When Grayson County High School senior Caroline Hodges took on a Special Topics class project last year from teacher Michael Critchelow to design a plaque of appreciation, she knew it would be different than most assignments.
When she came face-to-face with the recipient of the plaque, it took on a whole new meaning.
Kessinger donation
Jan Kessinger recently donated her husband’s Kennedy Machinist toolbox to the Grayson County Technology Center’s (GCTC) machining program to share his passion for his skill and craft, and also to inspire upcoming machinists in the program.
Critchelow says it’s done just that, as it’s now proudly carried to SkillsUSA competitions by top GCTC competitors.
“It’s a real machinist’s box,” he said, “and the kids really feel like they’re walking in with something special.”
It was a journey of connections between teachers, former teachers, friends, and family to bring the project full circle. When Critchelow shared the story with former Grayson County School Board chair Carolyn Thomason last school year, they both knew something special should be done to express appreciation for the gift that would now serve so many.
Caroline acts
So, Caroline used Joe’s tools to design and create a commemorative plaque recognizing Kessinger’s generous donation. She, along with Critchelow, Tech Center Director Matt Hayes, family friend Jimmy Soeder and Thomason, joined together to present Kessinger with the thank you memento.
Kessinger reminisced that her husband, Joe, had long wanted to donate the tools and box to the Tech Center, and when he passed away, “that was one last thing I could do for him,” she said. “I am thrilled that you all are able to use all those things.”
During the project, Critchelow and Caroline found an apprenticeship pin from General Electric where Joe worked as a tool and die mold/mold maker, and “we put that on his plaque to rededicate it back,” recalled Critchelow.
Kessinger noted that while at GE, her husband helped with the development of a mold for the inside of a refrigerator door, among other projects.
Caroline’s future
Caroline will begin a coop with Mid-Park in late August, working under a highly skilled machinist trained by Critchelow when he was employed the Leitchfield company. She’s excited for the opportunity.
Noting that she’s taken 11 machining classes – all that were available – she didn’t sign up for the first one but was assigned to a 3D Printing class and “loved it.”
As she moved through the program each year, she improved her skills and her passion grew. She earned her industry certification and said she’s “been on a gradual path since freshman year,” to now preparing to soon start her coop.
Calling herself “blessed” to have found something she’s so passionate about as a high school freshman, her goal beyond that is to earn her associate’s degree from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College in Computer Aided Drafting, then possibly an apprenticeship.
Kessinger was excited to see her husband’s tools put to use in such a memorable way and pleased that his machining legacy continues through students like Caroline.
(Headline photo l-r: Caroline Hodges, Jan Kessinger and Michael Critchelow with the Kennedy Machinist tool box donated by Kessinger, courtesy of Grayson Co. Schools)
By Grayson Co. Schools and Ken Howlett, News Director
