163 Students Graduate From Gerald R. Claps Career and Technical Center

By Elizabeth Sobel. 

The Wisdom Lane Middle School auditorium was filled with applause and well wishes from family, administrators and staff as 163 students received their certificates of completion from the Levittown School District’s Gerald R. Claps Career and Technical Center program on Thursday, June 13.

Director Audre Midura congratulated the students on being part of the 31st graduating class, which has grown to accommodate programs including police science/EMT studies, cosmetology, computer animation, architectural drafting, automotive technology, carpentry, culinary arts, electrical technology, graphic arts and medical assisting.

 “All of you are on the right track for success and have been given an advantage by receiving technical training,” Midura said. 

During the student address to the Class of 2013, SkillsUSA President Michelle Licciardo thanked the administration and staff for their support throughout her enrollment in the program and told fellow classmates that she would describe the program as exceptional.

 “Our experiences have prepped us for college and the real world,” she said. “In addition, I have learned a great deal about myself.”

Student awards and scholarships were bestowed upon many of the graduates. Outstanding students also received commendations, including:

Architectural Drafting – Louie Bruni

Automotive Technology – Nicholas Genari and Patrick Kelly

Carpentry – Kyle Von Glahn

Computer Animation – Lawrence G. Timpano

Cosmetology – Stephanie Esposito and Kaitlin Moss

Culinary Arts – Stephanie Hsu

Electrical Technology – Brian Johnson

Graphic Arts – Frankie Piacente

Medical Assisting – Shujawodin Azizi

Police Science/EMT-B – Victoria Capone

 The students were then called one by one to receive their certificates. Prior to the closing of the ceremony, the audience and graduates watched a slide presentation that recapped the year, put together by students enrolled in the computer animation program.