When GCHS Senior Caroline Hodges took on a Special Topics class project last year from teacher Michael Critchelow, she knew this one would be different than most assignments. When she came face-to-face with the recipient, it took on a whole new meaning.
Jan Kessinger had donated her husband’s Kennedy Machinist toolbox to the Grayson County Technology Center’s 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 Carolyn Thomason last school year, they both knew something special should be done to express appreciation for the gift from one that would now serve so many.
Caroline used the tools to design and create a commemorative plaque. She, along with Critchelow, Tech Center Director Matt Hayes, and family friends Jimmy Soeder and Thomason, joined in 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 course of the project, Critchelow and Hodges found an apprenticeship pin from General Electric where he was 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 had helped with development of the mold for the inside of a refrigerator door, among other projects.
Caroline, a senior, will begin a co-op with Mid-Park in late August, working under a highly skilled machinist trained by Critchelow when he was employed there. 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 says she’s “been on a gradual path since freshman year,” to now preparing to start her co-op very soon.
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 ECTC in Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), 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.