Student success is always at the heart of any school, and Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School is proud to recognize student education and employment success. Although it has not been a “normal year,” students are still excelling and deserve to be recognized for their achievements.

The following students from the health careers programs have made their college decisions: Cheyenne Orendach, Northampton Area High School, Northampton Community College, dental hygiene; Alena Muschko, NAHS, Northampton Community College, RN intent; Myles Merced, NAHS, Northampton Community College, nursing intent; Jenna Sebring, NAHS, St. Luke’s School of Nursing; Kaila Gazaway, NAHS, Hofstra University, nursing; Sarah Brown, Freedom High School, West Chester University or DeSales University, nursing; Keily Gaetan, Liberty High School, Cedar Crest College, Abigail Sipel, FHS, Cedar Crest College, nursing; Megan Miller, LHS, Moravian College, pre-PT program; and Morgan Briggs, Saucon Valley High School, Northampton Community College, medical field.

It is worth noting Brown was accepted to every nursing program to which she applied.

The health careers programs have been very successful in their relationship with St. Luke’s University Health Network. Seniors attend a presentation toward the end of their senior year, which gives them a sneak peek of the St. Luke’s way.

One can find many former students working on one of the campuses in the Lehigh Valley as they complete their degree. Upon graduation, students have learned all skills necessary to act as a personal care assistant.

Additionally, students are offered the opportunity to learn phlebotomy upon taking and passing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Healthcare Providers 10-hour course.

In other business, the electronics technology program has been meeting with Lutron representatives via Zoom. Students have met with Ken Borger, personnel supervisor, regarding opportunities within Lutron. The students are preparing resumes and will participate in virtual interviews for the positions.

The need for skilled employees has been tremendous the last several years. Many employers reach out for students trained at BAVTS to enhance their workforce.

BAVTS would like to recognize the following students and their employers who are currently involved in the school’s cooperative education program: Tyler Eckert, NAHS senior, Eastern Star Collision; Zach Lentz, NAHS senior, REMCO; Rebecca Coleman, NAHS junior, Buchanan Housing Authority; Charles Villanova, NAHS senior, Jeff’s HVAC; Rayden Christoff, NAHS junior, Jenkins Machine; Jacob Raines and Nathan Sanno, both NAHS seniors, Strow’s Plumbing and Heating; Dylan Green, NAHS senior, S & R Steel; Austin Hoppes and Zach Naradko, both NAHS seniors, Brey & Krause Manufacturing; Tyler Kluscarits, NAHS senior, EM Kutz Inc.; Braxton Weinhofer, AJ Hobel and Zachery Zeiner, all NAHS seniors, Szoke Iron Works; Brandon Metz, NAHS senior, Angel Marrero-Miranda, FHS junior, and Andrew Melo, SVHS senior, Koch 33 Ford; Aiden Piccurio, SVHS senior, Daku’s Auto Body; Andre Ledee, FHS senior, More Miles Automotive; Zachary Moore, FHS senior, Bellview Pump & Sales; Mia Ulmer, SVHS senior, Hellertown Bakery; Alex Bortz, SVHS senior, Borko Home Improvements; Angelee Cuebas, LHS senior, and Natalai Fuentas, FHS senior, Lehigh Valley Health Network; Joe Hoffmeier, Centennial School senior, Maximus Electric; Anthony Rias, LHS senior, West Side Hammer Electric; Mark Wurstle, FHS senior, BEI Electrical; Keily Gaeten, LHS senior, and Gabriel Dietrich, SVHS senior, Deiter Bros.; Edgar Akhmedov, LHS senior, J&L Precision Machine; Mick Sullivan, SVHS senior, Bracalente Manufacturing Group; Tyler Ehret, FHS junior, Flexicon; and Emma Jucewicz, SVHS senior, Hart Mechanical.

These students aid in the local economy.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, BAVTS students, instructors and staff are working hard to meet the needs of the local and regional workforce. BAVTS students are learning and putting into practice key skills and knowledge to provide highly trained, top-quality employees to the community’s businesses and industries.