CPS High School Students March Toward Brighter Futures in Paschen Engineering Scholars Hard Hat Graduation Ceremony

On Thursday, May 30^th, the inaugural class of six Paschen Engineering Scholars will celebrate their graduation from the program at the annual Hard Hat Ceremony.  This is the first group of CPS George Westinghouse College Prep students to graduate from the program. In addition to this inaugural class graduation, six freshmen from Westinghouse College Prep will be introduced as the latest class of Paschen Engineering Scholars. A total of 23 scholars will be in attendance across the four classes.

The Paschen Engineering Scholars Program curriculum includes hands-on activities to develop technical skills, building problem-solving abilities and gaining real world work experience to improve the scholars’ knowledge of and access to career opportunities in the STEM and construction fields.

“To have all of these amazing students in one room together is very special. There are so many accomplishments amongst this group worth celebrating,” said F.H. Paschen’s Executive Vice President, Joe Scarpelli. “It will be tough to say goodbye to our first group of students, but we’re so excited to see where they are a year from now, and ten years from now. We expect to hear their names associated with great things in the future, and we can’t wait to get our next group of new Paschen scholars started in the program.”

The six graduates have received over $2 million in scholarships to the schools of their choice. Additionally, the graduates will receive an $800 Amazon gift card for books and technology, $200 worth of college essentials, and a graduation tassel and charm.

The Barkowski Family will award the first John Barkowski Memorial Scholarship to one of the graduates in memory of the former F.H. Paschen Vice President who passed away from colon cancer in 2017. John took great pride in his work and worked closely with the Paschen Engineering Scholars. He was always committed to training and educating the next generation of builders.

“We truly believe in these students and the work that we are doing together with Westinghouse in creating career opportunities in engineering and construction,” said F.H. Paschen President and CEO Jim Blair. “F.H. Paschen takes pride in engaging with the communities we serve and providing opportunities for the next generation of leaders in engineering and construction. We are proud and excited for our graduates and look forward to showing our new class what it means to Build With Paschen.”

The ceremony begins at 5:15pm at the F.H. Paschen Headquarters. The ceremony opens with a presentation of the history of F.H. Paschen, followed by keynote speaker Tye Baasch, a F.H. Paschen Superintendent currently working at O’Hare. Caruso will speak to her 20 years of construction experience and to the importance and meaning of a hard hat. Presentation of the hard hats to the graduating students by members of the F.H. Paschen Executive Team and Westinghouse Principal, Kerry Leuschel, will follow. The evening will conclude with a tour of the building, dinner and presentation of gifts to the graduates.

WHEN: Thursday, May 30^th – ceremony begins at 5:15pm

WHERE: FHP Training Center at F.H. Paschen – 5515 N. East River Rd. Chicago, IL 60631

PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

4:45pm – Paschen Scholars arrive at F.H. Paschen

5:00pm – Paschen Scholar parents arrive

5:15pm – Ceremony begins – the History of Paschen

5:30pm – Keynote Speaker – Tye Baasch, Superintendent at F.H. Paschen – ‘The Importance and Meaning of a Hard Hat’

5:45pm – Presentation of the Hard Hats, graduation of the seniors

6:00pm – Presentation of the John Barkowski Memorial Scholarship by the Barkowski Family

6:15pm – Tour of the F.H. Paschen Headquarters

7:00pm – Dinner and presentation of senior gifts