2 Valley Students Earn ‘Tools for Success’

Apolonia Andresantos of Tujunga and Leslie Bradley of Pacoima, students at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, have won scholarships from the “Tools for Success” program.

The program also selected Ralph Guthrie, a Trade-Tech sign graphics teacher and former Van Nuys resident, as its 1997 teacher of the year.

Sponsored by the Miller Brewing Co., “Tools for Success” provides tools and equipment to top vocational school students in fields ranging from automotive mechanics to fashion design. The donated equipment ranges in value from $1,500 to $4,000, depending on which trade the recipient is studying.

Scholarship recipients are selected by a panel of business representatives, school administrators and faculty members on criteria based on individual need, grade point average and occupational potential.

“After students graduate from vocational school, they have a hard time finding enough money to pay for the tools they need in their professions,” said Victor Franco, Miller Brewing Co.’s community affairs manager. “This program is an opportunity for us to give them a chance to be successful right away.”

“Tools for Success” was started in Los Angeles in 1992 and has expanded to vocational schools in 11 U.S. cities. In the last five years, the program has provided more than $2-million worth of tools and equipment for 600 vocational school graduates.

Guthrie graduated from Trade-Tech’s sign graphics program in 1974. He then spent more than 20 years in the sign-painting business as an instructor and entrepreneur before returning to the college as a full-time teacher in 1992. His prize includes $2,500 for his Trade-Tech program.

Bradley, a culinary arts student, and Andresantos, who is studying sign graphics under Guthrie, are scheduled to graduate next year.