Home Builders Association President Rob Howard, far right, presents representatives from Hickory High School the $1000 Vocational Education Grant. Pictured from left, Hickory High School student, Shawan Davis, teacher Dennis Scronce, and CTE Coordinator, Trina Williams.
The Home Builders Association of Hickory-Catawba Valley awarded Hickory High School’s Construction Technology department the 2009 Vocational Education Award at its November meeting. This annual award is given to an area high school that demonstrates exceptional dedication and creativity in a program designed to educate future members of the construction technologies industry.
The annual Vocational Education Award is accompanied by a grant for $1000 to aid the Construction Technology department in continuing their efforts to educate the next generation of the home building industry.
Last May the Home Builders Association of Hickory-Catawba Valley named Dennis Scronce Vocational Education Teacher of the Year. Scronce is the Construction Technology teacher at Hickory High School.
Scronce’s extensive involvement inside and outside of the classroom illustrates he has a genuine concern for the success and future of his students. With 30 years in the construction industry, his knowledge has benefited his students and he continuously seeks new resources.
Scronce received NCCER Master Training for Instructors. His NCCER accreditations assure that his students are receiving quality construction education. Scronce encouraged collaboration between educators and the Hickory-Catawba Valley Home Builders Association. An Honorary Educational Affiliate membership was developed by the association as a result of his efforts. He has volunteered his time to attend the HBA’s monthly membership meetings to make new contacts to continue benefiting his students’ educational needs. Scronce has also reached out for community support by establishing the Construction Technology Advisory Council to help provide support and technical advice.
“This is an opportunity for the students to network with individuals in the field of construction and learn about this demanding and exciting career,” said Mr. Scronce. “The funds received will be used to build additional hands on displays, and purchase new tools and equipment that are being introduced to the construction industry. The training and preparing of our students for the workforce is very important to me as an educator.” With his passion for the industry and education, Scronce has renewed the construction vocational education courses at Hickory High School and created great opportunities for all students interested in the construction industry.
Dennis Scronce, Hickory High School’s Construction Technology teacher, was named Teacher of the Year by the Home Builders Association of Hickory-Catawba Valley.