Plumbers Bridge Program and Tech Campus Celebrates a Successful First Year
This year marked an exciting milestone for Lake County Tech Campus as they partnered for the first time with Plumbers’ Local 130 U.A. to participate in their Plumbers Bridge Program. This is a hands-on program that is designed to connect students directly to the skilled trades. Our first-year participating was a tremendous success and demonstrated the power of collaboration between industry and education.
Beginning in October, 16 Lake County Tech Campus students committed to the program, and all 16 successfully completed it and includes JHS senior, Gaven Hauck. This completion is a testament to their dedication, perseverance, and interest in pursuing careers in the plumbing trade. For three months, students dedicated spending two nights a week at the Volo Training Center to participate in the program. While all participants attend Tech Campus, they represent 10 different sending high schools and come from six different career and technical education programs, highlighting the program’s broad reach and appeal across the county.
Throughout the program, students built foundational skills essential for success in the field, including jobsite safety, trade-related math, and the proper use and application of industry tools. Instruction emphasized real-world expectations and prepared students for both interviews and future apprenticeship opportunities. As part of the program’s culmination, 12 students participated in formal interviews with Plumbers’ Local 130 U.A. Five students received letters of intent to hire from various companies, an outstanding outcome for a first-year partnership and a strong indicator of the program’s impact. The success of the Plumbers Bridge Program highlights what is possible when education and industry work together and they look forward to continuing and growing this partnership in the years ahead.
This year marked an exciting milestone for Lake County Tech Campus as they partnered for the first time with Plumbers’ Local 130 U.A. to participate in their Plumbers Bridge Program. This is a hands-on program that is designed to connect students directly to the skilled trades. Our first-year participating was a tremendous success and demonstrated the power of collaboration between industry and education.
Beginning in October, 16 Lake County Tech Campus students committed to the program, and all 16 successfully completed it and includes JHS senior, Gaven Hauck. This completion is a testament to their dedication, perseverance, and interest in pursuing careers in the plumbing trade. For three months, students dedicated spending two nights a week at the Volo Training Center to participate in the program. While all participants attend Tech Campus, they represent 10 different sending high schools and come from six different career and technical education programs, highlighting the program’s broad reach and appeal across the county.
Throughout the program, students built foundational skills essential for success in the field, including jobsite safety, trade-related math, and the proper use and application of industry tools. Instruction emphasized real-world expectations and prepared students for both interviews and future apprenticeship opportunities. As part of the program’s culmination, 12 students participated in formal interviews with Plumbers’ Local 130 U.A. Five students received letters of intent to hire from various companies, an outstanding outcome for a first-year partnership and a strong indicator of the program’s impact. The success of the Plumbers Bridge Program highlights what is possible when education and industry work together and they look forward to continuing and growing this partnership in the years ahead.
MCC will once again be offering two sections of the EKG Technician Training exclusively for McHenry County high school students this summer at MCC's main campus! This is a fully grant-funded opportunity with limited availability—only 24 total spots (12 seats per class). If you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, this is an incredible chance to earn a healthcare certification before graduating high school. Grade Verification Form is in the CCRC.
Rotary International District 6440 offers Career and Technical Education (CTE)/Vocational Scholarships to qualified applicants. This is a $1500 scholarship that can be applied to tuition and books. Students who are attending a 4-year program/university DO NOT qualify for this scholarship. Complete application packets are available in the CCRC.
Deadline is February 28, 2026.
Deadline is February 28, 2026.
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association launched the first-ever Illinois Retail Scholarship Challenge which encourages high school seniors to develop creative, practical solutions to real business challenges facing the retail sector and compete in teams for scholarships up to $60,000! Deadline is March 30, 2026.
D12 Parents and Guardians, please take a moment to complete the 2026 Illinois Supplemental Parent Survey.
http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
#D12Proud
http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
#D12Proud
The Hillstriders Running Club offers 2 scholarships: The Graphic Design/Art Scholarship - and the Distance Running Scholarship
Follow links for the details and applications. Both have a deadline of 4/3/26.
https://www.hillstriders.com/art-scholarship.html
https://www.hillstriders.com/distance-scholarship.html
Follow links for the details and applications. Both have a deadline of 4/3/26.
https://www.hillstriders.com/art-scholarship.html
https://www.hillstriders.com/distance-scholarship.html
The Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum in Poplar Grove, IL is accepting applications for their annual aviation education scholarship awards. They try to award 3 or 4 scholarships per year with amounts ranging from $1500 to $2000. Complete details & application in the CCRC. Deadline is March 31, 2026
The Golden Apple Teaching Scholarship program recruits talented high school students who want to become teachers. Scholars agree to teach for 5 years in an Illinois school of need. Go to link for all the details and application. Deadline is March 1
https://www.goldenapple.org/become-a-teacher
https://www.goldenapple.org/become-a-teacher
FranCenter offers the Robert Cleveland and Kenneth Dodge Memorial scholarships (2 – $750). Requirements include: Must be a resident of Illinois, must show evidence of a diagnosed learning disability, awarded in part on the basis of financial need, need reference from a non-related person. For all the requirements and application, go to link. Deadline is April 6, 2026.
https://www.francenter.com/copy-of-cleveland-dodge-scholarship
https://www.francenter.com/copy-of-cleveland-dodge-scholarship
The Corporate Relocation Council of Chicago offers a $2,500 scholarship for a student that was relocated into the Chicago area by more than 50 miles between grades 9 and 12. For all details, requirements and application go to link. Deadline is March 1.
https://crcchicago.org/Scholarship/
https://crcchicago.org/Scholarship/
The Dean Ritter Trust Scholarship for Deaf and Hard of Hearing is for a student who has significant hearing loss in one or both ears, be a resident of Illinois, & financial need is also considered. For all requirements and application go to:
https://www.deanritter.org/2026-scholarship/
Deadline is April 15.
https://www.deanritter.org/2026-scholarship/
Deadline is April 15.
The Chemical Industry Council of Illinois offers a scholarship ($2,000) for future chemists, chemical engineers, environmental engineers, material scientists, environmental scientists, agricultural scientists and high school Chemistry teachers. Follow the link for complete details, requirements and application. https://www.cicil.net/high-school-scholarship-application
Deadline is March 6.
Deadline is March 6.
English: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QL58KPFFN3hRnJFrBB2BVJGwNc2f78KW/view?usp=sharing
Espanola: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hZXJ-3NNTBBVdkNcE4r-1CVDaZt50qsZ/view?usp=drive_link
#D12Proud
Espanola: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hZXJ-3NNTBBVdkNcE4r-1CVDaZt50qsZ/view?usp=drive_link
#D12Proud
The elevator industry is one of the highest paying trades and has a spectacular benefit package. A recruitment for apprentices will start on February 2. Follow links below for more information and to apply.
www.neieprecruitment.org (to apply)
www.neiep.org (IUEC's apprenticeship program)
www.elevatorinfo.org (Learn more about the industry)
www.neieprecruitment.org (to apply)
www.neiep.org (IUEC's apprenticeship program)
www.elevatorinfo.org (Learn more about the industry)
Congratulations!!! #D12Proud
On today's Fri fun, Mrs. Mass' class sang the lyrics to Rihanna's "Umbrella". Congrats!
McHenry-Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District has 2 different scholarships available for students will be pursuing careers in natural resources: Kenneth Fiske Memorial and the Water Stewardship scholarship. For more information and applications, go to:
https://mchenryswcd.org/mc/education
Deadline is February 15, 2026.
https://mchenryswcd.org/mc/education
Deadline is February 15, 2026.
Skyhawk student athletes visited Ringwood 2nd grade PE classes today to teach good sportsmanship.
#D12Proud
#D12Proud
Check out this grant opportunity at McHenry County College for a career in Manufacturing!
Please see the attached letter regarding a Discovery Day at Beloit College. It's a great way to learn about the college experience.
