News and Stories

Golf Tournament Honoree Receives award

Ray Davenport, 2011 Golf Tournament Honoree, receives award plaque from association president Norris Williams. Gary Duff, tournament coordinator, is at the left.

Former Council Chairman and VAAA Golf Tournament Honoree Died Earlier This Year

Raymon M. Roberts passed away on March 10, 2011. Raymon was a 72 year member of IBEW Local Union # 666. He joined the IBEW on December 6, 1938. He became the first training director for the Richmond Electricians’ JATC in 1946 and remained training director until his retirement in 1982. He served the industry in other leadership positions. Raymon was the chair-elect for the National Electrical Training Directors Association in 1965 and chairman in 1966, 1967 where he started the NETDA Show and Tell and the NETDA newsletter. He was also the state chairman for the Virginia Apprenticeship Council. Raymon was honored on December 6, 2008, when the JATC office and school building was dedicated in his honor as the Roberts Building. The unionized electrical industry in the Richmond area will forever be indebted to Raymon M. Roberts for his leadership and vision.

A memorial service was held on March 26, 2011, at the Third Presbyterian Church, 600 Forest Avenue, Richmond, VA. Click here for the memorial pamphlet.

The 2011 Virginia Apprenticeship Alumni Association Scholarship award recipients have been selected. Allow us to introduce you to the winners!

Jennifer Grafton

Jennifer resides in Round Hill, VA and is a Board Certified haircolorist. Her cosmetology apprenticeship has given her many opportunities, as an instructor and mentor, and now as a salon owner. She is continuously searching for education classes on new products, new services, new color formulations and application patterns. The VAAA scholarship will allow her to attend a very special seminar in New York City, hosted by her mentor, Beth Minardi of Minardi Beauty Products. Called “Table for Ten,” it is an intimate, intense relevant color class designed especially for career haircolorists.

James Reginald Sanford

James is the first recipient of a VAAA CTE Scholarship, established to recognize an outstanding and deserving Career and Technical Education instructor who truly supports registered apprenticeship. James is a building trades instructor for the Hanover Center for Trades and Technology in Mechanicsville. His principal, Vince D’Agostino, praised his passion for working with students and his willingness to take on projects providing “real world” applications of their skills. His projects included a modular home for Hanover Habitat for Humanity and a customized marquee for an elementary school in the county. James has collaborated with the Richmond Electricians’ Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee to promote career opportunities through apprenticeship.

His story was included in The Richmond Times Dispatch Aug. 8, 2011. Below is a link to the article. http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/virginia-news/2011/aug/08/tdmet02-education-news-for-monday-aug-8-ar-1224176/

Joseph Turner Saunders

Joseph is a 2010 graduate of the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School in the outside machinist trade. In the fall of 2010, he took a personal leave of absence from the company to continue his education full-time. He is enrolled at Old Dominion University pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering technology. Joseph stated, “I am pursuing my further education in order to increase my knowledge and expertise in the area of engineering, and I can see personal growth in my leadership and organization skills.” Apprenticeship is a family tradition for Joseph; his father is also an apprentice graduate from Newport News Shipbuilding.

VAAA Board of Directors has approved the Scholarship Committee to award two $1,000 scholarships in 2011.

To view the new 2011 newsletter Click Here.

I encourage all individual members in good standing to consider applying for these scholarships, including newly completed apprentices who selected the dues waiver option for their first year of membership, and apprentice/student members. (Corporate and associate members are not eligible.)

The scholarship funds may be used to support your educational development and training. The scholarship monies can be used over a two-year period from the date of the award. Funds will be paid directly to the institution or agency where the instruction is taken. The VAAA looks forward to supporting active apprentices as they complete their related academic instruction, and apprentice graduates as they continue their education and training beyond apprenticeship to enhance their working careers.

Please complete the attached “Application for VAAA Scholarship 2011” and mail to the address indicated at the bottom of the form. Be sure to include your narrative of 1,000 words or less, detailing how the scholarship funds will help you achieve your education and training goals. Tell the Scholarship Committee what your goals are and how the scholarship money will help you achieve your goals. Scholarship applications will be received any time after January 1, 2011. The deadline for submitting your application is May 31, 2011, as determined by receipt or postmark date. The VAAA membership period is May 1 through April 30 of each year. You must be a 2011 member to be eligible.

New 2011 Scholarship competition for Career and Technical Education teachers in Virginia.

The VAAA has approved the Scholarship Committee to award a $1,000 scholarship in 2011. This scholarship is available to all Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers in the state of Virginia. Do you have a CTE teacher in your school system who demonstrates outstanding commitment and dedication to his/her students and program? Please nominate this teacher and tell us why he/she is deserving of this scholarship award.

The scholarship funds may be used to purchase materials, tools, equipment, books and supplies for his/her class or program.

Please complete the attached “Application for VAAA CTE Scholarship 2011” and mail to the address indicated at the bottom of the form. Be sure to include your narrative of 1,000 words or less, describing why your nominee is deserving of this scholarship award. Scholarship applications will be received any time after April 1, 2011. The deadline for submitting your application is May 31, 2011, as determined by receipt or postmark date. The VAAA membership period is May 1 through April 30 of each year. Your nominee must be a 2011 member to be eligible.

Pictured with Darold S. Kemp, president of the VAAA and chairman of the Virginia Apprenticeship Council, and Dr. Jim Hughes, manager, Training (Academics) for The Apprentice School and chairman of the VAAA Scholarship Committee is Don Rickerson.