Portage Lakes Career Center

06/09/2026

PLCC Proud!

A special shoutout to our Law & Criminal Justice Instructor, Harold Britt, for recognizing Lakemore Police Chief Roy Smith and Officer Ron Gilbert for their dedication to our students.

Both have shared their expertise in the classroom and served on the PLCC Advisory Committee for the past five years, helping students gain valuable real-world insight into careers in law enforcement.

Strong partnerships with local industry and community leaders are what make Career Technical Education so powerful. Thank you to Chief Smith, Officer Gilbert, and the entire Lakemore Police Department for investing in the future of our students!

Read the full story here: Akron.com article

06/05/2026

Congrats Jayden Bryan, who just graduated and completed our Fire Academy program. We are proud of you!

The Seville-Guilford Fire Department is proud to officially welcome Tyler Maxwell, Jayden Bryan, and Jacob Jariga, whose appointment date was June 3, 2026, as the newest members of our department.

What makes this day even more special is that this is the first fire department position for all three young men. They are beginning their fire service careers right here at Seville-Guilford, and we are honored they have chosen to start that journey with us.

The future of any fire department depends on its ability to grow, adapt, and invest in the next generation of firefighters. Tyler, Jayden, and Jacob represent exactly that future. They bring enthusiasm, energy, determination, and a willingness to learn qualities that are essential to building a strong organization and continuing the proud traditions of our department.

Young firefighters bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and an eagerness to train and improve every day. Their commitment to serving others helps ensure that Seville-Guilford Fire will remain a strong and progressive department for years to come. As they develop their skills and gain experience, they will become the next generation of leaders, mentors, and firefighters who will carry our mission forward.

Please join us in congratulating Firefighter/EMT Tyler Maxwell, Firefighter/EMT Jayden Bryan, and Firefighter/EMT Jacob Jariga on their appointments. We look forward to watching them grow in the fire service and are excited to have them as part of the Seville-Guilford Fire family.

Congratulations, gentlemen, and welcome to the team!

One Department. One Family. Stronger Together.

~Chief Geiger~

05/29/2026

Happy Summer Break, everyone! ☀️ We hope you enjoy a well-deserved summer, and we look forward to seeing you in August.

As we close out the school year, we also want to extend a heartfelt farewell to the dynamic duo behind our Medical Technician and Pre-Nursing programs, Mrs. Paczak and Mrs. Morena. Thank you for the countless lives you have impacted, the knowledge you shared, and the care you showed every student along the way.

Wishing you both a happy and fulfilling retirement. Once a PLCC family member, always a PLCC family member - you will always have a home here. 💚

05/29/2026

Another EXTRAORDINARY year in the books! Thank you, Mr. Pernod, for putting together a glimpse of 2025-26 - one second each day!

05/27/2026

Finding Purpose Through Passion: PLCC Adult Education Student Spotlight
May Spotlight: Esthetician Student – Brittany Schroeder

For Brittany Schroeder, choosing to come to PLCC was about more than starting a new career path; it was about finding hope and purpose during one of the hardest times in her life.

Shortly after the loss of her mother, Brittany says she found herself in a very dark place. But she also knew her mom would want what was best for her, and Brittany was determined to make her proud.

Since she was 10 or 11 years old, Brittany knew she wanted to work in skincare and help people feel confident. That passion led her to the Esthetics program at PLCC, where she says she immediately knew she was exactly where she belonged.

Brittany loves the fast-paced environment and credits her instructor for pushing students to be their very best. She appreciates the detailed demonstrations, hands-on learning, and even the fun review games that make learning both engaging and memorable.

Her commitment to her future is inspiring. Brittany works full-time at Nobles Pond beginning at 6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, making the evening schedule at PLCC the perfect fit for her busy life.

While she has learned valuable technical skills, Brittany says one of the most meaningful parts of her journey has been the relationships she has built along the way. The support she has received from classmates and instructors has helped encourage her every step of the way.

After passing her State Board exam, Brittany hopes to return to PLCC to continue her education in the Hair Design program. Looking ahead, she dreams of combining her work at Nobles Pond with her passion for esthetics to continue helping and caring for others.

We are incredibly proud of Brittany’s strength, determination, and heart. Her story is a reminder that even during difficult seasons, new opportunities can lead to healing, growth, and purpose.

05/26/2026

From Decision to Direction: PLCC Adult Education Student Spotlight

May Spotlight: Welding Student – Bryce Talkington

Bryce Talkington did his homework before choosing PLCC. After researching programs and talking with friends in the trade, he decided PLCC was the right fit for his future in Welding.

He shared that many programs felt “quite average,” but quickly realized that was not the case at PLCC. Bryce says he has been amazed by how much he has learned in such a short amount of time through the program’s hands-on approach and supportive instruction.

For Bryce, the moment everything clicked was learning how to TIG weld. What started out as difficult quickly became something he truly enjoyed. He now sees welding as an art form - one that takes patience, skill, and practice to master.

He credits both PLCC and his instructor, Jerry, for helping him succeed. Bryce says Jerry “gets the students on the horse and hands them the reins,” giving students the confidence to jump in and start learning by doing.

That experience has already opened doors. With a recommendation from his instructor, Bryce recently applied to the highly competitive IBEW Electrician program. Out of nearly 450 applicants each year, only about 30 are accepted. He recently completed his first interview and will learn the results in August.

Bryce says that without PLCC, he would have missed out on countless opportunities.

His advice to anyone considering going back to school at PLCC?
“The only real obstacle is the long days, but it is well worth the sacrifice. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the time goes and how much you learn.”

We are proud of Bryce and excited to see where his hard work, determination, and passion for the skilled trades take him next.

05/26/2026

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible local business partners for investing in our students during the 2025-26 school year!

Because of your mentorship, guidance, and belief in Career Technical Education, 85 PLCC seniors gained valuable real-world experience through internships, school-to-work placements, and pre-apprenticeship opportunities, earning nearly $295,000 while building skills for their future careers.

More than half of those students were offered positions after graduation, and many will continue working with the employers who helped shape their journey.

We are especially grateful to our Cosmetology partners, whose internship opportunities helped 100% of our senior Cosmetology students earn the hours needed to qualify for the State Board exam.

Together, we are equipping and empowering tomorrow’s workforce through hands-on learning and meaningful career experiences. Thank you for helping our students discover their passion and design their future!

05/25/2026

As we wrap up another extraordinary school year and our partner districts celebrate graduation, all of us at PLCC would like to congratulate the Class of 2026! 🎓💚

To our graduates, your future is full of possibilities. The skills you’ve built through Career Technical Education are more than lessons in a classroom; they are tools that can open doors, build careers, and turn dreams into reality.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. The hard work you put in today is building the future you’ve imagined for tomorrow.

We are proud of all you have accomplished and can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next. Congratulations, Class of 2026!

05/25/2026

With less than a week left in the school year, our Fire Academy juniors are still showing up ready to learn! 🚒

Today’s lesson: splinting practice - building the hands-on skills that could one day help save a life.

Extraordinary experiences. Every student. Every day.

05/22/2026

Senior Building Trades student Emily Lewis (MHS) returned to PLCC this week to put the finishing touches on cabinetry she helped build and install in our salon and staff lounge.

What makes this even more special? Emily officially completed her time at PLCC last week, but she wanted to come back and finish the job she started. That kind of dedication, responsibility, and craftsmanship says so much about the character of our students.

Thank you and great work, Emily! 💚