Seniors in the Carpentry program at Connellsville Area Career & Technical Center (CACTC) were recognized on May 8 in a ceremony lead by Nick Farris, the Carpentry instructor. Farris introduced each student, shared their plans for after graduation, and gave insight to their personality and work ethic. After their bio, each student received a tool bag filled with equipment and a boxed circular saw. The Carpentry program was also presented with a grant award from the Sturge Hughes Memorial Fund.
The Sturge Hughes Memorial Fund, held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC), has awarded a grant to CACTC for nine years in a row to help build up the trade programs. The fund was created by Regina Hughes in honor of her late husband, Sturge, to continue his legacy in the community and in the carpentry industry. Previous grants have also supported the Masonry program at CACTC.
Jerry Matthews, retired CACTC Carpentry instructor, recalls Regina sitting down with him and asking “how can I help?” Her generosity has provided support for field trips, projects, tools, and other needs of the program.
Regina’s son, Jeff Butela, and grandson, Ryan Butela, spoke to the seniors about their careers as home builders — both in management and hands-on construction. They emphasized the value of trade skills, whether the students would pursue it as their primary career or keep it as another tool in their toolbox for the future (pun intended).
The Sturge Hughes Memorial Fund is a meaningful way for the family to honor Sturge and his dedication to helping young people learn, start a career, and grow in the carpentry field. Regina shares that same passion for mentoring the younger generation, which she applied during her career at a utility company and continues to do through her charitable giving.
Photo courtesy of CACTC: Ryan Butela, Nick Farris, Rebecca Wardle, Jeff Butela
“These Carpentry students are learning workforce-ready skills. Their projects building sheds, picnic tables, and benches are able to go straight out into the community, and the foundation is happy to facilitate support for that,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
CACTC provides thirteen (13) technical programs and academic courses. Part of the Connellsville Area School District, 9th and 10th graders can attend technical programs during morning or afternoon sessions, while 11th and 12th grade students can attend full-time. This year, there were eleven (11) seniors in the Carpentry program.
