A Springfield High School alumni joined four fellow Penta Career Center alumni who were recognized at the 29th Outstanding Alumni awards banquet on November 18.
William (Marty) Self, a 2004 graduate of Penta’s A+ computer technology program and SHS, is among 168 former students who have been recognized for their achievements.
Ken Sutter, Penta board president, welcomed this year’s recipients. “It is an honor for me to participate in this event.”
Mr. Sutter noted that due to the pandemic, the board was unable to recognize the 2020 honorees last year. “We are so happy to recognize both the 2020 and 2021 outstanding alumni recipients. On behalf of the Penta board of education, congratulations,” he said.
Ryan Lee, career center director, commended the former Penta students for the excellence they have displayed and the success they achieved after leaving the career center. “This is our 29th year of celebrating the accomplishments of our Penta alumni, and we know our member school representatives are equally proud of them.”
Superintendent Ed Ewers pointed out that “each recipient has their own unique story to share about how their career-technical education helped them to reach their personal and professional goals.”
“Our outstanding alumni are advocates of career-technical education. They frequently mention how their Penta training provided them with a strong foundation to prepare for their careers and recognize the support of the staff who helped them build skills and self-confidence to be successful in life,” he said.
Mr. Ewers noted a common thread woven into the fabric of each alum is the pride they take in their careers as well as their communities. “Outstanding alumni recipients enjoy giving back to the community. They participate in organizations through their employers and through family activities.”
The superintendent added, “We are always happy to see former students accomplish their goals after leaving high school. Their success validates the mission of Penta Career Center to provide high-quality, career-technical training.”
Mr. Lee presented recipients with their awards in the Fred Susor auditorium following a gourmet dinner prepared by students in the culinary arts program.
Alumni also were recognized by State Senator Theresa Gavarone, who presented each honoree with a commendation from the Ohio Senate.
In the commendations, the senate noted, “your superb professional successes readily explain why you were selected for this tribute, which acknowledges the energy and expertise you have exhibited as a graduate of Penta career Center.”
“We are certain that in the years to come, you will continue to demonstrate the same unwavering commitment to excellence for which you have become known, and you are truly deserving of acknowledgment.”
Each recipient shared their stories. Mr. Self expressed appreciation to the instructors and staff at Penta “for everything you have done for me.”
The owner of PC Arena of Holland, he recalled struggling in public school and being homeschooled until coming to Penta. He really wanted to study computer programming, but was originally put off because there was “so much reading.”
“I tried interactive media for one year, but I was drawn to A+ computer technology.” His instructor, Dan Wyandt, encouraged him to complete the two-year program in his senior year. “I was proud to be able to complete it,” he said, adding, “I found myself exceeding beyond belief.”
He credits Mr. Wyandt for his success in the IT industry.
After leaving Penta, he furthered his education with an associate degree in technology from Information Technologies Tech in Canton, Michigan.
A few months after graduation, Mr. Self went to work for a local website company Aktion Associates, a leading IT consulting company in Toledo. In addition, prior to graduating, he started his own website company, PC Arena, which buys, sells and repairs computers and other electronics.
His flexible schedule at Aktion allowed him to work for the National Security Agency as a subcontractor computer technician, assisting the agency with confidential assignments.
In 2015 he accepted a position at the University of Toledo Medical Center as an instructional media specialist.
Mr. Self is dedicated to supporting charities, and the income he raises through PC Arena is given to local organizations such as Cherry Street Mission and Vision Ministries. He also gives back to Penta with job shadowing opportunities and serves as an advisory board member for the school’s information technologies academy.
Other 2021 honorees include:
•Bradley Buchanan, Woodmore, construction remodeling–Class of 2003, project superintendent for ARCO National Construction;
•Michael Crawford, Bowling Green, marketing education–Class of 1997, owner/president of MPC Performance Consulting in Bowling Green;
•Linda (Whitney) Henry, Otsego, horticulture–Class of 1971, owner of Keepsake Floral in Maumee, and
•Don (Pattrick) Przysiecki, Rossford, welding–Class of 1973, retired welder, a magician and owner of Patt’s Matts.
Also recognized were 2020 recipients:
•Christopher Gunderman, Anthony Wayne, carpentry– Class of 1998;
•Alicia (Gorsuch) Holdren, Lake, administrative assistant– Class of 2007;
•Ryan Jones, Anthony Wayne, security and law enforcement–Class of 1998, and
•Chrystal (Moore) Shanahan, Maumee, marketing education–Class of 1998.
~Jane Maiolo
