Warsaw Area Career Center announces Nadia Handy and Quentin Aldridge have been selected to work with Zimmer Biomet while attending school at Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne.
Nadia Handy, Warsaw Community High School, and Quentin Aldridge, Tippecanoe Valley High School, are graduating with the Class of 2021 and moving into a three-day on-the-job training program with Zimmer Biomet and two days in the Ivy Tech classroom. Under this NEIN Fame Program, they will each be paid to cover the cost of tuition, graduate in two years with an associate's degree in Industrial Technology, and be workforce-ready. This is a winning solution for students, colleges, and employers.
Nadia reflected fondly on her days at Lakeview Middle School when she was a leader at
the Maker Club. While at Lakeview, she’d pass the machining classroom on her way to her orchestra class and was later driven by her curiosity to explore that career pathway. As a
freshman, she moved into WACC classes that took her back to Lakeview’s building with
Mr. Alexander. From there, she advanced to take dual credit classes held on the Warsaw
Ivy Tech campus. She’ll earn her technical certificate in machine tool technology and
enter college with credits she earned while at WCHS. Nadia is excited to start working at
Zimmer Biomet this summer. In the fall, she’ll continue to get hands-on experience
three days a week at Zimmer Biomet and drive to classes at Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne for
the remaining two days. Nadia added, “I definitely want to say thanks to Mr. Alexander.
He inspired me and put me on this track. Not many people get a chance to do this, so I
know how lucky I am. Thanks also to my parents; I don’t know where I’d be without
them!”
Quentin Aldridge feels grateful for this opportunity too. He grew up in a family
that worked in the manufacturing and orthopedic world. He remembers touring
different buildings and just liking what he saw; it felt like a great career choice. Quentin
is a Tippecanoe Valley High School student who attends Warsaw Area Career Center.
Quentin explained, “My mom and step-dad work at Zimmer and my grandpa just
retired from Depuy after a 40-year career. I fell in love with machining. I’d like to thank
my whole family and all my teachers for helping to guide me into this opportunity.”
Congratulations Nadia Handy and Quentin Aldridge on this remarkable
accomplishment and best wishes for a bright future.
#wcsmission #ForwardTogether
