Brooklyn Hause speaks during an Early Childhood Workforce Day news conference in Harrisburg on June 23, 2026.

From left, Brooklyn Hause, Carter Stine and Nikki Dinofrio advocated for early childhood education funding on June 23, 2026, in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Two Lehigh Career & Technical Institute alumni traveled to Harrisburg on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) and advocated for early educators and education funding.

Brooklyn Hause and Carter Stine, members of LCTI’s Class of 2026, participated in Early Childhood Workforce Day at the Pennsylvania Capitol. They were joined by their former Early Childhood Education program teacher, Nikki Dinofrio.

Hause, Stine and several peers represented LCTI in April during a visit to Harrisburg for Career & Technical Education Day. That experience inspired them to return to the Keystone State capital this week, Dinofrio said.

Hause, an Emmaus High School graduate, and Stine, a Whitehall High School graduate, met with three state senators on Tuesday morning. And Hause spoke during a news conference that afternoon.

“Brooke was the last speaker for our portion of the press conference … She took the podium and captured their attention like any good teacher would!” Dinofiro said.

“She was able to highlight LCTI and all the opportunities she had during her four years, before stressing the importance of funding for early childhood education.”

Participants in this year’s Early Childhood Workforce Day urged lawmakers to support a $10 million increase for the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention program, a $2 million increase for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program and a $7.5 million increase for Pre-K Counts.

Dinofrio said Tuesday’s event capped off a year of advocacy for Hause and Stine. Along with two trips to Harrisburg, they pushed for more early childhood education funding when state Sen. Jared Coleman spent part of his day at LCTI in March.

Both Hause and Stine are continuing their education at Lehigh Carbon Community College. Additionaly, Hause is slated to begin work at a local child care center.

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