinger

· Seth Hunter, automotive mechanics, PennDOT

· Cheyenne Johnson, adult automotive, Stroup's Garage

· Hayden McCardle, collision repair, Lake Chevrolet Body Shop

· Aiden McMahon, construction trades, Glenn O. Hawbaker

· Keagan Scyoc, electrical installation, Kish Valley Electric

· Kaitlyn Shirk, early childhood childcare, Burnham United Methodist Childcare Center

· Mason Spickler, automotive mechanics, Brenner Tire and Auto

· Elizabeth St. John, cosmetology, Zion Hair Salon

· Madison Stringfellow, early childhood childcare, Panda Preschool

· Sarah Vermeulin, cosmetology, Cost Cutters

· Lyndsey Wolfley, medical science, Geisinger