CHAMPION — The Trumbull Career and Technical Center board of education and school administrators paid respect Thursday to Bradley Ronyak, who had worked as an auto collision instructor at the center and died April 1.

A moment of silence for Ronyak and his family was held at the beginning of the board meeting.

Superintendent Jason Gray said the entire staff at the school on April 1 wore blue shirts as did staff at other local school districts, including Maplewood, where Ronyak was a girls soccer coach.

The staff held a “Blue Day” for Ronyak who was working his first year at the career center as an auto collision instructor. Prior to that, he was an instructor at the Choffin Career Center in Youngstown.

Ronyak died at age 30 from injuries he received after being hit by a vehicle while moving a tree branch from the road near his home in Fowler March 26.

Students and staff at Maplewood High School on April 1 also held a cereal box domino event where a section of the display at the end was the letter “B” shaped from the cereal boxes to honor Ronyak.

Gary said the entire staff at the center sends their support and prayers to Ronyak’s family, and counselors have been available to provide support to students and staff.

In other business at the meeting, Paula Baco, interim director and current supervisor, was recognized for receiving the High Schools That Work / Making Middle Schools Work Leadership Award for 2021 recognizing her strong leadership skills and work at the center in providing direction for schools to improve academic and career-technical instruction.

Baco will be recognized in May regionally for the achievement. She was nominated for the award by Mary Flint, center director.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com