CLEARFIELD – Each year, the Clearfield County Career and Technology Center’s staff recognizes an outstanding student and faculty member. Ironically this year, they saw the two excel together in the school’s health occupations program.
Lois Richards, executive director for the CCCTC, announced Dawn Irey as this year’s outstanding student recipient. She said Irey is currently a student at the West Branch Area High School.
Richards said Beth Rhymestine was selected as this year’s outstanding instructor. She indicated that Rhymestine has earned a bachelor’s degree and is enrolled in a graduate program.
“She’s very talented and a real go-getter,” Richards said. She said Rhymestine has raised the benchmark for her students and the program as a whole. She said they have a higher percentage of students who pursue a college education and nursing careers.
She said Irey was among the students who benefited from the work of Rhymestine. She said Rhymestine actually nominated Irey for the outstanding student award.
Looking back two years, Rhymestine said she was uncertain of Irey’s commitment to and interest in the program. She said neither she nor Irey knew what the future had in store.
“You’re never really sure. But as soon as the first year got rolling, her interest and dedication became very clear,” Rhymestine said. “She didn’t see any challenge as an obstacle but an opportunity.”
Irey’s aunt, Deborah McLaughlin echoed similar thoughts of her niece. She said Irey often expressed her goals without the slightest bit of hesitation.
“She would say, ‘I’m going to do this,’ and she then she did it. She never asked for help. She just did it,” McLaughlin said.
Rhymestine said Irey has not only grown as a student, but also as a young woman and professional.
She said Irey has served as an intern at the Mountain Laurel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She said she has been accepted into the practical nursing program at the CCCTC.
When accepting her award plaque, Irey recalled her career choice of two years ago. At that time, she admitted she wasn’t sure if it was the “right choice.” But since then she said she believes it was the “best choice.”
Irey said she had the opportunity to study her future career with students from the other member schools. She said it resulted in a positive learning environment that equipped her with the “education and experience to move ahead.”
“I really love this place,” Irey said, as she made her way to shake Richards’ hand. Assistant Director William Carbone said they were all very proud of Irey.
Carbone said Irey “really turned it up” and evolved into an amazing student during her time at the CCCTC. He said he believed she was “very deserving” of the award.
“The sky is the limit for her,” Rhymestine said.
Richards said Irey was selected as the outstanding student recipient by a panel of business professionals. She said Irey would be the student speaker at the school’s graduation ceremony on June 3.