Members of the first CDL class at Lenape Technical School in Ford City , Pennsylvania , ( from left ): Ethan Crissman , Brayden Alwine , Jonah Linhart , Jaxson Crissman , Wyatt Ramer , Jessie Hilko , Noelle O ' Neill , Micah Linhart , Christian Dilick , Hannah Boyer , Keaton McClafferty , Brennon Scott . Photos by Eric Longwell / Lenape Technical School .

Bradigan ’ s Inc ., a fuel dealer in Pennsylvania , teamed with a local technical high school to establish an elective CDL course for members of the senior class . A dozen students completed the course and received their permits . As of this writing , three have gone on to complete the driving requirements and have obtained their CDLs , said Wes Kuchta , administrative director of Lenape Technical School in Ford City , Pennsylvania .

The course is taught by instructor Eric Longwell . The inaugural class of 12 seniors included cosmetology student Hannah Boyer of Worthington , Pennsylvania , whose father drives trucks professionally . Boyer told Connections , the school publication , that she intends to pursue driving as a career , reserving her cosmetology skills as a fallback . “ Much of my family is involved in trucking , and I always took an interest in driving ,” she said . “ The course is more involved than you might think , and it is definitely a fast-track way to get into the profession , or if you are just looking to have a skill to fall back on if something doesn ’ t work out .”

16 JULY 2023 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com