With proud parents looking on, 16 Senior students of the SCILL Center Auto Tech class received their diplomas last night.
Filling in for the announced speaker, Dr. Dane Miller, Founder of Biomet in Warsaw, the Executive Director of the SCILL Center, Jerry Gurrado, urged the graduates to use the knowledge gained to do great things in the future.
Borrowing from some of the notable people that he has met in his career as a high school coach, including the illustrious Johnny Wooden, Gurrado exhorted the students to follow their dreams.
“Dreams can come true, and by realizing your dreams you can inspire those who follow you in this unique class to realize theirs too,” Gurrado said.
Gurrado pointed out that this is one of only two auto tech high school classes in the state. The other is in the largest school in Indiana, Ben Davis High School.
Also recognized were the two instructors, Rod Dawson and Mark Anderson. Over 500 students have graduated from this class since its beginning.
Announcing the students who won various scholarships was George Mammarella, a member of the SCILL Advisory Board.
The “Top Gun” award was given to Anthony Chasse. This award is given to the student who accumulated the most points over a two year career. In giving the award, Rod Dawson said there was one point difference between the “Top Gun” and the runner-up, Thomas Carey.
In closing remarks, Dr. Ron May, President of Ancilla College, said, “You students leave here tonight with something few high school seniors have – a marketable skill.”
