JANESVILLE — Thirty-three high school students signed on with 11 area employers as part of the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance (SMA)’s Fifth Annual Manufacturing Signing Day on May 28. Some will be attending Blackhawk Technical College, some will be continuing their education elsewhere, and others will be going directly into the field.
Sponsored by JP Cullen, CCI, The Morse Group, Snap-On Tools and Blackhawk, the event honored the students chosen for various employment opportunities, including apprenticeships, internships and full-time positions.
“Today is all about the opportunities for these graduates,” said Jaron Combs, SMA board chair and senior vice president of operations at Mid-State Concrete Industries.
Joined by their employers, each student in attendance took the stage to sign a commemorative board and put on a hat representing their new company. Students also received an SMA hat to commemorate the partnership between employers and SMA.
Guest speaker David Polk, director of Wisconsin apprenticeship at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, underscored the vital importance of the support needed for apprenticeships. Polk, a third-generation licensed plumber, has helped Wisconsin continue its trend of setting participation records for registered apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship.
“All the moving parts that have to come together are complex,” Polk said, adding he hopes the SMA and related partnerships make getting into apprenticeship programs less complex. He also shared his appreciation for the circular path many apprentices follow, from being a learner to eventually being a teacher for the next generation. “I am so very, very excited about the students today who will come back as mentors in the future.”
Evan Noble, a Blackhawk alumnus who works at Scot Forge, spoke directly to the 33 high school graduates: “Take advantage of all the opportunities you can. It makes a big difference in your life.”
Scholarships awarded
The SMA Scholarship Awards were also presented at the signing event. Through the Blackhawk Technical College Foundation, the SMA gives out $10,000 in scholarships each year. Each of the five students awarded receives a $2,000 scholarship that is split semester and $1,000 for the spring semester.
JP Cullen, The Morse Group and CCI each donated funds so that students could each receive a $100 Blain’s Farm & Fleet gift card. The gift cards are intended to be used for work boots, work apparel and other needed supplies.
Students awarded scholarships include:
Lilly Schoger, Brody Scott, Megan Sullivan, Kayden Teasdale, Dawson Van Fleet
The students honored, listed by their high school and employers, are:
The Caldwell Group, Inc.
Jesus Arrieta, Hononegah
Emerson Gantz, Hononegah
Drew Shockley, Hononegah
Frito-Lay
Marcus De La Cruz, Beloit Memorial
Hexpol
Daniel Rocco, Whitewater
Jones Dairy Farm
Hunter Mentch, Jefferson
Ayden Mitchell, Jefferson
Kuhn North America, Inc.
Lane Visger, Brodhead
The Morse Group
Miguel Aguilar, Beloit Memorial
Riley McKillips, The Lincoln Academy
Jacob Popp, Beloit Memorial
Alex Slown, Beloit Memorial
Adrian Woodman, Evansville
Pieper Electric, Inc.
Mason Brown, Evansville
Prent Corporation
Dawson Van Fleet, The Lincoln Academy
Scot Forge
Christopher Gross, Clinton graduate
Mikael Higginson, Elkhorn
Aidan Kerl, Clinton
Drew Maly, Clinton
Joe Price, FJ Turner
Kaden Randall, The Lincoln Academy
Mason Rooney, Janesville Parker
Jacob Schuenke, Delavan-Darien
Ryan Thomas, FJ Turner
Jayven Willger, Clinton
Stoughton Trailers
Etienn Cayou, McFarland
Anna Maudlin, McFarland
Parker Thur, Edgerton
United Alloy
Olivia Bovial, Big Foot
Gabe Krieser, The Lincoln Academy
Colin Mortimer, Janesville Craig
Madex Norman, Janesville Parker
Jadon Upham, Janesville Parker
