Retirements

Once A Viking Always A Viking

D'Orio and Daniels each retire with 24 years of service to the LaBrae community.

The LaBrae Board of Education recognized and honored retiring Assistant to the Treasurer Debbie D'Orio, standing in the center of the top picture, and longtime mechanic Russell "Shorty" Daniels, standing in the center of the bottom picture, at the board's December 12th meeting. They are each retiring after 24 years of exemplary service to the LaBrae community. Shown in each picture are also, from left to right, board members Tim Gibson, VicePresident, Russell Sewell, President, Bradley Gamlin, and Karen Ancell.

'Hands-On Preparation'

So far this year, LaBrae High School students Dustin Postlethwait, Ashton Laughlin, and Charles Faler have created or assisted in making a step stool, tote box, bird house, coat rack, keychain holder and an instrument rack for the music department at Lordstown High School. The projects are all products of the skills they are acquiring through the Trumbull County Educational Service Center's Education Extension at Lordstown Elementary School. The TCESC began offering the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council (OSAC) recognized pre-apprenticeship program during the fall semester of the 2022-2023 school year. "(This program) is helping me better my skills when it comes to carpentry and working on projects, but it's also helping me build my math skills without me even realizing it at the time, kind of effortlessly, " said Postlewait, who hopes to pursue a carpentry apprenticeship. "It really is multi-encompassing. " The program is being funded by an Innovative Workforce Incentive Program (IWIP) grant through the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and the Ohio Department of Education. It is a state-approved graduation pathway. Students who complete the program will attain several industry-recognized certifications and qualify for the Ohio Carpenter’s Apprenticeship program, which pairs apprentices with employers in the Mahoning Valley and statewide. The program also gives students opportunities to network with area employers. "It's giving me the hands-on preparation and experience I need either for a job or an apprenticeship, " Laughlin said. "I'm learning a lot and enjoying what I'm learning and doing. It's a win-win for me no matter what. "