Grant Career Center recently hosted an luncheon for local first responders, as way to show the school’s appreciation for the hard working men and women serving in the field.
The luncheon was held on Feb. 12 at the vocational school, located at 718 West Plane St. in Bethel.
Students from the school’s culinary arts program prepared and served the meal, and students studying criminal justice got a chance to mingle with career professionals in their line of work.
Among those in attendance were members of the Bethel-Tate Fire and Police Departments, a retired Ohio State Highway Patrol Officer and a dispatcher.
Grant Career Center Superintendent Michael Parry said it was great to have the attendees join the students for the luncheon.
“It’s wonderful to connect with those folks, and they do so much for our facility here, being in Bethel, and our students,” he said.
Bethel Chief of Police Steve Teague, who attended the lunch with his wife Tracey Teague, applauded the school for hosting the luncheon.
“It’s great to have the appreciation from [the school],” he said, adding, “We try to make contacts with students all the time, whether its through public relations or something else, and it’s nice to have the students appreciate us back, and just trying to make that connection between first responders and the youth, which is a fantastic thing to do.”
Tristin Coloson-Wright, a junior in the school’s criminal justice program, said the luncheon gave him an opportunity to interface with professionals working in the same careers that he’s considering.
He said, “I love talking to the first responders and active duty military, because they always have good stories and good insight for the future, because obviously I haven’t experienced things like that.”