Rockridge senior Grady Craver is a second-year student in the Welding Program at the Area Career Center. He participates in a Welding Internship at John Deere as part of his experiences.
Last fall, the students in the Welding II program competed in a contest where they created holiday-themed projects that demonstrated their welding skills. The projects were displayed and were part of a raffle during a Welding Open House that brought together John Deere and the Area Career Center. Grady’s project is an amazing piece of welding skill and artwork that shows Christmas trees, candy canes, a gingerbread house, a snowman, and John Deere “reindeer”.
Rockridge learned in early March that Ms. Carol Lewis from John Deere “won” the raffle by making a $1,500 donation to Rockridge High School for its Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program.
Mrs. Lewis noted that her career at John Deere spans 35+ years with her current position as Vice President, Labor Relations & Total Rewards. She shared that she and her family are all Rockridge alumni. Her mother, Donna Mack, was a JH English Teacher at Rockridge for many years. She asked that her donation to the CTE Program be made In Memory of her Parents, Francis & Donna Mack.
Rockridge High School made the decision to utilize the generous donation to benefit welding students at RHS. The funds were used to purchase a Welding Defects Kit. This will allow beginning welding students to compare their welds with examples that show the various correct techniques they are learning. This makes the project a “Full Circle” moment for our CTE program.
We wish to congratulate Grady on his success in the ACC Welding Program and wish him all the best with the John Deere Internship. We thank Mrs. Carol Lewis for her generous donation in memory of her parents and are hopeful this entire project will enhance the growth of our vocational programs at Rockridge High School!