WCCC alumni inductees exemplify success of career-tech education

Whether you are a high school student or an adult seeking a second career, there are opportunities for you to discover a calling that you love. Warren County Career Center provides these opportunities every day to its students, and as the school celebrates its 40th anniversary, the stories from this year's Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame inductees can inspire and encourage you to pursue and achieve your own ideal career.

The alumni honored this year are excellent examples of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by WCCC students. Three of them found second or advanced careers through adult education programs, and one went on from his high school program to build a successful, thriving business. Their stories also show how vital career-tech education was to their success.

Originally from Goshen, Christine Benitez completed the WCCC Adult Education Medical, Executive, Legal Secretary program in 2003. She relied on career technical education in high school, and as an adult when she needed more skills in the job market. Her experience as an adult student led to her current position at WCCC as the administrative assistant to the director of Adult Education.

“It just shows that you are never too old to go back to school,” Benitez said. “I finished and got a full-time job right away. I always enjoy the opportunity to speak with the students who are hesitant about enrolling. I encourage them and share my own career path that brought me to working here full-time.”

Donnie Powell, from Little Miami, graduated from the High School Landscape Technology program in 2000. He tells everyone how his experience at WCCC changed his life and sparked his entrepreneurial spirit. After graduation, he worked for two years in a landscape company before starting his own business, Finer Lawn & Landscaping, in 2003.

“We learned so much in the landscape program,” he said. “There was a plant list we had to memorize – I still carry and use it, 16 years later. We learned about small engine repair, the germination process in a greenhouse, and how to water, fertilize, trim and prune. I still do that every week. I don’t think I would have started my own business if I hadn’t been at WCCC.”

A native of Springboro, Doug Rolph finished the High School Landscape Technology program in 1999 and the Adult Education Emergency Medical Technician program in 2002. He began working in landscape right after high school and operated his own business for a short time. He decided he wanted to volunteer as a firefighter, then found his passion for public safety service. "About 12 hours into the EMT training, I knew that was what I wanted to do," he said. "Now I have been in the field for 14 years, working with various departments and continuing my education."

Since joining the Mason City Fire Department in 2006, Rolph has advanced through the ranks to become a lieutenant in 2015. He also serves as a tactical paramedic with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response Unit. Rolph still uses his knowledge in landscaping, but now it is for pleasure. “I enjoy working outside, doing my own lawn and helping family and friends. I take pride in my lawn every year,” he said.

Rick Tincher, from Springboro, completed WCCC's Adult Education Tool Room Machine Shop program in 1980. After high school, he began working in production at General Motors. He noticed that skilled labor employees had more stable careers, so he enrolled at WCCC. He earned his Machine Tool Operation certificate in May of 1980 and his Adult Education Basic Design and Drafting program certification in June of 1982. Tincher had a long career at GM and retired in 2007. Currently director of the Springboro Cemetery, he oversaw a construction project at the cemetery last year that involved the WCCC high school construction trades and welding programs.

“You have to pay your dues and work your way up,” he said. “Education in my life has always been important. I go way back to the beginning of the Career Center. If it hadn’t been for the training that I received from the Career Center, I would not have had the life that I had. It all comes back around.”