Press Release from GRTS

57 Graduate From GRTS
Pearce: Embrace change, work hard and treat others with respect
June 3 2013 CT

CAPTION: Graduates shook the hands of their individual program instructors at the GRTS graduation ceremony.

C-T Photos / Austin Buckner

A standing-room-only crowd packed the M. W. Jenkins Expo Center Friday evening for the 45th annual Grand River Technical School graduation exercises.

Roger Barnes, Superintendent of Chillicothe R-2 Schools, kicked off the evening with a welcome to graduates and guests. Barnes congratulated the graduates on behalf of the R-2 Board of Education.

GRTS Assistant Director Jayme Caughron introduced the event's address speaker, Missouri State Senator David Pearce. Pearce serves Caldwell, Carroll, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Ray and Saline counties in the 21st State Senatorial District.

Pearce's address focused on three central themes: embrace change, work hard and treat others with respect. Pearce told the graduates that 20 years ago, email, cell phones and tablet computers played no roll in his life. Today, his personal and professional life is dominated by technology. Pearce said to be successful, you have to be willing to adapt to change. "Change is all around us," he said. "The only thing constant we have in our lives is change. Change is always going to be around us, and it's important that we embrace change as much as possible." Pearce told the graduates to work hard, because success comes to those who work toward it. "If you think you can just sit on a sofa and somebody's going to come offer you a job, you're wrong," Pearce said. "The good things will happen to those people who are willing to work hard and get things done." Pearce said his third bit of advice was the most simple: treat others the way you want to be treated. "You can spend your time being mean, ugly and nasty; keeping score and getting even, or you can try to get along," Pearce explained. "You can try to work together and get things done for the greater benefit."

Two special honors were awarded at Friday's exercises. Julie Bothwell, of the Kenneth Churchill Foundation, presented Chris Todd, Building Trades Carpentry instructor at GRTS, with the Churchill Foundation GRTS Teacher's Scholarship.

Bill Shaffer, Applied Communications Instructor at GRTS, presented Jeff Frampton, chef at Hy-Vee in Chillicothe, with the Outstanding Service Award for all he has done to support GRTS and the community as a whole.


Julie Bothwell and Chris Todd	Bill Shaffer and Jeff Frampton
C-T Photos / Austin Buckner

A group of 57 graduates received their certificates at this year's ceremony. This year's list of graduates included:

Diesel Equipment Technology: Cody Bachtel, Hallsville; Taylor Bargfrede, Alma; Kyle Boland, Waverly; Trevor Corbin, Braymer; Daniel Gingerich, Jamesport; Garret Glascock, LaBelle; Ross Heimsoth, Concordia; Clinton Jones, Fayette; Trevor Kromeich, Braymer; Chance Limback, Corder; Daniel Nowland, Chillicothe; Travis Schneither, Dawn; Josh Thomas, Polo; Charles Turner, Jamesport.

C-T Photos / Austin Buckner

Child Care Services: Danielle Akers, Chillicothe; Phyllis Hibner, Chillicothe.

Collision Technology: Virgil Gray, Rothville; Talon Henderson, Unionville; Joshua Homen, Trenton; Eric Hughes, Chillicothe; Joseph James, Smithville; Tommy Roark, Jr., Lawson.

Building Trades: Austin Anderson, Chillicothe; James Wood, Unionville.

Auto Service Technology: Tyler Anderson, Trenton; David Brown, Greentop; Randall Endicott, Carrollton; Justin Ritchey, Jamesport; Jacob Slattery, Chillicothe; Taylor Vandever, Spickard.

Computer/Networking Technology: Tristan Biswell, Chillicothe; Brandon Cain, Braymer; Jonathan Englert, Trenton; Jevon Glasgow, Chillicothe; Holley Whiteman, Hale.

Advanced Computer/Networking Technology: Tyler Avriette, Gallatin; Josh Goedeke, Carrollton; Ben Troyer, Jamesport.

Industrial Maintenance Technology: Joseph Christenson, Trenton; Colton Jacobs, Brunswick; Hunter Keller, Chillicothe; Gregory Martinez, Laclede; Tyler Mason, Weatherby; Josh Rader, Tina; John Roney, Jr., Chillicothe; Mark Seaman, Chillicothe; Aaron Snuffer, Trenton; Kenyon Spainhour, Chillicothe; Wade Teter, Bevier; Trent Utt, Cowgill; Laremy Vass, Bevier.

Industrial Welding: Trenton Charles, Sweet Springs; Ronald Endicott, Carrollton; Connor Frazier, Bethany; Tyler Johnson, Princeton.

Advanced Industrial Welding: Luke Fritz, Bogard; Dakota Porter, Trenton.

Related Article: Wolf Brothers Retire from GRTS Leadership Roles

GRTS Graduation Friday evening
May 29, 2013 CT

A group of 57 students will graduate at this year's ceremony to be held at the M. W. Jenkins Expo Center at the Jerry Litton Agri-Science Learning Center. Grand River Technical School will hold their 45th annual graduation exercises on Friday.

A group of 57 students will graduate at this year's ceremony to be held at the M. W. Jenkins Expo Center at the Jerry Litton Agri-Science Learning Center. GRTS Co-Director Roger Wolf said this is the first time graduation exercises have taken place at the Litton Center. In recent years, the event has been held at the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center.

Roger Barnes, Superintendent of Chillicothe R-2 Schools, will welcome graduates and guests to Friday evening's event. GRTS Assistant Director Jayme Caughron will introduce the speaker.
Missouri State Senator David Pearce will present the evening's address. Pearce serves Caldwell, Carroll, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Ray and Saline counties in the 21st State Senatorial District.
Financial Aid Coordinator Marla Harrington will present this year's graduates. Roger Wolf and GRTS Co-Director Ron Wolf will present the graduates with their certificates.
Two special honors will be awarded at Friday's graduation exercises. Julie Bothwell, of the Kenneth Churchill Foundation, will present the Churchill Foundation GRTS Teacher's Scholarship. Bill Shaffer, Applied Communications Instructor, will present the Outstanding Service Award.
Business Instructor Jenny Hughes will close the ceremony.

Roger Wolf said he's proud that these students have chosen GRTS for their education. He said one of the main factors in many students deciding to enroll at this school is due to the reputation GRTS has in finding employment for their students. "We have 95 (percent) placement rate," Roger Wolf explained. "The students that come here realize that we're going to be able to get them jobs. We realize the most important thing that we do is get the students jobs. Our instructors do the placement. They know the industries that hire those students. We feel that one advantage we have over the four year schools is jobs."