Press Release

WARSAW — Warsaw Area Career Center staff recently announced Nadia Handy and Quentin Aldridge have been selected to work with Zimmer Biomet while attending school at Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne.

Handy, Warsaw Community High School; and Quentin Aldridge, Tippecanoe Valley High School, are graduating with the Class of 2021 and moving into a three-day on-the-job training program with Zimmer Biomet and two days in the Ivy Tech classroom. Under this NEIN Fame Program, they will each be paid to cover the cost of tuition, graduate in two years with an associate’s degree in industrial technology, and be workforce-ready. This is a winning solution for students, colleges and employers.

Handy reflected fondly on her days at Lakeview Middle School when she was a leader at the Maker Club. While at Lakeview, she’d pass the machining classroom on her way to her orchestra class and was later driven by her curiosity to explore that career pathway. As a freshman, she moved into WACC classes that took her back to Lakeview’s building with Mr. Alexander.

From there, she advanced to take dual credit classes held on the Warsaw Ivy Tech campus. She’ll earn her technical certificate in machine tool technology and enter college with credits she earned while at WCHS. Handy is excited to start working at Zimmer Biomet this summer. In the fall, she’ll continue to get hands-on experience three days a week at Zimmer Biomet and drive to classes at Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne for the remaining two days.

“I definitely want to say thanks to Mr. Alexander,” said Handy. “He inspired me and put me on track. Not many people get a chance to do this, so I know how lucky I am. Thanks also to my parents; I don’t know where I’d be without them.”

Aldridge feels grateful for this opportunity too. He grew up in a family that worked in the manufacturing and orthopedic world. He remembers touring different buildings and just liking what he saw; it felt like a great career choice. Aldridge is a TVHS student who attends WACC.

“My mom and step-dad worked at Zimmer and my grandpa just retired from Deputy after a 45-year career,” said Aldridge. “I fell in love with machining. I’d like to thank my whole family and all my teachers for helping to guide me into this opportunity.”