Community leaders and legislators recognized the work four Carbon Career and Technical Institute students put into plans for the future of the historic Lansford train station.

Three graduate this year, going on to college to study design and mechanical engineering, while a fourth will take a lead role on projects in his drafting and design technology class next year.

Nicole Corino, project lead this year, will study interior design at Marywood University and Tyler Bechtold and Craig Conville will attend Wilkes University in the fall, while Anthony Muniz begin his senior year at CCTI.

The students put their plans on display Monday morning for all of who came out to the station along Dock Street to recognize them.

Former owners, Ken and Jeanie Hill, were among the first to step up and view the plans of the former Lehigh and New England rail station where they operated a machine shop for more than a half century.

The Hills thanked the students for their vision in a building which will always hold a place in their hearts, as it was not only built a business together, but where they became engaged.

The building may now continue as a place where others make memories in their own lives, as a center of commerce and tourism in the borough partnering with other historic sites, such as the No. 9 Coal Mine.

“We have completed as built drawings for the train station’s first floor, as well as conceptual drawing of what it could look like,” Corino told those gathered. “These include market and food stalls, gift shops and museum rooms.

“The whole experience of working on the train station has been beneficial for everyone on the team,” she said, as it gave them experience as well as improved their communications, leadership and team skills.

Corino thanked all involved for allowing her team to work on the projects, and “providing us with this amazing opportunity and experience.”

The Borough of Lansford took over the 1925 station, entering an agreement with the Hills to buy the building.

Council President Bruce Markovich expressed his appreciation for the students’ efforts on the project, and Gwyneth Collevechio, councilwoman and member of the station steering committee, presented the students with certificates of excellence.

Timm Berger of state Rep. Doyle Heffley’s office also presented the students with certificates recognizing their accomplishment and calling the station a great project which invests back into the community.

Brad Hurley of state Sen. David Argall’s office also offered remarks, saying that projects such as this one capitalizing on the area’s history and architecture will help in the borough’s economic resurgence.

“We have these beautiful buildings that can be refurbished and renovated and turned into heritage tourism, like you’ve seen in Jim Thorpe,” he said.

Marlyn Kissner of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, said it has been a pleasure to be a part of the project from the beginning, and thanked the students for the excitement they injected into the project, putting the vision for the project on paper.

“You gave us what this place can look like in the future, and I’ll never forget looking at those first drawings … thinking about the visitors and guests that are going to be able to enjoy this so close to the No. 9 mine,” she said.

Kissner, along with Marianne Rustard of the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation, another partner in the project, also presented the students with gifts.

Brent Borzak, CCTI director, said it was not only a community partnering to preserve its rich coal region history, but also giving students real-world experience.

“Everyone here was vital to making (this project) happen, but it couldn’t happen if it wasn’t for you,” he said to his students. “We’re really proud of you. This is really something that you left a legacy behind here.”

Borzak also thanked the community for including CCTI students in this project and others.

“We want these community projects. We want our students to be part of it. This is the kind of stuff that you can’t replicate in the classroom,” he said. “So, thank you.”