Manufacturing bursaries handed out by community partners

CTMA, Integrity Tool & Mold and Centreline present awards

A special ceremony was held June 9 to recognize three North Star High School students who received bursaries from community partners of the manufacturing department. Back row (from left): North Star principal Kyle Berard, John Heath (Centreline), T.J. Thornton (Centreline), Karl Mroczkowski (Centreline), Jake Peddie (Integrity), Tanya Steer (Integrity), Mike Vannie (CTMA) and Greater Essex County District School Board director of education Vicki Houston. Front row (from left): teacher Rodney Levesque, Jacob Courtney (Integrity Tool & Mold recipient), Ehtan Chartier (Centreline recipient), Jeremy Grimaldi (CTMA recipient), teacher Glen Holden.

Three North Star High School manufacturing students have received bursaries thanks to community partners in the area.

Jeremy Grimaldi, Jacob Courtney and Ethan Chartier received bursaries as part of a special ceremony held June 9 in manufacturing teacher Glen Holden’s shop. 

Grimaldi was recognized by the Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA), Courtney by Integrity Tool & Mold and Chartier by Centreline.

Holden said the event was an opportunity to recognize the students and to thank the community partners as well. He encouraged students to stick with the program, noting it can lead to rewarding and lucrative careers.

The businesses, Holden added, do a lot to assist the students including making donations and accepting the students into their manufacturing facilities.

Mike Vannie represented the CTMA and said they work with 160 high schools across Canada. The organization helps bring modern equipment into high schools and to ensure staff are up to speed on how to use it.

Vannie praised Grimaldi’s efforts in earning the bursary, and praised the work ethic he has shown along the way.

“You are definitely on the right career path,” said Vannie.

Tanya Steer and Jake Peddie represented Integrity, with Steer noting there are a lot of opportunities within the company, with Steer pointing out there are a lot of different career paths students can choose. 

Steer added there are chances for co-op and OYAP placements within the company.

Peddie said he graduated from General Amherst High School five years ago and has worked his way up to where he is a leader within his plant.

“He’s led by example,” added Steer.

Karl Mroczkowski, John Heath and T.J. Thornton from Centreline noted the work they do and how they work with schools on OYAP placements.

“There are a lot of opportunities for people,” stated Thornton.

Heath added many of the OYAP students they take in from local high schools are still with the company.

The students said they were pleased to receive the bursaries. Courtney said    

“I just like working with my hands” as to why he enjoys the work that he does while Grimaldi added “there’s never a boring moment.”  

Chartier added he also enjoys doing what he does.

Manufacturing bursaries handed out by community partners

By Ron Giofu