Taylor Shephard signs her apprenticeship letter to join the apprenticeship program of Sheet Metal Wokers Local 12 at a ceremony last week as union representatives Keith Schettler, left, and Charles Greer look on.

Soon-to-be Butler County Vocational-Technical School graduates received much more than a sheepskin at an awards ceremony May 31. The 17 seniors present entered into apprenticeship programs with a paycheck, benefits and the possibility of future journeyman status.

The students officially signed apprenticeship letters with Penn United Technology, Oberg Industries and Sheet Metal Workers Local 12 of Harmar Township at the event at Butler Intermediate High School.

Some of the students placed were Taylor Shephard of Butler and Adams Nicklas of Evans City.

Read more about the day and the students' future plans in Monday's Butler Eagle.