Mahanoy Area unveils STEM lab, dedicates to Sen. Rhoades

MAHANOY CITY – The late state Senator James J. Rhoades’ legacy is firmly rooted in education, especially in his hometown — a legacy which was memorialized once again Thursday.

His wife, son, and grandchildren unveiled the nameplate for the new Mahanoy Area STEM Lab in his memory.

The STEM Lab at the Mahanoy Area High School repurposed the library space, which had also been dedicated to the state senator about a year after his untimely death.

That dedication effort was spearheaded by then-student Gary Perna, Jr., who, shortly after the nameplate unveiling reminisced on how much had changed in the new lab with Mary Edith Rhoades, the late senator’s wife, since that dedication.

Now CEO of the Greater Hazleton United Way, Perna returned to his alma mater for the new dedication.

“At that time, it was something that was driven from personal experience and something to honor a man who gave his entire life to education and to the Mahanoy Area, not only the school district but the communities he represented as a senator,” Perna said during a ceremony preceding the unveiling.

School Board Member John Honus shared stories of his personal experiences with Rhoades, describing him as “larger than life.”

One of the key lessons Honus said he learned from Rhoades was that you win graciously and you lose graciously. He also described lessons in respect and compassion.

Prior to his time in the state legislature, Rhoades was a teacher as well as a principal in the Mahanoy Area School District. As a senator, he was a longtime chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

Jim Rhoades, Jr., the senator’s son, said he was “blown away” by the community support for the STEM Lab, and said he could feel his dad’s presence at the dedication.

Rhoades, Jr., is an engineer with Alfred Benesch and Co., which donated towards the STEM Lab effort, along with Boeing, Hydro Extrusions, and Fabcon Precast.

“We want you. We want the kids from this area to stick around here,” Rhoades Jr. said of the donation to several dozen students at the dedication. “We’re investing in our future by investing in yours. We want you to stay here.”

“Technology is incredible and wherever you can get a head start, take advantage of it,” Rhoades Jr. added.

He expressed thanks to the community and school district on behalf of his family.

Representing Boeing, Brian Yutko, a Mahanoy Area graduate, emphasized the importance of STEM education.

“STEM has created coal mining and coal breakers, and its created solar panels and electric cars,” Yutko said. “STEM created the printing press and it created the internet.”

“We’re in the middle of so many technological revolutions right now, and what that represents also are great jobs,” Yutko added.

Yutko also emphasized the importance of access to practice and learn skills needed in STEM fields.

Suzanne Mayberry, the STEM and technology teacher at Mahanoy Area High School, said the lab had been in the works for about three years.

She said that freshmen and sophomores have required courses in the lab, and upperclassmen have the opportunity to take electives in the lab.

“Our theory is, how do students know if they actually like engineering or coding or soldering if they’ve been exposed to these types of activities,” Mayberry said. “Students are learning the basics of engineering, design process, 3D printing, laser engraving, blueprinting, bridge design, maglev technology, drones, robotics, programming, circuits, soldering, and much more through hands-on activities.”

“More importantly, the students are learning to think critically and problem solve,” Mayberry added.

Students were on hand after the dedication to demonstrate some of the technology they’ve been able to work with and the skills they have learned.

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Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home.

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