The Leadership Adirondack (LADK) class of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) has awarded scholarships to three students.
Each year, the class chooses a community project, which in past years consisted of raising money for a local nonprofit organization. This year the class of 2019-20 chose to partner with WSWHE BOCES and the Employment Training for Adults Program (ETA) to provide a scholarship to help increase the number of skilled trade workers needed in the region.
The scholarship is intended to help individuals 18 years or older to start or extend their careers within the BOCES Skilled Trades curriculum and will provide financial assistance to eligible students in the ARCC’s service area who wish to enroll in one of the skilled trades programs.
“These scholarships were 100 percent funded by our local business community. Many thanks to all those who donated to support individuals who want to live, learn and work in our region, said Michael Bittel, ARCC president and CEO.
Before completing the Leadership Adirondack program in February, the class designated a scholarship committee to review applications and determine recipients. Scholarships are awarded quarterly. The scholarship committee determines whether to award the whole amount to one recipient, or to split it among a few.
“During a period of record unemployment, I am proud to be a part of the LADK Scholarship Committee with an eye on the future of our local community and thankful to all the local businesses and individuals who came together to support our program. Thanks to them, over $26,000 will be available to assist the upcoming generation of our skilled trades workforce,” said Christopher Ristau, manager of the Park Theater and LADK Scholarship Committee member.
The scholarship committee decided to split the $2,500 scholarship between three recipients: Dody Dupre, who is currently seeking a Class A CDL; Michael Mellini, who is currently seeking certification in welding I, welding II, welding III; and Yvonne VanDesveer, who is currently seeking a Class A CDL.
The scholarship Committee consists of: Ristau, Jason Hunt (Hunt Companies, Inc.), Stacy Smith (Hudson Headwaters Health Network), Megan Bishop (Lehigh Cement), Lisa Baker (Warren Washington Association for Mental Health), Brice Amsden (The VMJR Companies), Kasey Norton (Glens Falls National Bank), Jocelyn Blanchard (Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL), Sean Dion (Mr. Electric of Queensbury), and Lisa Fish (The Sagamore Resort).