Seniors at Skilled Trades High School Gear Up for Careers with Lowe’s Shopping Spree

Madelaine Vander Woude
Jan 13, 2025

Seniors at Vinal Tech High School kicked off the new year on a high note with a Lowe's shopping spree. The skilled trade students, now in their final year, hit the aisles at Lowe's in Cromwell, Connecticut, to start building their futures - one tool at a time. Vinal Tech High School teacher David Cruickshank says the gesture is a significant jump-start for the 50 senior students, who all received $200 gift cards as part of a $10,000 donation from the store. 

 

This is an opportunity I've never thought I would ever see. Our students need these tools for their trades. They often are very expensive. This is going to allow them to enter their trades and have the tools when they need them. It's an amazing thing.

David Cruickshank, Vinal Tech Department Head

Kyle Ragaglia, store manager of Lowe's of Cromwell, says equipping the students with these tools hits the nail on the head when it comes to what Lowe's is all about.  
 

Supporting skills trades is important to all of us; 85% of contractors have reported that they have the opportunity to hire skilled trades. This year alone, they forecast over 500,000 job opportunities for skilled trades, and just supporting the next generation is what we stand for.
 

Kyle Ragaglia, store manager of Lowe's of Cromwell

Lowe’s support for the Vinal Tech students, in this case, came in shopping carts stocked with power tools and circular handsaw sets. Kyle hopes the gesture will help lay the foundation for these students' future in the skilled trades.

It's inspiring for us to do the right thing for the community and the next generation. It sits at our core values for Lowe's, and we're proud to support them.

Kyle Ragaglia , store manager of Lowe's of Cromwell