Tell us a little bit about yourself and your plans for college.

My name is Paul Richard Lucas. I am a senior attending Lehigh Career and Technical Institute in Schecksville, PA. I have been attending LCTI since 9th grade (half days) and grades 10-12 have been full day in Cabinetmaking and Millwork and the Academic Center. I completed my OSHA 10-hour certification in 9th grade. I was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society on December 14, 2023. I completed the first round of NOCTI testing which was hands-on testing. The written NOCTI exams will be held on April 2-3, 2024.

My interest in working with wood began by attending the Kids Workshop at my neighborhood Lowe's and Home Depot when I was five years old. I relished the opportunity to handle the tools and feel the texture of wood firsthand throughout the sessions. I kept using my imagination to make wood art out of leftover scraps of wood for displays at the neighborhood fairs. I went to the summer camp at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, where they taught carpentry. I was thrilled with the facilities and all that the program offered. My path toward cabinetmaking and millwork was forged by this encounter.

I plan to attend Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster, PA. My goal is to receive an Associates Degree in Cabinetmaking, Millwork, and Wood Technology. In my second year at Thaddeus Stevens, I will be participating in a home construction project that offers hands-on learning experiences by building a home from the ground up in Lancaster. By gaining experience in constructing a home, I am paying it forward by providing a home to someone in the area, which gives me a sense of accomplishment and helps the new homeowners feel warm and welcomed. The college will provide me with the stepping stones for my future. My ultimate goal after college is to gain more working experience and knowledge, and I plan to open my own woodworking business. My motto is "All that I touch, I Change. All that I Change, Changes Me”.

Paul from Pennsylvania
High School Senior
William Allen High School / Lehigh Career and Technical Institute (full day)