INA, Ill. (Aug. 30, 2012) - Local manufacturer Magnum Steel Works Incorporated started a scholarship this semester for a 海角视频 welding student. The first recipient of the $1,000 education award is Kaylan Grove of Mulkeytown.
Magnum Steel Works President and CEO Jim Czerwinski could not have found a more deserving recipient.
Kaylan is the son of Carrie Grove and is a graduate of Zeigler-Royalton High School. His woodworking teacher at Z-R High introduced him to a welding teacher at Christopher High School. Kaylan refers to him as 芒鈧揗r. Fletcher芒鈧� and wasn芒鈧劉t sure of his teacher芒鈧劉s first name. 芒鈧揗r. Fletcher芒鈧� is CHS welding teacher Mike Fletcher, who has been in charge of the program since 2005. Kaylan credits him for everything he has learned to do with a welder so far.
"I needed it to practice." - RLC student Kaylan Grove on trading his '87 Honda Nighthawk for a welder. Click on the image for a larger version.
Fletcher, also from the Zeigler area, worked on cars with Kaylan芒鈧劉s father years ago. Kaylan gets his work ethic from his dad, according to Fletcher.
芒鈧揌e had a passion for it. I could tell that,芒鈧� said Fletcher. 芒鈧揑 saw him at graduation and he told me he finally had some focus on where he wanted to go and what he wanted to do, and that was welding.芒鈧�
Pete Wilce, an instructor in RLC芒鈧劉s welding technology program, said Grove has a gift.
芒鈧揌e is advancing so fast in our program,芒鈧� said Wilce. 芒鈧揌e really has talent. Kaylan芒鈧劉s already doing things we are teaching the students in the class ahead of him.芒鈧�
芒鈧揑 just took to it,芒鈧� said Grove. 芒鈧揗y grandpa was a welder, so I was kind of intrigued to find out what it was like. After high school, I just wanted to pursue a career in it. I believe it will be a good career choice for me. I am so thankful for the scholarship. It is going to help a lot.芒鈧�
He doesn芒鈧劉t have much money. Kaylan and his fianc脙漏 are raising their newborn baby, 3-week-old Isabel. He works part-time on flooring jobs with his soon-to-be father-in-law. Carrie was supporting both of them on a limited income. But what Kaylan lacks in resources, he makes up for in passion for his chosen profession.
His drive to weld even led him to trade his only mode of transportation - a 1987 Honda Nighthawk motorcycle - for a welder from his future father-in-law.
芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s just a little stick welder,芒鈧� Kaylan said. 芒鈧揃ut I needed it to practice. I芒鈧劉ve probably got about a year芒鈧劉s practice on it. I paid about $900 for [the Honda] and ended up trading it for a $600 welder because I wanted to practice.芒鈧� He grins. 芒鈧揑 love to weld. There芒鈧劉s just something about it.芒鈧�
Kaylan芒鈧劉s driving his fianc脙漏芒鈧劉s car or picking up rides with classmates to get to school. He said his goal is to graduate from RLC with an associate degree in welding and get started on his career.
Kaylan Grove of Mulkeytown, a graduate of Zeigler-Royalton High School, is the recipient of Magnum Steel Works Inc.'s new scholarship to 海角视频. Click on the image for a larger version. Czerwinski met with RLC Foundation CEO Shawna Hall to set up the scholarship criteria. The student must have a GPA of 2.0 or better and priority is given to a full-time student majoring in welding technology.
芒鈧揥e are so thankful for individuals and businesses in our communities who see the importance of continued education. They recognize the financial need that so often is paired with going to college and they step forward to meet that need,芒鈧� said Hall. 芒鈧揥ithout the generosity of scholarship supporters like Magnum Steel Works, many students - students like Kaylan Grove - may not realize their dream of going to college and learning skills that can improve quality of life for themselves and their loved ones.芒鈧�
芒鈧揑 think it芒鈧劉s wonderful,芒鈧� Carrie Grove said of her son receiving the scholarship. 芒鈧揑芒鈧劉m so proud of him. He is a great kid who would do anything for anybody. He is bettering himself and I芒鈧劉m very proud.芒鈧�
For more about this story or other scholarship giving at RLC, contact the Foundation at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1324 or send an e-mail to foundation@rlc.edu.
