31 graduates advance to trades and college
The commencement ceremony for the first-ever graduating class of the Construction Careers Center (CCC) was filled with joy as those in attendance celebrated graduates and the accomplishments of the school.
The June 28 ceremony, held at the Millenium Student Center at
the University of Missouri-St. Louis, looks to the success of the 31
graduating seniors, who now have several choices for their future, including
entering a trade or continuing their education. Twenty-one graduates already
have employment in construction fields, while ten plan to continue their
education. There are budding architects, engineers, electricians, painters,
brick layers and operating engineers in the group.
Those in attendance at the ceremony included CCC Board President Rich
Ledbetter, CCC Administrator William A. Scheffler, teachers, students and
supporters. Commencement speaker Cleveland Hammonds Jr., former
Ssuperintendent, St. Louis Public Schools, encouraged the students to
continue on their trailblazing path.
As the first graduates of the first school of its kind, the class of 2005 is a milestone for the CCC, a groundbreaking educational initiative. Not only did graduates receive a high-school level curriculum, they were also trained in different areas of construction. “When you entered this school, you took a chance and already look how it has paid off,” said Dr. Hammonds. “If you remain committed to your goals and continue to persevere, I have no doubt to your future success.”
The Construction Careers Center is the first charter high school sponsored
by the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis (AGC) and St. Louis
Public Schools and approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It provides students an excellent foundation in academics, broad exposure to the construction industry and relevant vocational educational preparation. The curriculum is specifically designed by the construction industry to prepare students for entry into direct employment, a construction apprenticeship training program, a community college or a four-year degree-granting institution.
“The things that I have learned here have opened up so many doors to my
future,” said CCC graduate Alicia Moore. “I got a good education and I was
also able to develop different skills, something that I wouldn’t be able to
in a traditional high-school.”
Proposed to help bolster quality and availability of skilled construction
professionals and tradespeople for the St. Louis region, the CCC provide
students a four-year, fully-accredited high-school-level curriculum along
with a comprehensive range of construction and related professional
disciplines. The school opened its doors to its first class of freshman-year
students in 2001. Subsequent grades have been added each year, and the
school currently has 280 students enrolled in grades nine through twelve.
“The Construction Careers Center is about giving students an exceptional
education, teaching them construction skills and instilling in them a sense
of community,” said Rich Ledbetter, CCC Board President. “Today is great
day, but we also recognize that this is just the beginning of our work to
attract young people into the construction industry, and we have another
school year starting in just two months.”
“This school is a testament to the determination of our industry to open the
doors to young people who want to challenge themselves with a new career
opportunity,” said Leonard Toenjes, AGC president. “We are so gratified that 21 of our students are seeking employment in various construction fields and 10 are going on to continue their education.”
Amid the celebrations, those in attendance also remembered Rick Grebel, one of the driving forces of the school, who passed away earlier this year.
Grebel, who served as the CCC board president, was instrumental in not only developing the school and its curriculum but also garnering support for the school from its inception.
The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis is the united voice of the
area construction industry, representing over 450 area construction firms.
Last year alone, AGC of St. Louis member firms built projects worth more
than $1.6 billion throughout the St. Louis region.
