Kenneth Lawyer (above left), an Abington Senior High School senior and a student of the Protective Services program at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology in Willow Grove, has been named the January 2025 Student of the Month by Eastern.
Lawyer is an Eagle Scout and an active volunteer for the Roslyn Fire Company. According to the school’s announcement, Lawyer plans to pursue a degree in Fire Science at Bucks County Community College with the eventual goal of Fire Investigator.
From their announcement:
Kenneth selected Protective Services at EASTERN because it aligns with his commitment to giving back to the local community. “When I visited Protective Services, it felt like home,” said Kenneth. “I already knew Mr. Raggi from his involvement with the Boy Scouts and with the fire company. I was interested in learning more about my rights as a citizen, and getting training and certifications now that I will need in the field.”
At EASTERN, Kenneth is recognized as a leader within his program. He has actively contributed to a range of school and after-school initiatives including key events such as the Designer Bag Bingo fundraiser, Open House, and the Tenth Grade Career Expo, where he represented his EASTERN program at Abington Senior High School to prospective students. Additionally, he volunteered to help at the recent Craft Fair fundraiser. He has received many industry-standard certifications, such as Incident Command System, National Incident Management System, Incident Safety, Active Shooter Training, CPR/AED, Stop the Bleed Training, First Aid, and Fire Fighter 1.
Before joining EASTERN, Kenneth was a Boy Scout, Eagle Scout, an active volunteer for the Roslyn Fire Company, and a member of St. Luke’s Faith in Action Youth Club. Through Boy Scout Troop 304, based at St. Luke the Evangelist in Glenside, Kenneth has made notable contributions to the troop’s Council. He actively volunteers at their National Youth Leadership Training program tailored for 13- to 17-year-olds. Through the Boy Scouts, Kenneth was selected to participate in the St. George Trek, a challenging 90-mile hike in New Mexico, which he completed last summer. This honor is particularly significant as only two Boy Scouts in the Philadelphia region were selected. For Kenneth’s Eagle Scout project, he dedicated 278 hours to planning, fundraising, and executing his project. His goal was to clean up and install a sign at Highland Gardens in Fort Washington, transforming an acre of land into a space to use as outdoor classrooms for local youth.
“Kenneth is laser-focused on his future and committed to giving back to his community,” said Mr. Michael Raggi, EASTERN’s Protective Services Instructor. “He is always the first to volunteer for school events and to lend a helping hand to his classmates. I am incredibly proud of all his achievements.”
After graduating from EASTERN and Abington Senior High School, Kenneth plans to pursue a degree in Fire Science at Bucks County Community College (BCCC), building on credits he has already earned through the articulation agreement between EASTERN and BCCC. His goal is to become a Fire Investigator, focusing on opportunities in Abington or the surrounding area.
Eastern Alumni Spotlight: Reyna Rodriguez
Reyna Rodriguez (above right), a 2022 graduate of Abington Senior High School and the Culinary Arts program at Eastern, received an Alumni Spotlight this week.
Rodriguez is currently employed as an esthetician at European Wax Center after earning her license in 2023. Her goal is to become either a Dermatologist or a Physician’s Assistant, the school said.
From the Alumni Spotlight:
Reyna Rodriguez’s love for cooking was ignited at a young age, spending countless cherished moments in the kitchen alongside her grandmother. She began her culinary journey by baking brownies, cupcakes, and cornbread, eventually expanding her repertoire to cooking full meals for herself. “Choosing Culinary Arts was an easy decision for me because cooking had always been a passion of mine,” Reyna shared. Her passion only deepened during her time at EASTERN, where she continued the Culinary Arts program into her senior year. “Chef Vozzo gave me incredible confidence and motivation to pursue my goal at the time—becoming a chef.” Reyna credits this pivotal experience with laying the foundation for her future success.
After graduating from EASTERN and Abington Senior High School, Reyna Rodriguez began her career as a server at Yard House in Willow Grove. During this time, she discovered a deep passion for skincare and overall wellness, inspiring her to pursue a new path. In September 2023, Reyna earned her esthetician license and quickly secured a position at European Wax Center, where she has been thriving in her new career. In addition to her work, she has enrolled in a liberal arts program to further her education, with plans to continue her studies in dermatology. Reyna’s ultimate goal is to become either a Dermatologist or a Physician’s Assistant.
“I am not surprised by Reyna’s determination and drive,” said Chef Ben Vozzo. “As a Culinary Arts student at EASTERN, she demonstrated dedication to learning and continuous improvement. She works incredibly hard to achieve her goals. Career and technical education is designed to prepare students for both careers and/or further education, and in Reyna’s case, she has successfully applied the valuable skills she gained in the program to pursue her new aspirations.”
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