The people of Torrington and Wolcott Technical High School are a pretty together community. Just how together they are, and its potential for helping business and local students, is illustrated in the following story.

About thirteen months ago, a new graphics-related business called Instant Imprints opened its doors here in Torrington. The owners, Carl Salter and Nancy Zarin, are Manhattan-savvy marketing and sales people who had vacationed in the area for years. “We own the master franchise for the area,” explained Carl in his native North Carolina accent, which I immediately mistook for a Texas drawl. “We could have opened in several places, but we chose this location because we love it here.”

It wasn’t long before our energetic Chamber of Commerce President, JoAnn Ryan, had contacted Nancy and invited her to put up a business display at the Chambers’ annual Technology Fair, held here at Wolcott Technical School. At the fair, many contacts are made between local businesses, teachers, parents, and especially students. Graphics Department Head, Mark Eucalitto, brought his students to the fair that day, and naturally, made contact with the Instant Images people. One of his seniors, Ben Vellieux, was particularly interested in someday working for the new company.

From that brief contact, Ben and Nancy began a professional relationship which did indeed result in a fulltime position at Instant Imprints upon Ben’s graduation from OWTS last June. “Ben came in from Wolcott Tech and hit the ground running,” was how Carl described their protégé. “Ben does everything from design, to heat pressing, to sign making, silk screening, stickers, and embroidery. He does it all and does it well.” Mr. Eucalitto explained that, “Instant Imprints was so satisfied with Ben’s performance that they contacted me for another student this year.”

Senior Graphics student Kyle Potter is Wolcott Tech’s newest contribution to Instant Imprints, this time as a WBL (Work Based Learning) student. “Kyle is spending a lot of time with Ben,” said Carl. “He is learning, has a good attitude, and is punctual.”

Carl went on to explain that a lot of time and money is spent and the ultimate goal would be for Kyle to be another fulltime employee. “Nancy has three college degrees. She’s a natural mentor for kids,” explained Carl.

The growth of the boys might allow Carl and Nancy to concentrate on developing other franchises for Instant Imprints, which is nationally franchised out of San Diego. “We’re currently in the top ten for them. In December, we were number three in the country,” reported Carl. “We can put a graphic on just about anything.” He then proceeded to take me on a tour of the shop, walking me past Ben Vellieux, who was silk-screening, and showing off the various equipment that produces the impressive designs. To make his point we walked to the back of the store where he showed me the parking lot where they occasionally paint graphics on tractor-trailers!

Back inside, examples of finished shirts, signs, banners, hats, jackets, and photo-transfers were all about the shop. “I had this guy that wanted me to do a transfer on his motorcycle helmet,” said Ben. “I was a little nervous since I’d never done anything like that before, but the guy liked the design and told me, ‘looks good.’ He was happy.”

As WBL coordinator, so was I. However, I was not the only one.

OWTS Principal, Mr. Daniel Kushman, who originally agreed to host the Tech Fair two years ago, wanted to stress the inter-dependency between education, the work force, the community, and the economy. As Mr. Kushman explained, “The partnership we enjoy with the Chamber of Commerce and member businesses is a main reason for the self-sufficiency of our students. The Technology Fair should continue annually to promote the linkage between education and industry.”

Jerry Gryguc
Dean of Students
February 2007