By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS --The area's outstanding career technical students were honored with their parents at a special reception at Lewis Cass Intermediate School Thursday evening.
Along with the main speaker Senator Ron Jelinek, President Dr. David Mathews of Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) and Dee Dee Stakley of Lake Michigan College (LMC) were on hand to present eight of the students scholarships of $250.
Receiving scholarships to SMC were Claudio Cano (Computers III) and Michael Dollins (Computers III) of Dowagiac Union High School, Stephanie LaPlace (Health occupations at Elkhart Area Career Center) of Edwardsburg High School and Alanna Smeltzer (Cooperative Education) of Marcellus High School.
Those who received a scholarship from LMC included Leon J. Brown (Agriscience) of Ross Beatty High School, Cassopolis, Anne Wiesemes (Computers III) of Dowagiac Union High School, and Mariel Black (Graphic Arts- Elkhart) and Cassandra Donath (Medical Secretary-Elkhart) of Edwardsburg High School.
Additional outstanding students from Ross Beatty were Charlene Haraldson (Public Safety), Thammavaly Luangasa (Public Safety), Jennifer Monaghan (Graphic Arts) and Joshua Nichols (Business).
From Dowagiac Union students honored included Laura Hewitt (Computers III) who enjoyed cake with her family as it was her 18th birthday; Amanda Mengel (Agriscience), David Moran (Computers III), Torie Nelson (Computers III), Matthew Riggs (Computers III), Bradley Seifferlein (Automotive), Dustin Shaffer (Computers III), and Megan Wheeler (Computers III).
From Edwardsburg High School honored were John Blume (Business), Anthony Catanzarite (Machine Tool-Elkhart), Amanda Drake (Culinary Arts-Elkhart), Aaron Hassinger (Business), Amanda Rangel (Business), Jennifer Sheneman (Business), and Shana Stoops (Computerized Accounting II).
Alanna Smeltzer (Cooperative Education) from Marcellus High School was also honored.
Students received a certificate and plaque as an outstanding student.