CAT Pickering honors distinguished alumni

Induction into the CAT Pickering Student Hall of Fame signifies the highest level of recognition a graduate can receive from the school. Inductees are chosen for this prestigious award based on the fact that they had consistently carried out the responsibilities of a student at an outstanding level, have made a significant impact on their profession, and have demonstrated a strong sense of civic duty through community service.

Although the purpose of the hall of fame is to honor past graduates, each inductee praised the school and the technical education he received while attending there.

Michael Fedin, welding class of 1976, feels that receiving a technical education is a way to open many doors. “Welding is a really great trade. There are many great routes you can go with that,” said Fedin.

“At the technical school, I learned a real, strong group of basic skills. I was then able to take those skills, get out into the real world, and add to those skills,” said Fedin. “Even after you graduate from a technical high school, there are ways to add upon what you learned by going to a technical college. I wish I would have done that.”

Dennis March, welding class of 1978, was able to use what he learned while attending the school to open his own business, while still balancing family life and volunteer work.

“Dennis created his own business when he opened Kimberton Auto. Owning your own business is time consuming, but he has found the time to volunteer in the community,” said James Matty of March. “He volunteers as a KYAL coach, volunteers at Pathways School, volunteers at hitting and pitching clinics, among many other things. He does all of this along with being a husband and a father.”

March feels that a technical education is a great way to explore career options. “In your teenage years, not everyone knows exactly what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Technical schools allow you to explore the possibilities of what you can do with a particular trade and give more of a hands on exposure to things you typically would not have exposure to in high school,” said March.

“The teachers here are all very good. They are all extremely patient and understanding. There is a different atmosphere at this school. You still have to work, but it is more relaxed than the typical classroom.”

For Gary Miller, carpentry class of 1984, a CAT education was a verification of a childhood dream. “Going to this school confirmed for me what I thought at a very young age. It always amazed me to watch houses go up. Coming to a technical school helped me achieve what I knew I wanted.”

Miller was able to use what he learned to become successful after graduation. “I took what I learned here and went to an apprenticeship afterwards for carpentry. I was also able to start my own business fifteen years ago.”

Like the other inductees, Miller was selected for induction into the Hall of Fame also because of his commitment to service to the community. “Gary does a lot of volunteering. Some people volunteer to be recognized for their good deeds. Not Gary. Gary will do things without anyone realizing he is doing them,” said Rich Sim, presenter of Miller’s award.

Ian Thompson, security and police science class of 1990, was able to overcome adversity with the help of his CAT education. “Being dyslexic presented a lot of problems for me. The teachers did not let me use this as an excuse. Instead, they taught me how to function with it.”

“It is actually funny to me that an award is being given to me, when I feel like I should be giving an award to the school for all that they did for me. They cared about me and because of that, I was able to succeed.”

Thompson recommends a technical education for anyone who thinks any of the program areas at CAT may be of interest to them. “If you are thinking about attending a technical school, you need to first decide what kind of lifestyle you would like to have. For some, a technical education is just as useful as a college education. Once you have committed yourself to a technical skill, you should really try your best to become a master of that trade and respect it,” said Thompson.

“When you graduate from a technical school, you leave with a lot more than just a diploma. You leave with an entire set of skills,” said Thompson of his CAT education.

“I really learned how to think differently about processes used in the search to find real, practical solutions,” said Thompson. “I learned that security and police science is not just a physical science. It is about developing strategies to succeed.” Thompson uses these strategies on a daily basis in finding solutions to safety issues for clients of Standing Stone Consulting Inc., the company of which he is the vice president.

Also present at the ceremony were family, friends, and other alumni of the school. One such alumnus included Donald Szabo, auto mechanics class of 1971. Szabo was a 2005 inductee of the Hall of Fame and is a thirty-year veteran of the automotive industry.

Szabo, pleased with his education, gives much credit to the school for guiding him in his career path. “My goal was to get an education in automotives. Going to this school helped me achieve that goal,” said Sazbo “For anyone considering going to school here, I would suggest to look at the great display of graduates of any of the programs who have made something for themselves.”

Szabo still remains involved with many functions at CAT Pickering even years after graduating. These functions include judging for senior projects, attending advisory meetings, attending the Hall of Fame induction, and presenting a check at the awards banquet to two students on behalf of the Kimberton Lions Club, of which he is the president.

“I love coming to CAT Pickering because opening the door is like coming for the first day of class. It brings back such great memories. That is why it is always an honor to answer a call help out at the school.”