'Skill, perseverance and the attitudes to succeed': Over 100 Huot graduates honored at Colonial

LACONIA — Families celebrated more than 100 graduates of the Huot Career and Technical Center Thursday evening, recognizing the importance of vocational education.

Huot Center Director David Warrender led the ceremony at a packed Colonial Theatre, just about one week before Laconia High School's graduation. This year, Huot students earned 542 college credits, the most Warrender said he’s seen in his time at the technical center. 

The Huot Career and Technical Center is a regional program for students in the Laconia, Gilford, Shaker, Inter-Lakes, Franklin, Newfound and Winnisquam school districts. Their programs are open to students grades 10 through 12, as well as to homeschooled students throughout the region. The campus is adjacent to Laconia High School.

“This evening we will recognize 137 outstanding students who demonstrated high academic and technical skills in Huot programs, including industry certifications and earning college credits,” Warrender said. 

“We describe our event as a celebration of achievement.” 

In addition to a reputation for excellent instruction — law enforcement instructor Bill Clary, a retired captain with the Laconia Police Department, recently earned the honor of New Hampshire CTE Teacher of the Year — Warrender stressed the importance of connections students make with professionals in their communities.  

“I wish to thank the teachers, support staff, parents, families and our wide network of industry partners whose support and encouragement you have given to our students to get them where they are today,” Warrender said. “These connections are a critical part of a student’s Huot experience.”

Paul Robdau, assistant Huot director, recognized students who’d earned technical certifications through their work with the career and technical center, including building and construction, and plumbing and heating students, who earned nationally-recognized credentials demonstrating their understanding of workplace safety.

“Plumbing and heating students also have the opportunity to enter the New Hampshire plumbing apprenticeship program with second-year status directly from high school, saving them time and money,” Robdau said. 

“Students in many of our Huot Technical Center programs earn CPR and first aid certifications as part of their experience at the center,” Robdau said. 

Students also have the opportunity to earn other certifications, like in Microsoft Office through Peter Riendeau’s business courses. 

“It’s a globally-recognized credential that demonstrates one’s ability to use the full-functionality of these software programs,” Robdau said.

Students in the culinary arts program earned a food handlers card certification, those in the automotive program similar earned vehicle maintenance certifications, those in manufacturing and engineering earned robot, laser and other certifications, students in the law enforcement program earned industry certifications and many others from the center’s various programs earned technical certifications, as well. 

And Chris Guilmett and Karen Switzer of the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation presented students with awards to be used in furthering their career or educational goals. Guilmett, the organization’s executive director, offered their congratulations to students in the center’s programs.

“At Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation, we are celebrating over 69 years of awarding scholarships to young people in the Lakes Region,” Guilmett said.

“Since our inception back in 1956 through last year, 2024, as a result of the generosity of close to 654 donors, we have awarded [$10.05 million] to 6,267 recipients.”

“We are so proud of our group of students and look forward to seeing all of them realize their full potential in the years ahead,” Warrender said. “One of the most rewarding parts of my job is to see students walk into our door as a sophomore, in the first tour of the center, and walk across the stage two years later as skilled and confident young adults. The skills and experience our students gain in the short time they have with us is simply amazing, and I can’t be more proud of what you’ve all accomplished. The students before you have skill, perseverance and the attitudes to succeed.”