Congratulations to Kaelyn Brillant and Mora Griffin, who were both named CATC Professionals of the Month last month!
CATC February Professional of the Month: Kaelyn Brillant
Kaelyn Brillant, a senior from Richmond High School, is enrolled in the Auto Collision program, where she has embraced the hands-on learning environment and the opportunity to build real-world skills in a skilled trade. Kaelyn values learning by doing and appreciates gaining practical experience that will serve her well beyond high school.
Kaelyn recently earned a gold medal at the local SkillsUSA Auto Refinishing Technology competition and will advance to the state competition later this month in Bangor. Her success reflects both her technical ability and her strong work ethic.
Outside of school, Kaelyn balances multiple responsibilities. She holds jobs at Big Sky Equestrian Center and the Augusta/Gardiner KOA, and she enjoys riding horses in her free time. She is also a multi-sport athlete, playing on the basketball and softball teams at Richmond High School, and was recently named an East/West Conference basketball all-star. In addition, Kaelyn proudly serves as the reigning Maine Strawberry Queen.
Looking ahead, Kaelyn plans to attend a four-year college where she will study business, while also working toward obtaining her real estate license.
Her instructor, Romeo Roy, shared, “Kaelyn comes to class every day with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. She is dependable, motivated, and takes pride in her work. She is a great example of what it means to be a professional in the shop and beyond.”
Kaelyn’s dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm make her a well-deserving February Professional of the Month.
CATC February Professional of the Month: Mora Griffin
Mora Griffin, a junior from Richmond High School, is enrolled in the Medical/Veterinary Terminology program at Capital Area Technical Center. Mora shares that attending CATC provides a welcome and refreshing break in her daily schedule. During her commute, she makes good use of her time by studying or unwinding while listening to her favorite music.
Mora credits her instructor, Mrs. Gilliam, with making learning enjoyable and creating a classroom environment she looks forward to each day. While the class is challenging, Mora estimates she has learned thousands of medical terms this year—a testament to both the rigor of the program and her dedication as a student.
At Richmond High School, Mora is highly involved and well-rounded. She participates in cross country and basketball, is a member of the National Honor Society, and serves as her class president. Her leadership and work ethic are evident not only in her accomplishments but also in how she supports her peers.
When students were asked to help select the Professional of the Month, Mora’s name quickly rose to the top. Classmates shared comments such as, “Mora is very humble and always helps me when I have a question about an assignment,” and “Mora always attends class and is dedicated to her studies. She puts in the effort and earns what she deserves through hard work.”
Her instructor, Mrs. Bethany Gilliam, describes Mora as “a role model who is well respected by her peers. She completes all of her assignments on time and consistently demonstrates kindness, intelligence, and responsibility.”
Mora hopes to pursue a career in nursing, and with her compassion, commitment, and drive, she is well on her way to achieving that goal.