Clyde Hornberger, former executive director of Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Schnecksville, was honored for his work and commitment at the SkillsUSA Leadership by Example Breakfast Oct. 3 at the Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel and Conference Center.

Hornberger served as the executive director from 1996 until March 2012.

Under his direction, LCTI expanded from 29 course offerings to 50.

"Dr. Hornberger brought dynamic leadership to the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute by initiating programs and institutional change and believe me I've felt some of that," Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board Nancy Dischinat said.

In his acceptance speech for the Leadership by Example Award, Hornberger discussed the importance of leadership.

"Leaders set the standards in their field and create a pathway for others to follow," Hornberger said. "Leaders develop and nurture relationships at all levels inside and outside their organization. They are passionate about perfection and possess an exceptional amount of expertise in their field. Leadership must occur at all levels in order for any organization to be successful."

Hornberger has also held teaching and administrative positions in career and technical education in Berks and Schuylkill counties and has also served as the president of the Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Administrators.

The event also featured student speaker Alexandra Abruzzi, a junior in the advertising and design program at LCTI.

Abruzzi also serves as a Pennsylvania state officer for SkillsUSA.

"I love SkillsUSA," Abruzzi said. "I say that because my life would be very different without it. It really has shaped my life. I've set standards for myself and established goals.

"Of course though, when children are young they say they want to be super heroes or the next president and sometimes these goals can seem naive, but I have learned that even the big dreams can come true with the right work ethic and commitment."

Abruzzi also explained the challenging process of becoming a state officer. During her sophomore year, she had to create a campaign, write and give a speech in front of 200 of her peers and had to pass a written test to get her name on the ballot.

"Today I can proudly say that I'm a state officer for SkillsUSA and I am one of the many who can say they have grown through SkillsUSA and this organization has groomed me to become a leader," Abruzzi said.