BAVTS Executive Director Adam Lazarchak expressed his thoughts, intent and purpose at our Open House 2021. He thought it was fantastic, as we were mobbed. The place vibrated with lots of energy; the BAVTS and Freedom HS parking lots were packed. It felt great to participate in a live event again as COVID-19 had put a damper on the event.

The second person I interviewed was Chef Thomas Rutherford, the culinary and event manager at BAVTS. I asked him what was the school trying to accomplish with the food truck. His response was to let students, parents and the community know that we have another culinary arts outlet, and to teach current and future culinary students another aspect of our industry, a mobile education facility.

From this in-person event, we had the opportunity to participate in another activity close to the heart of the nation, Veterans Day.

On Veterans Day, students participated from all three career and technical student organizations: SkillsUSA; National Technical Honor Society; HOSA; and Future Health Professionals of America. The ceremony included a history of Veterans Day and a poem read in both English and Spanish. The English version was read by Christina Cordero. and the Spanish version by Sebastian Rodriguez Lopez.

BAVTS enlisted students include Tyler Martucci, Freedom, 12, Navy, MOS Aviation Ordnance and Joey Sheats, Northampton, 12, Marine Corps, Air Crash, Fire, Rescue.

Staff members honored were; Mr. Stan Dixon and Mr. Michael Galler, United States Marine Corps and Mr. Sergio Rivas, and Mr. Thomas Rutherford, United States Army.

Students comprising the quartet that performed during the ceremony are Michelle Loaiza, 12; Connor Dinwiddie, 10; Drew Rehrig, 12 and Gianfranco LaSpisa, 11. The choral director is Jule Wydrzynski.

Other BAVTS students also participated in the ceremony. From Freedom: Christina Cordero, 12; Tatiana DoSantos, 11; Chase Hendrickson, 12; Kalynn Schoenberger, 11; Olivia Sierocinski, 11;. Liberty students include: Treyvon Fitzpatrick, 12; Jianfranco LaSpisa; Paige Sciarra, 12; Richard Trinh, 12; From Northampton: Charles Breidenbach, 12; Courtney Richard, 12; Tara Mensinger, 11; Abigail Schreck, 12; Joey Sheats, 12; Aiden Weaver, 11. From Saucon Valley: Zoie Coronado, 11; Christopher Frey, 12; Sebastian Rodriguez Lopez, 11.

TAPS was performed in the morning session by Kyle Koehler, NO, 12, and in the afternoon by Donald Kemmerer, a friend of Post #379.

Members of the Harry F. W. Johnson American Legion Post #379 completed the ceremony with a 21-gun salute and the playing of TAPS. The following Post 379 members participated in the event: Joe Herkalo, Air Force; Ken Nichol, Marines; Craig Sostarecz, Navy; John Bracali, Air Force; Michael Taglareni, Navy; Norm Koch, Army; Steve Melnick, Army; Richard Fasching, Air Force; Al Rice, Air Force; Joe Herkalo, Air Force; Gene Ryder, Air Force; and Wayne Verzbicki, Army.