Schuylkill Technology Center students serve community, get hands-on lessons – Pottsville Republican Herald

After spending two days digging a trench and working to replace a water line at a baseball complex in Pottsville, a team of students from the Schuylkill Technology Center could feel the toll of their efforts.

They were sore, had gotten their hands dirty, and got some sun on their faces.

But they also felt good about the quality of the work they’d done, the skills they’d learned, and that they’d given back to the community, they said.

And that is why as often as possible, students from STC’s south campus in MarLin and its north campus in Frackville undertake those types of projects out-in-the-field. The recipients are nonprofit groups, municipalities, or school districts that need work done.

The school only makes the customers pay for materials, not for labor, and therefore provides a much-needed savings to those recipients, said Shannon Brennan, director of career and technical education.

Brennan said that she is repeatedly impressed by the work the students do, whether it’s making desserts to be served at school competitions, writing press releases for local nonprofits, assisting with marketing campaigns for libraries, making trophies for a regional spelling bee, or a host of other projects.

“I think that their creativity is amazing,” she said.

The students also strive to be professional, said south campus plumbing instructor Bob Greiner and social studies teacher Gary Hess, who led a group of eight students.

Plumbing students from Schuylkill Technology Center’s south campus in MarLin who replaced a water line at the Babe Ruth League baseball field in Pottsville included Ron Peleschak, left, Ben Lagaza, right, and Carsyn Stiely, back. (PHOTO COURTESY OF SCHUYLKILL TECHNOLOGY CENTER)

The project took place at the Pottsville Jaycee Babe Ruth Baseball Complex on Peacock Street, where a broken water line had cut the water supply to the concession stand and sprinklers, said Duane Hess, league president.

The students and Greiner successfully…

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