Buckeye Career Center Foundation – Alumni of the Year

The Buckeye Career Center Foundation presented awards to two Buckeye Career Center alumni at its 21st annual recognition ceremony. The banquet was held on May 10,2023 at Buckeye Career Center.

View Previous Alumnus of the Year Recipients

Alumnus of the Year

Justin Gartrell is a 1996 Graduate of Conotton Valley and Buckeye Career Center's Masonry Program. Upon graduation, he joined the Bricklayers Union Local 6 out of Canton, Ohio where he finished serving his Apprenticeship. Justin surrounded himself early on in his career with highly skilled craftsmen and later went on to be supervisor for one of the Signatory Contractors. Justin spent 19 years working in the field on many projects throughout Northeast Ohio. In the Spring of 2015, Justin was appointed to the position of Representative for Local 6 where he handled the day-to-day business within the Local. In April of 2023, the Bricklayer's Unions throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia consolidated to what has now become Bricklayers Local 23. Justin continues to represent members in the new Northeast Chapter. His main focus is building and maintaining good working relations between the Members and the Signatory Contractors. He takes pride in helping the membership achieve the best quality of life that the masonry industry has to offer. He serves as a trustee of the Pension and Health & Welfare plans for Local 6 and the Local Building Trades. He is a member of the Barrs Mill Church of God and resides in the Bowerston area with his two boys Sam and Edison.

Alumna of the Year - Previous Scholarship Recipient

Buckeye Career Center alumna Morgan Roden is a new addition to the BCC staff. Roden, left the full-time salon life, to teach the BCC Cosmetology program in the fall of 2022 when both Cosmetology instructor positions became available. Roden is a 2013 BCC Cosmetology grad and previous Buckeye Foundation Scholarship winner. Following high school, Roden went on to obtain her Emergency Medical Services certificate in 2014 from Stark State College before becoming a self-employed stylist for roughly nine years. Together, she and her husband Lamar currently own Elevate, a barber shop in downtown New Phila. Roden jumped at the opportunity to give back to the students at BCC. “I love to encourage others to grow and I wanted to make an impact in the community,” she said. “Getting to watch all of the students become the best version of themselves, is my favorite part. I love cheering them on and celebrating their successes.” The Roden’s have two children and reside in Tuscarawas County.