9-20-2020 5:28pm

It's All In The Henrich Family

Rick Amburgey Neighbor

Two siblings with very different career goals both found the path to success at WCCC. Sam Henrich, Class of 2018 Carpentry, and Elly Henrich, Class of 2020 Veterinary Science and WCCC Valedictorian, both had great experiences at WCCC and are moving up in their career paths.

Their parents, both educators, were very pleased with the education their children received at WCCC. “At first, we were hesitant, and Sam had to educate us on the type of education he wanted when he told us about the Carpentry program at the Career Center,” Ron Henrich said. “Sam wanted to concentrate on his career field and go straight to work. He is doing that now very successfully. I have become your biggest advocate when I talk to others about career tech. Veterinary Science prepared Elly so well for her career path, which is very different from her brother’s path. She is beginning at the College of Wooster and wants to become a Veterinarian.” “Both our kids are hands-on learning types,” Krista Henrich said.

“The Career Center teachers are all so friendly, and show love for their jobs, and their students.” Elly has begun her first year at The College of Wooster, and while it is different due to Covid restrictions, she is enjoying her experience.

She said her time in the WCCC Veterinary Science program prepared her for continuing into college, and for her career. She was recognized as the WCCC Class of 2020 Valedictorian, and in her speech on video encouraged her fellow members to remember it fondly, even though the year ended abruptly due to the pandemic and they missed out on prom and an in-person senior ceremony. Even though her brother had a great experience at WCCC, she was not sure about attending the school until she saw the lab and talked with instructor Maegan Peloe.

“At first, I wasn’t really considering the career center, but when I visited as a sophomore, I was amazed by the opportunities the Veterinary Science program offered, such as actually getting to perform surgeries, and caring for exotic animals,” Elly Henrich said.

“The instructor, Mrs. Peloe, showed us how many different career opportunities there are in this field.” Elly said she always had a dream to work with animals, and choosing the Veterinary Science program gave her opportunities to explore career options through field trips to the Cincinnati Zoo and the Newport Aquarium and learning about veterinary and grooming businesses.

“The Veterinary Science program is phenomenal and I am grateful for the opportunities I had,” she said. “I feel like I am more confident, and prepared for the future and whatever life throws at me. The Career Center prepared me for college, also. There is a misconception that you don’t go to college if you go there, but all of my friends are going to college.”

Sam is currently working in construction as a carpenter in partnership with his grandfather and also has been asked to join another general contractor for additional training and experience. He remembers his time, and teachers, at WCCC as beneficial and inspiring, and wrote us recently with an update:

“Ever since I went on a tour in 8th grade I felt drawn to the carpentry program, most likely because my grandfather was a carpenter as well, so I already had some interest going into it,” Sam said.

“When I went up with my family for the open house as a sophomore, I got to know some of the instructors better, specifically Mr. Gates, science, and Mr. Williamson, Carpentry. I could tell they really enjoyed teaching their subjects. The projects had more of a hands on approach than what I was used to. One of my favorite projects was the design and building of a trebuchet in Physics with Mr. Gates.

“Mr. Tarkin's style of teaching math pushed us to think about the numbers more and helped me to be smarter than the question. Mrs. Gates' Psychology course taught me a lot about the human mind and she was always supportive of me. Writing in Mr. Welsh's English class helped me realize how much I enjoyed learning the way things work, specifically in our government. Mr. Williamson was incredibly patient with the Carpentry class! Our first year we constructed sheds and he instructed us on how to frame a building, and many tricks to be quick and precise. He taught us how to use power tools in a safe and correct manner. My senior year, we worked on a two story concession stand with a 25-foot wrap around deck at Armco Park. We learned how to make stairs, construct a deck, and many aspects of finish carpentry.

“I took 3 CCP courses my senior year, including Calculus, English and Government. My remaining course was Consumer Math. Mr Ali insisted we do math without calculators which I had not done for a very long time and it helped me understand how numbers worked together, which complemented my calculus class as well as my carpentry course. I had Ms. Galluzo for Calculus. We learned how to apply math using real life problems. Mrs. McGhee taught me how to write a lot of detail for even the smallest of prompts, which may be why this is so long! Currently, I am trying to start my own business using all the skills I learned and interests I discovered at Warren County.”

* Story was written by district staff.