Kate Pierson is a Warren senior enrolled in the welding program at the Washington County Career Center. (Photo provided)

The Washington County Career Center announced its May students of the month: Kate Pierson, William “Jake” Stiers V and Austin Richards.

Pierson is a Warren senior enrolled in the welding program and the daughter of Matt and Erin Pierson of Marietta.

At the Career Center, Pierson is a member of the SkillsUSA youth organization. She has been on the Career Center’s principal list, honor roll or merit roll every grading period. At Warren High School, she is active in soccer and served as the captain of the wrestling team. Outside of school, she volunteers for Car Teens. Through her career technical program, she has earned industry-recognized credentials or certifications for American Welding Society and the occupational safety and health administration 10-hour training. Pierson is taking course offerings and learning skills for flux cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and shielded metal arc welding.

Academically, Pierson has taken many college courses through the College Credit Plus program with Washington State College of Ohio. She has earned CCP credits for American History 1865-present, American national government, business management, college algebra, English composition, macroeconomics, marketing, PC applications, speech, statistics and technical writing.

Welding instructor, Tyler Stacy, nominated her for this honor.

Jake Stiers is a Warren senior enrolled in the electricity program at the Washington County Career Center. (Photo provided)

“Kate is a leader in the classroom and lab. She’s always on task and works on projects in her off time at home. She is easy to work with and a sponge for knowledge,” said Stacy. “Between doing college classes, wrestling, and being a fantastic student, Kate is also running the plasma table and has put many projects out in the community such as signs for Root 60 Coffee, St. John’s and Mountwood Park.”

Pierson is self-employed with Custom Signs & Fabrication and plans to expand upon it by obtaining an associate’s degree in business at WSCO.

Stiers is a Warren senior enrolled in the electricity program and the son of John and Susan Stiers of Marietta.

At the Career Center, Stiers is a member of the SkillsUSA youth organization, National Technical Honor Society and serves as class president for his career technical program. He has been on the Career Center’s principal list and honor roll for the past two years. Through SkillsUSA, he competed and qualified for regional competition in TeamWorks. At Warren High School, he was active in soccer and was an assistant coach for the Ohio Valley Soccer League. In addition, he volunteered at the Washington County Special Olympics for two years. As a student ambassador, Stiers is responsible for acting as a liaison between the Career Center and Warren High School. In addition, he is gaining leadership skills by promoting the Career Center during its recruitment process as well as giving tours and guidance at scheduled events and with incoming visitors.

Stiers is taking course offerings and learning skills for commercial and industrial construction electrical systems, construction electrical systems, construction safety and crew leadership, and residential electrical systems. In his technical program, he earned industry-recognized credentials for occupational safety and health administration 10-hour training and Electrical Training IBEW-NECA ALLIANCE Interim.

Austin Richards is a Belpre senior enrolled in the Graphic Design and Video Production program at the Washington County Career Center. (Photo provided)

Electricity instructor, Nick Anderson, nominated Stiers for this honor.

“Jake is always punctual, attentive and leads the class as a role model and foreman. He asks for more work and helps others who are behind,” said Anderson. “Jake is very goal-oriented and conducts himself in a professional manner. He always asks for more work to better himself and isn’t afraid to ask questions on how he could have done better.”

Stiers is working at Glenwood Retirement Home as a server. Upon graduating, he has been accepted as an apprentice for the IBEW local union.

Richards is a Belpre senior enrolled in the Graphic Design and Video Production program and the son of Dustin and Amanda Richards of Belpre.

At the Career Center, Richards is a member of the Business Professionals of America youth organization. Through BPA, Richards competed and placed in a few categories the past two years. During his junior year, he placed sixth at regionals for podcast production team. Senior year, he placed second at regionals for advanced desktop publishing. He also placed first for computer animation team and went on to state and placed fifth overall. He has been on the Career Center’s honor or merit roll the past two years.

Through his career technical program, Richards has or will earn college credit or industrial certifications for the Adobe Creative Cloud software in 2D animation, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, audio production, digital photography, digital storytelling, fundamentals of content creation, graphic design, live streaming and production, video capture, and video production and editing. He is receiving technical focus and learning skills for creating & editing digital graphics, design techniques, information technology, multimedia and image management techniques, and video and sound.

“Austin is a star student who is very creative,” said Graphic Design and Video Production instructor, Chris Palmer. “He often helps others when needed and is a leader amongst his peers.”

Richards is employed at Greenleaf Landscaping in customer service. He plans to attend Zane State University to obtain his associate’s degree in sports broadcasting.