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Alumni Notes

Alumni Notes

and independent and place them in meaningful jobs or further education. Job Corps is the Nation’s largest free education and job training program for young adults, and Keystone is among the nation’s oldest Job Corps Centers having opened its doors in 1967.

At the time of his retirement, after 26 years at Job Corps, Mr. Herring was the Business Community Liaison. In this position, he was responsible for information distribution to federal, state, and local agencies related to the Job Corps mission. In addition, he coordinated the relationship with community organizations and Keystone. He organized meetings, public functions, and community event participation for both students and staff of the facility. His job titles in his earlier career at Keystone included: Work-Based Learning Coordinator (Internship and Apprenticeship Program), Career Technical Training Instructor, Occupational Exploration Program Coordinator (Vocation Counselor), and Advanced Career Training Coordinator (College Counselor).

“Throughout his career in Job Corps, Cal’s passion for helping young people discover their potential was always front and center. He was quick to engage and empower his students, much like he did as a manager at St Joe’s,” stated Kelly King, Center Director.

While Mr. Herring had a successful career in our area, his dedication to his community and his immeasurable service is what sets this MMI alum apart. During his time at MMI, Mr. Herring served as the President of the Interact Club, the School’s service organization. While he was at the helm of that Club, the members sponsored four dances at MMI, sponsored a Brazilian foster child, provided holiday gifts to patients at the White Haven State School and Hospital, served as ushers at school events, and improved the appearance of the school grounds. He was the manager of the Prepper boys’ basketball team for three seasons and was inducted in 2006 to the MMI Wall of Fame in Athletic Achievement as part of the legendary State Championship team from 1973.

In the 1974 edition of The Minamek, Mr. Herring was recognized as the most likely to “hang around the Firehouse” illustrating his true passion for fire service. The residents of Freeland are fortunate to have dedicated volunteer firefighters, who respond when any emergency arises. Cal Herring has answered that call since 1976. He has been a member of the Freeland Fire Department for over 45 years as a Firefighter, Engineer, Committee Chair, Past Chief, and Line Officer. The Freeland Fire Department Relief Association recently installed their officers for 2023, and Mr. Herring will continue in his role as Treasurer. He is a PA State Fire Academy Firefighter Accreditation Evaluator, an educational position he has held for the past eight years. Mr. Herring has been a member of the Six County Firefighters Association for 40 years and helped to organize their final annual convention this past May. Additionally, he’s been an active firefighter with Diamond Fire Co. No. 2 since 1994.

Freeland Fire Chief Joe Stepansky, also MMI’s Director of Facilities, said, “The knowledge and experience Cal has passed on to so many firefighters over the last 45 years is indispensable. He is a mentor to us all, is always the last one out in a fire, and has become a true friend.”

In addition to serving as a first responder, Mr. Herring has volunteered his time as a member of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2016-2022), the CAN DO Board of Directors (2016-present), the American Red Cross Hazleton Chapter Board of Directors (1992-1994), and as a member of the Hazleton Rotary Club (2018-present). In 2021, Mr. Herring assumed the role of Community Relations Chair and Student Action Committee Advisor at CAN DO, both positions he holds today. This past summer, he was presented with the Chair Award for his dedication by Chairman Charles Burkhardt at CAN DO’s 66th Anniversary Program and Dinner. Mr. Herring has served as a lector at Immaculate Conception RC Church in Freeland intermittently since 1975, and is currently a member of Parish Council at his church.

The father of three girls, Mr. Herring was active throughout their youth, especially in areas pertaining to his daughter Jessica’s love of softball. He served as an officer and coach in the Valley Freeland Girls’ Softball League for 10 years, coached softball at Bishop Hafey Jr./Sr. High School from 2000-2005, and was the Pennsylvania State University, Hazleton Campus, Softball Coach from 2005-2007. He also spent time as a Fastpitch Umpire for the Amateur Softball Association.

Mr. Herring and his wife, Debra, will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on April 23, 2023. Mrs. Herring worked as a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Medical Center and later as a Certified Nurse Assistant Instructor at Keystone Job Corps Center. They are parents to twins

Jessica Witek and Megan Herring, and Ashley Herring. Jessica and her husband, Tadeusz, have two children, Zofia (5) and Jacob (3).

Ashley Herring is engaged to Mitchell Sharpe, is mom to Gavin (10), and is also a member of the Freeland Fire Department.

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