Alex Yarno Visits the Welding Class
Launch the media gallery 1 playerIt never ceases to bring a smile to Mr. Spangler's face when a former student pops by to share good news about their continued success.
Alex Yarno, who attended KACC's welding program 2008-2009 visited our current welding students. He did not just come for 15 or 20 minutes, he spent the entire school day at KACC speaking and sharing his story with all the welding students.
The following is an excerpt from his remarks:
"I attended the Career Center in 08-09 and had a very dedicated and skillful teacher who is full of knowledge, who was a teacher, mentor and friend to me. When I attended school here, I was a first-year senior. I didn't come as a junior because I had no knowledge of KACC. I do try to recruit young individuals to come to KACC whether it be for welding, construction, etc.
Since the Career Center, I have enrolled in classes at Kankakee Community College. I have since completed my Advanced Certificate in Welding Technology. Through my first semester, I was offered a job as a welding lab assistant and welding tutor. I believe they offered this to me because of the skills and attitude I acquired from Mike "grizzly bear" Spangler.
I'm continuing on in my education at the Commercial Diving Academy where I will work to become an underwater construction worker. I begin classes January 30th, 2012. I believe all this was achievable because of KACC and its welding instructor, Mike Spangler. I hope to see this school continue seeing students like me do as best as they can and become successful."
Thanks Alex for coming back to share your story with our current students. We know we make a difference in our students' lives, it just great to hear directly from students like yourself.
Best of luck in Commercial Diving Academy. We'll look forward to hear from you again in the future.