River Valley Tech honors 16 program grads with awards

The families and friends of students at the River Valley Technical Center gathered to celebrate the completion of technical programs in late May and to recognize 16 with awards and scholarships.

Brendan Kelly, an Industrial Trades student from Bellows Falls Union High School, received the RVTC Director’s award, presented to the student who exemplifies all that the school has to offer. Kelly was described by his Industrial Trades instructor, Rich Fuller, as “a reliable, do-anything student who people can count on.”

Kelly has had perfect attendance for two years, is a member and a silver medalist in the CSTO SkillsUSA organization, and a member of the National Technical Honor Society and the American Welding Society, where he was elected as a student member on the executive board. He has attained three industry certifications and is also the recipient of the RVTC Aaron Douglas award for dependability during both of his years at RVTC. Kelly will be attending the Texas State Technical College in the fall.

Scholarships and Awards

• Bradley Adams, from Springfield High School, received a Culinary Arts Program Scholarship of $500.
• Cedar Allen, an Industrial Trades student from Black River High School, was given the four-year Assistant Director’s Scholarship for $600.
• Keanna Bingham, from Fall Mountain Regional High School, received the four-year Tom Leever Health Careers Scholarship of $500.
• Josh Blish, a Horticulture and Natural Resources student from Green Mountain Union High School, received the Vermont Land Trust Award $250 cash award.
• Joe Epler, a Horticulture and Natural Resources student from GMUHS, received the Kurt Dechen Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 and the Horticulture Program Scholarship of $250.
• Sara Fernette, from Fall Mountain Regional, was awarded the Business & Financial Services Program Scholarship of $500.
• Brendan Kelly, from Bellows Falls Union High, received the VSAC Vermont Honor Scholarship for  $1,000, the Roger McNamara Spirit Scholarship of $500 and the RVTC Director’s Award.
• Kristie Palowski, of GMUHS, was awarded the New England Culinary Institute Scholarship for $1,000.
• Hunter Roys,  of Springfield High, received the Horticulture Program Scholarship of $500.
• Will Scarlett, of BFUHS, was awarded the Mechanical Design and Innovation Program Scholarship of $200.
• Aja Selbach-Broad, of BFUHS,  received a Video Production Program Scholarship of $500.
• Kaelan Selbach-Broad, of BFUHS, received a Video Production Program Scholarship of $500.
• Tanner Shumski, a Business and Financial Services student from Springfield High, received the Christine Lawlor Scholarship for $500.
• Kyle White, a Business and Financial Management student from Springfield High, received the four-year Director’s Scholarship of $750.
• Desirae Williams, a Human Services student from GMUHS, was awarded the Jennifer Bixby Memorial Scholarship of $500.
• Nate Van Velsor, of Fall Mountain Regional, received the Carpentry Program Scholarship of $500.