Wayne County Schools seeks alumni nominations

Nominate distinguished graduates by April 3 for recognition at Smithville's career center.

Three individuals holding awards at a ceremony.
Bill Hartzler, left, John Silvestri and Andrea Stahl were recognized as the Wayne County Schools Career Center Distinguished Alumni Class of 2025.

The Wayne County Schools Career Center is seeking nominations for Distinguished Alumni Awards from area employers, past and present staff, and the community. Nomination forms can be obtained at www.wcscc.org or by calling 330-669-7000 ext. 1202.

The annual awards are a means of recognizing career center graduates who have made contributions to their community and for their success in the world of work. The award is limited to those who have graduated from the career center and have been in the working world for at least five years (Class of 2021 or earlier).

Each candidate must have nomination forms completed by two different people, and the forms must be returned to Wayne County Schools Career Center, Attn: Heather Lessiter, 518 W. Prospect St., Smithville, OH 44677, or emailed to hlessiter@wcscc.edu by April 3. A committee of representatives from local businesses and industries and past and present career center staff members will make the selections.

Recipients from 2025 included Bill Hartzler, co-owner of Lowe & Young LLC; John Silvestri, owner of Silvestri Construction; and Andrea Stahl, corrections officer with the Northeast Reintegration Center.

Each honoree will receive a plaque at the career center’s Senior Recognition Ceremony in May. A matching plaque will be displayed at the career center.