Tech school grads hail their education
Kevin Cook
BCTHS 2011 Graduation
Bucks County Technical High School Class of 2011 at their commencement ceremony at Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, NJ on Wednesday, June 15. Kevin Cook / for Courier-Times
Kevin Cook
BCTHS 2011 Graduation
Bucks County Technical High School Class of 2011 at their commencement ceremony at Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, NJ on Wednesday, June 15. Kevin Cook / for Courier-Times
Kevin Cook
BCTHS 2011 Graduation
Bucks County Technical High School Class of 2011 graduate Sandra Weimar proceeds in her school's commencement ceremony at Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, NJ on Wednesday, June 15. Kevin Cook / for Courier-Times
- BCTHS Class of 2011
- Bucks County Technical High School Valedictorian: Earl Gripton Jr. Salutatorian: Kevin Hetzel Number of graduates: 301 Percentage going on to higher education: 65 Total amount in awards and scholarships: The school does not track this information
Posted: Thursday, June 16, 2011 6:04 am | Updated: 9:27 am, Thu Jun 16, 2011.
Tech school grads hail their education Calkins Media, Inc. | 0 comments
By Chris EnglishBUCKS COUNTY TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL — When it comes to preparing for the future, you can’t do better than the Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township, the school’s salutatorian said during graduation ceremonies Wednesday night at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton.
“I think a technical education is the finest education that exists, and the finest example of a technical education is the Bucks County Technical High School,” said Kevin Hetzel of Falls.
He studied commercial art at the full-time comprehensive school that offers both academic and vocational instruction. Wednesday night, 301 seniors in 28 vocations ranging from allied health to welding got their diplomas.
The school draws students from the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
“I’m not here to give a speech that’s all bells and whistles about the future,” continued Hetzel, who will continue his studies at the University of the Arts. “The future is already here. We’ve already faced some of the toughest challenges we’re going to face right here at school, so the future should be nothing more than business as usual.”
Valedictorian Earl Gripton Jr. of Bristol Township, who studied mechatronics-engineering technologies at BCTHS, recalled the day almost four years ago when his father first dropped him off at the school.
“I’m standing there looking up at this grand, imposing structure on Wistar Road,” he said. “I was having fear and anxiety and all those usual feelings, but I soon came to realize there are three simple ways to accomplish your goals: hard work, determination and a realization that nothing in this life comes free.”
Gripton Jr., who will attend Drexel University, remembered a teacher at BCTHS who always stressed that she not only wanted the right answer, but wanted to see the work that went into getting the answer.
“We have all these opportunities spread out in front of us,” he said. “The people here at BCTHS have given us the skills and knowledge it takes to accomplish our goals. Now, it’s up to us.”
Early in the ceremony, BCTHS officials acknowledged the 6 percent of the graduates who are going into the military. Of the remaining, 65 percent are headed on to higher education and the rest will enter the workforce.
“As you embark on the next stage in your life, whether it’s at work, in the military service or at college, remember to do whatever you’re doing with passion and conviction,” said BCTHS Administrative Director Leon Poeske. “Use the knowledge and experience you’ve gained here to continue to be successful in your lives.”
“I think a technical education is the finest education that exists, and the finest example of a technical education is the Bucks County Technical High School,” said Kevin Hetzel of Falls.
He studied commercial art at the full-time comprehensive school that offers both academic and vocational instruction. Wednesday night, 301 seniors in 28 vocations ranging from allied health to welding got their diplomas.
The school draws students from the Bensalem, Bristol, Bristol Township, Morrisville, Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts.
“I’m not here to give a speech that’s all bells and whistles about the future,” continued Hetzel, who will continue his studies at the University of the Arts. “The future is already here. We’ve already faced some of the toughest challenges we’re going to face right here at school, so the future should be nothing more than business as usual.”
Valedictorian Earl Gripton Jr. of Bristol Township, who studied mechatronics-engineering technologies at BCTHS, recalled the day almost four years ago when his father first dropped him off at the school.
“I’m standing there looking up at this grand, imposing structure on Wistar Road,” he said. “I was having fear and anxiety and all those usual feelings, but I soon came to realize there are three simple ways to accomplish your goals: hard work, determination and a realization that nothing in this life comes free.”
Gripton Jr., who will attend Drexel University, remembered a teacher at BCTHS who always stressed that she not only wanted the right answer, but wanted to see the work that went into getting the answer.
“We have all these opportunities spread out in front of us,” he said. “The people here at BCTHS have given us the skills and knowledge it takes to accomplish our goals. Now, it’s up to us.”
Early in the ceremony, BCTHS officials acknowledged the 6 percent of the graduates who are going into the military. Of the remaining, 65 percent are headed on to higher education and the rest will enter the workforce.
“As you embark on the next stage in your life, whether it’s at work, in the military service or at college, remember to do whatever you’re doing with passion and conviction,” said BCTHS Administrative Director Leon Poeske. “Use the knowledge and experience you’ve gained here to continue to be successful in your lives.”
Staff Writer
2 comments:
Congratulations to my son Jake and all of the BCTHS seniors of 2011. The next faze of your life will be so exciting. Take what you have learned and spread your wings and FLY.
A great article about a great school and some pretty great kids representing them who are going into some pretty exciting careers! Imagine that.
So very proud of BCTHS and their programs and God willing I will be watching my son graduate from there in 2013!
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