“The land of the free because of the brave.”

On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School honored its staff and enlisted students with a prerecorded video made with the assistance of SkillsUSA and Health Occupations Students of America students.

Normally, the ceremony is a live event; however, the event was recorded following COVID-19 compliance procedures to protect the safety of the staff and students.

The ceremony can be viewed at youtu.be/r8lTJd7SrYY.

This year’s program was dedicated to Robert Tresize, the beloved spouse of instructional assistant Sally Tresize who served our country in Vietnam.

Jonae Jimenez, a senior from Freedom High School, performed the national anthem a cappella.

The following staff members were honored for their service: Stan Dixon, building trades instructor, USMC; Michael Galler, supervisor of curriculum, USMC and Pennsylvania Army National Guard; Sergio Rivas, video media arts instructor, U.S. Army; and Kevin Strawn, electrical construction instructor, U.S. Navy and U.S. Army National Guard.

The enlisted students include Kaila Gazaway, U.S. Army Reserve, medical logistics specialist, Northampton Area High School; Josiah Sandoval, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, 19K armor crewman, FHS; and Xavier Soto, Pennsylvania National Guard, artillery specialist, FHS.

Students involved in the preparation and ceremony include Chris Frey, SkillsUSA ambassador, Homeland Security/protective services, Saucon Valley High School; Elizabeth Rodriguez, Color Guard, Homeland Security/protective services, Liberty High School; Yazli Rodriguez, Color Guard, Homeland Security/protective services, LHS; Trevor Rubino, SkillsUSA ambassador, Homeland Security/protective services, NAHS; Paige Sciarra, Color Guard, Homeland Security/protective services, LHS; Alessandra Scipioni, SkillsUSA president, Homeland Security/protective services, FHS; Jenna Sebring, HOSA reporter, health careers, NAHS; Joseph Sheats, SkillsUSA ambassador, automotive technology, NAHS; and Abby Sipel, HOSA president, health careers, FHS.

Three students have been recognized by Bethlehem Rotary Club for their achievements from now until the end of November. They include Kaila Gazaway, an NAHS senior in health careers, for September; Izabella Block, a FHS senior in fashion industries, for October; and Jheremy Iparraguirre, a senior from LHS in graphic communications, for November. Nikki Gingrich, director of development and marketing, is the current chair of the vocational committee.

The Rotary Club is a volunteer organization with 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. It initiates humanitarian projects that address challenges affecting the world today, such as hunger, poverty and illiteracy.

Rotary members unite a broad cross-section of business and professional leaders around the world around a common mission: “Service Above Self.” These 1.2 million men and women donate their expertise, time and funds to support local and international projects, helping people in need and promoting understanding among cultures. Rotary’s flagship program is its effort to protect children against polio. It aims to eradicate the disease from the world.

The SkillsUSA officers and ambassadors recently attended leadership and ambassador training. Those students include Alessandro Scipioni, FHS, president; Cody Trauger, LHS, vice president; Keily Gaetan, LHS, treasurer; and Treyvon Fitzpatrick, LHS, secretary.

The following students are ambassadors for the organization: Brooke Brinker, SVHS; Christopher Frey, SVHS; Avery Ortiz, NAHS; Trevor Rubino, NAHS; and Joseph Sheats, NAHS.