Students hear the positives of an Army career

SSG Kevin Norvaisis, a 2015 QCHS graduate, spoke with students as part of the Career Pathways Speaker Series.
Posted on 03/08/2023
SSG Kevin Norvaisis, left, and Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner, speak with students as part of the Career Pathways Speaker Series.By Gary Weckselblatt

Army SSG Kevin Norvaisis spoke to Quakertown Community High School students Wednesday as part of the Career Pathways Speaker Series. The 2015 QCHS graduate, now a recruiter, shared with students opportunities the Army offers.

“You reserve the job you want to have,” he said. “That was important to me. I wanted to do something combat oriented.” That led to his training in firing artillery. He referred to his service as “my career, my passion.”

The monthly speaker series has included a variety of career options for students with Academic Pathways that incorporate Arts and Humanities, Business, Marketing and Finance, STEM and Computer Science. Students have heard from an attorney, bankers, teachers, administrators, emergency medical technicians, a genetic counselor, and members of the Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner, who graduated from West Point and spent 24 years in the Army before switching careers to education, urged students to “open up your eyes to something like this,” adding “The best decision you can ever make, serving your country.”

Dr. Harner, whose two children are Army officers, described the educational benefits as “incredible.” He has three masters degress and a doctorate that were mostly paid for by his military service.

SSG Norvaisis shared t-shirts, thermoses and Army literature and answered several questions from students. He said after growing up in Quakertown, the Army gave him a chance to travel the world. He trained in Kentucky and Oklahoma and also served in Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Two QCHS seniors already enlisted in different branches attended the talk. Brian Kecva said he is following the footsteps of his grandfather and father in joining the Navy. “The Navy fits my personality,” he said.

Nathaniel Grebb, has joined the Army Reserves. “I wanted to do something for my country. I had no plans and the reserves are very helpful for my future.”

Both described the talk of SSG Norvaisis as “very informative.”

Gary Weckselblatt, QCSD Director of Communications, writes about the people and the programs that impact the Quakertown Community School District. He can be reached at 215-529-2028 or [email protected].
Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.