Tuesday was that day for 46 seniors at the Lewistown vocational school, including Saren Wray and Braeden Marsh.

Wray never imagined a single class, such as the Academy’s Emergency Medical Technician adult education program, would have such a dramatic impact on her career.

“I went into it not really caring then I fell in love with it,” said Wray, who signed a contract with FAME Emergency Medical Services as a full-time EMT.

That’s good news for FAME and other first responders, which have struggled at times with staffing.

Photo courtesy of the MIFFLIN COUNTY ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Students at Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology who participated in Signing Day on Tuesday included front row (from left): Maleaha Santiago, Ariana Almazan, Libbi Howell, Alyza Hlavaty, Allison Hogle and Aspen Goss; second row: Hailey Koch, Cami Knepp, Morgan Wise, Adison Pecht, Morgan Smoker, Sydney Barroclough, Saren Wray, Zane Green, Brent Graybill and Braedon Marsh; and back row: Caden Brumbaugh, Derek Swanger, Anthony Schiech, Cooper Price, Zane Snyder, Brett Zook and Cole Zellers.

“I like being able to be there for anyone,” Wray added.

Wray completed a co-operative educational experience with FAME for the past year and is excited to join them. “FAME is just like a big family; everyone is there for you,” she added.

Besides the EMT program, the jobs the seniors will enter include:

• Agriculture Science

• Auto Mechanics Technology

• Collision Repair

• Construction Trades

• Cosmetology

• Culinary Arts

• Early Childhood Education

• Electrical Installation

• Health Professions

• Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation

• Precision Machining

• Welding Technology

“As many people are aware, it can be difficult for employers to find quality, hard-working applicants who also possess technical skills,” explained Jennifer Dressler, career coach at the Academy.

“The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology acknowledged graduates who obtained employment within their technical field during a brief ceremony with their future employer,” she added. “Students entering the military and post-secondary education were also recognized during the ceremony with their recruiters and post-secondary representatives from Penn College, South Hills School of Business and Technology, CPI and the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology LPN Program.”

Dressler said nearly half of the senior class at the Academy was included in the day’s festivities, and it is an honor for students to be included in the event.

“For the second half of the school year, staff and students work to secure employment for our graduating seniors and this day is a perfect celebration of their dedication and hard work,” Dressler said.

“Additionally, this year we chose to include military and post-secondary education since this is also a direct line to eventual full-time employment,” she added. “I am personally proud of the students for making the event successful and something the Academy and the community can be proud of. We are sending quality workers into the field and hope events like this give notice to our community that we are training and maintaining skilled workers.”

Another Academy senior Braeden Marsh signed on the dotted line with Revival Kitchen in Reedsville on Signing Day. The Culinary Arts student was hired to be the restaurant’s garde manger.

For Marsh, who developed a real passion for cooking during the pandemic, he still can’t digest being paid for one of his favorite pastimes – cooking.

Marsh will oversee the production of cold food, like salads and dessert, as well as the area in the kitchen where it takes place.

“During COVID, I took time for myself to learn stuff in the kitchen,” Marsh recalled. “I fell in love with it. It feels weird (to be paid) for what I do every day.”

Both Wray and Marsh are thankful to have jobs lined up before the school year ends.

“It’s certainly very comfortable to know I’m having a career out of high school,” Marsh said.

For Marsh, he is also proud to be carrying on a family tradition. “On my father’s side of the family, there’s been relatives interested in the culinary arts for a long time.”