Two HNHS students select their careers

Shown in the photo above, front row, from left, include Rheas Beard, Hayden Beard and Deb Meier, Huntington County Jail. Back row, from left, are Terry Stoffel, Learning Center instructor, Dianne Beard, Skyler Beard, Dave Jackson, Dee Wagner and Chad Hammel, chief deputy, Huntington County Sheriff’s Department. Pictured below inside the story, front row, Landin Plasterer and McKynzi Grayless, Novae Corporation. Back row, Allen Karst, Learning Center instructor; Lucas Plasterer, Anthony Plasterer and Julia Plasterer.

Article by HCCSC

A pair of Huntington North High School students made their post-graduation plans official at the Huntington County Community Learning recently.

Seniors Landin Plasterer and Hayden Beard signed paperwork to begin their respective professional careers while completing their high school studies.

Plasterer began an internship as a welder at Novae Corporation in January while completing the welding courses at the Learning Center, and Beard began his law enforcement career as a jailer at the Huntington County Jail in February.

“My internship is giving me a lot of experience,” Plasterer said of his decision to join the workforce. “I feel my productivity and quality of welding will only be better because I did this internship while still in high school.”

Learning Center welding instructor Allen Karst credits Plasterer’s opportunity to get started at Novae to his focus within the program over the last two years.

“His dedication and perseverance to his education is starting to pay off with dual credits, OSHA, and AWS certifications and now an internship to get his career started,” Karst said.

While working at the jail, Beard also plans to continue his post-secondary education at Indiana Wesleyan University.

“The Criminal Justice program has given me the chance to explore opportunities for my desired career, younger than most people,” said Beard, who plans to major in Criminal Justice and minor in Ministry. “Working at the jail now helps me learn how to talk to people with different backgrounds better than a typical student who hasn’t dealt with intense situations.”

Learning Center criminal justice instructor Terry Stoffel said it is Beard’s commitment to the field that sets him apart.

“I feel he will go far in this area and exceed normal expectations,” Stoffel said. “He does a good job in class and is an excellent student. It has been an honor to have such an esteemed student in my class.”

The Huntington County Community Learning Center, located at 2201 N. Jefferson Street is a hub for career readiness, job search, workplace certifications and college learning opportunities. The center’s chief aim is to improve the skills of high school students and adult learners in Huntington County to meet the workforce needs of local industries. Among the center’s tenants are Ivy Tech Community College Northeast, WorkOne Northeast, Huntington County Community School Corporation and Huntington University. Impact Institute and the Huntington County 4-H Robotics Team are also located at the LC.