The Galesburg Area Vocational Center is finishing what Director Adam Seaney calls one of the strongest year in the center’s history, with record enrollment, a solid showing at the SkillsUSA State Championships, and Senior Signing Day still to come.
Seaney joined Galesburg’s Morning News Thursday morning to recap the year. Listen to the full interview below.
Adam Seaney joined Galesburg’s Morning News on Thursday, April 30. Listen to the full interview below.
Record enrollment
Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year reached the highest level in GAVC’s history. Seaney said several programs are already at capacity for the 2026-27 school year, with waitlists forming, though openings remain in some areas. Students or parents interested in next year’s programs are encouraged to call GAVC directly.
SkillsUSA State Championships
Eight GAVC students competed at the SkillsUSA State Championships in Peoria last week. The center earned a fifth-place and a seventh-place finish. No students advanced to nationals, but Seaney noted the competition has grown significantly more competitive over the past four years as career and technical education has gained momentum statewide.
Among the events was the Teamworks construction competition, in which a four-student team built a one-room dwelling from blueprints they received on-site. The project required masonry, plumbing, electrical work, wall framing, and truss installation — all completed in roughly 10 hours of build time over two days.
“It’s really cool to see these guys and gals work together as a team,” Seaney said. “It shows you not only the technical skills they’ve learned, but those communication and teamwork skills that are so important when you get to the employability stuff with industry.”
CTE Legislative Day
On April 17, Seaney traveled to Springfield with several GAVC students for CTE Legislative Day, where they set up a display of student projects and met with state legislators and representatives. The GAVC group was recognized on the House floor by Representative Dan Swanson.
Seaney said the goal of the trip is to give lawmakers a clear picture of what career and technical education looks like in practice.
“When people are voting on things, whether it’s mandates or funding or whatever, I want a vision of what our students are doing to be in their head,” he said.
Senior Signing Day — May 12
GAVC’s Senior Signing Day is scheduled for May 12 at the Hegg Auditorium at Galesburg Junior-Senior High School. The event, modeled after NCAA athletic signing days, recognizes GAVC seniors who are continuing in a career and technical education field after graduation.
Students signing this year are heading into fields including nursing, carpentry apprenticeships, welding, cosmetology, and education. Business and post-secondary partners will be on hand to greet students as they sign.
Seaney said the event is designed to give the same recognition to vocational decisions that academic and athletic achievements typically receive.
“Some of these kids aren’t the ones recognized at the academic awards or the athletic awards, but the decisions they’re making are just as important,” he said. “We feel it’s our duty to recognize these kids and celebrate them.”
Still time to enroll for next year
Seaney said some GAVC programs still have openings for the 2026-27 school year, though others have waitlists. Students entering their junior or senior year who are interested in career and technical education are encouraged to contact GAVC directly to discuss options.
