A former FCTS graduate went back to school at age 35 this fall to train in Horticulture in the hopes of embarking on a new career.
Jacob Miner of Greenfield, graduated from the school's Culinary Arts program in 2007 and worked as a teacher in Springfield for a number of years. He graduated with a certification of completion in Horticulture on December 12 from Franklin County Technical School's Career Technical Institute program.
Miner was one of 36 graduates to complete 12-week courses in Automotive Technology, Electrical, Horticulture, and Welding and Metal Fabrication. These programs are free as long as students meet the income criteria set by the Commonwealth Corporation and Massachusetts Governor's office.
The crowded graduation ceremony was held in the Common Eagle cafeteria and was attended by the graduates’ family and friends. Instructors in the programs handed out the certificates.
Miner was also presented with the Rooted in Resilience Award in recognition for his patience in being able to enroll in the program. He had hoped to enroll for the spring semester this year, but the program was not yet off the ground. Barbara Crane of Florence also shared the award.
“I love to work outside with my hands,” Miner said. “I wanted to change careers. I didn’t know what to expect when I enrolled in the program. I loved it and learned a lot. Now I’ll be looking for a fulltime job.”
Justin Lawrence, the FCTS Adult Education Coordinator, hosted the event and told the graduates they should be proud of themselves for continuing to “live busy lives, working jobs and raising children, and somehow have dedicated five hours a night, four days a week for at least 12 weeks to earn a new life for themselves and their families.”
FCTS Superintendent Richard Martin said he was looking forward to expanding the school’s adult evening programs.
“We’re not going to stop dreaming and rest on our laurels,” Martin said. “We’ll continue to strive for excellence in our day and evening programs.”
Amy Rodriguez, 33, of Orange graduated from the Welding and Metal Fabrication program. She has a bachelor degree in fine art and hopes to use her new welding skills in her art.
“I was looking for a job and I heard about this opportunity,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to develop a new skill set and I’ll use this to do some decorative welding.”
Malcom Burris of Greenfield also graduated from the Horticulture program. A developer of natural remedies and products, he said he hopes to further skills by learning to make dried food and vegetables. Burris would also start his own farm one day.
“At 51, I want to help others,” he said.
The CTI will again offer Automotive Technology, Electrical, Horticulture, and Welding and Metal Fabrication, and will add Carpentry as free programs in the spring. For more information about CTI and other evening Adult Education Programs: www.fcts.us/apps/pages/AdultEd
The list of fall graduates:
Auto Technology
Ernst Corielan (Greenfield)
Kellan Decot (Turners Falls)
Jose Delgado (Orange)
Li-Ming Dolan (Northampton)
Bericot Etienne (Greenfield)
Venel Jean Baptiste (Greenfield)
Raine Newton (Greenfield)
Zachary Serrell (Greenfield)
Petelson Terzy (Greenfield)
Allen Woodruff (Montague)
Electrical
Brian Bailey (Wendell)
Dean Bianchi (Phillipston)
Malik Burris (Greenfield)
Marc-Styvenson Coquillon (Greenfield)
Austin Hill (Bernardston)
Scott Kielbowicz (Northampton)
Asher Knuteson (Hadley)
Tenzen Norlha (South Deerfield)
Reginald Nose (Turners Falls)
Nick Orsini (Montague)
Chris Parcells (Turners Falls)
Horticulture
Michelle Burris (Amherst)
Malcom Burris (Greenfield)
Barbara Crane (Florence)
Andrew Del Valle (Greenfield)
Toni Guiod (Greenfield)
Jacob Miner (Greenfield)
Pam Nuovo (Bernardston)
Welding
Silas Anderson (Ashfield)
Jacquelyn Campos (Greenfield)
Frankie Chiodo (Wendell)
Cameron Johnson (Northampton)
Nicholas Laudani (Orange)
Armani Rivera (Orange)
Amy Rodriguez (Orange)
Celee Smythkowski (Amherst)
Del Valle also won the Jocelyn Croft Award for Perseverance. Lawrence said he won because he “dug down deep, worked hard, and flourished during these last 12 weeks. His strength, determination and artistic ability have served him well and will be an asset to any employer.”