May 9, 2007  The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG), Office of Career and Technical Preparation, has selected 24 students from across the state to receive its Breaking Traditions Awards, Director Keith W. Cooley announced today.

The Breaking Traditions Awards were established to recognize students who have been successful in Career and Technical Education program areas that are nontraditional for their gender. The students received the awards at a ceremony recently at the Williams Auditorium in the G. Mennen Williams Building in Lansing.

"These outstanding students are preparing themselves to enter a workplace and support Michigan's economy in a way that will benefit both the individual and the diversity of our state's workforce," Cooley said. "By their determination and dedication in pursuing nontraditional careers, they are role models for their peers who may be considering a career path that is nontraditional for their gender."

To qualify for consideration, a student had to meet these criteria: 

• Be in a Career and Technical Education program that is nontraditional for his/her gender.
• Be enrolled in a Michigan high school, career center, or community college occupational program during the 2006-2007 school year. 
• Be nominated by a teacher, counselor, administrator, or other personnel employed by the student's school, center, or community college. 
• Have satisfactory academic standing and acceptable citizenship and disciplinary history. 
• Have made a contribution to awareness of nontraditional careers through successful participation in one or more of the following activities: 
  • Exemplary completion of a program considered nontraditional for the student's gender. 
  • Successful competition in a program-related event or contest. 
  • Participation in a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO). 
  • Active recruitment of other students into programs nontraditional for their gender. 
  • Mentoring other students in Career and Technical/Occupational programs nontraditional for their gender. 
  • Significant contributions to the student's specific Career and Technical Education program.

In addition to being nominated, each applicant was required to provide two letters of support, write a brief narrative explaining his or her choice of career, obstacles faced, and key accomplishments and complete an essay about the significance of their nontraditional training program. The list of award recipients, in alphabetical order by county for each category, is as follows:

Michigan Breaking Traditions 2007 Recognition Awards:

Brandon M. Burris, Essexville (Bay County)
Allied Health Sciences, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center, Garber High School (Essexville-Hampton Public Schools) Nominator: Ms. Amy L Dore, R.N. (989) 894-3979
School Administrator: Mr. Michael J. Rivard (989) 686-4770

Luana M Welsh, Bay City (Bay County)
Construction Trades, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center, Community High School
Nominator: Mr. Andrew J. Neumann (989) 686-4770
School Administrator: Mr. Michael J. Rivard (989) 686-4770

Michigan Breaking Traditions 2007 Merit Awards:

Angel Ann Alatalo, Mayville, (Tuscola County)
Welding and Fabrication, Tuscola Technology Center, Mayville High School
Nominator: Mr. Craig Searight (989) 673-5300 ext. 322
School Administrator: Mr. Steve Ley (989) 673-5300

Samantha Bosquez, Davisburg (Oakland County)
Electro-Mechanical Technology, Oakland Technical Center Northwest, Holly High School
Nominator: Mr. Donald Peters (248) 922-5819
School Administrator: Mr. Chuck Locklear (248)922-5819

Jakki Marie Caldwell, North Branch (Lapeer County)
Construction Trades, Lapeer County Education and Technology Center, North Branch High School
Nominator: Mr. Bud Swett (810)664-1124
School Administrator: Mr. Harvey Vermeesch (810) 664-1124

Megan Rose Lemcool, Grawn (Grand Traverse County)
Agriscience and Natural Resources, Traverse Bay Area Career Technology Center, Kingsley High School
Nominator: Ms. Ann E. Blight (231) 992-6284
School Administrator: Dr. Jason Jeffrey (231) 922-6284

Brenda L. Welch, Grawn (Grand Traverse County)
Auto Mechanics, Traverse Bay Area Career Technology Center, Traverse City West Senior High School
Nominator: Mr. Jon Sutton (231) 922-6287
School Administrator: Dr. Jason Jeffrey (231) 922-6284

Alisa Mazur, Dryden (Lapeer County)
Recreational Vehicle Repair, Lapeer County ISD Education and Technology Center, Almont High School
Nominator: Mr. Stan Crawford (810) 664-1124
School Administrator: Mr. Harvey Vermeesch (810) 664-1124

Jonathan D. Smith, Sault Ste. Marie (Chippewa County)
Business Management and Administration, Sault Area Career Center, Sault Area High School
Nominator: Ms. Diane Harrington (906) 635-3839
School Administrator: Mr. Gary Deuman (906) 635-3839

Megan M. Mosburg, Cheboygan (Cheboygan County)
Construction Trades, Cheboygan Area High School
Nominator: Mr. Ron Hart (231) 627-7191
School Administrator: Ms. Jacqueline Herman (231) 627-7191

Chance Willis Edward Hardin, Bay City (Bay County)
Child and Custodial Care Services, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center, Bay City Central High School
Nominator: Ms. Kathy M. Dardas (989) 686-4770
School Administrator: Mr. Michael J. Rivard (989) 686-4770

Kaycie Pawelski, Linwood, (Bay County)
Agriscience, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center, Pinconning High School
Nominator: Ms. Cathy LaLonde (989) 686-4770 School
Administrator: Mr. Michael J. Rivard (989) 686-4770

Michigan Breaking Traditions 2007 Certificate Awards:

Lawrence Namait, Livonia (Wayne County)
Medical Assisting, Livonia Career Technical Center, Livonia Churchill High School
Nominator: Mary Trotter, R. N. (734) 744-2816
School Administrator: Dr. Janet Haas (734) 744-2816

Ashley Marie Smith, Vasser (Tuscola County)
Drafting/CAD, Tuscola Technology Center, Vassar High School
Nominator: Carmel Contardi (989) 673-5300
School Administrator: Stephen Ley (989) 673-5300

Samantha C. Helms, Shelby (Oceana County)
Heavy Equipment Technology, Newaygo County Career Tech Center, Shelby Public Schools
Nominator: J. Link ((231) 301-4061

Maria Elizabeth Gonzalez, Grant (Newaygo County)
Criminal Justice, Newaygo County Career Tech Center, Newaygo High School
Nominator: Joel Abendroth (231) 924-0380
School Administrator: Kirk P. Wyers (231) 924-0380

Emily Anne Meekhof, McBain (Missaukee County)
Building Trades , Wexford-Missaukee Area Career Tech Center, McBain High School
Nominator: Frank Tillman (231) 876-2305
School Administrator: Mr. Michael J. Rivard (989) 686-4770

Rachel Maxwell, Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo County)
Automotive Technology, Van Buren Technology Center, Mattawan Consolidated Schools
Nominator: Jason Forler (269) 674-8001
School Administrator: Scott A. Starkweather (269)674-9001

Lacy Lynn Pyrzynski, Cheboygan (CheboyganCounty)
Drafting and Design Technology, Cheboygan High School
Nominator: Ryan McClintic ( 231) 627-7191
School Administrator: Jacqueline Herman (248) 627-7191

Kelsey Anne Owen, Coloma (Berrien County)
Drafting and Design Technology, Coloma High School
Nominator: Dale W. Quattrin (269) 468-2400
School Administrator: Cathy Haley (269) 468-2400

Justine K. Buda, Bay City (Bay County)
Electrical and Electronics Repair , Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center, Bay City Central High School
Nominator: Dave Mullin (989)686-4770 ext. 3453
School Administrator: Mr. Michael J. Rivard (989) 686-4770

Amanda Marie Hartley, Bay City (Bay County)
Computer Networking and Technology, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center, Bay City Western High School.
Nominator: Kathy McBride (989) 667-3285 ext. 3403
School Administrator: Mr. Michael J. Rivard (989) 686-4770

Alicia Lauran McDaniel, Auburn (Bay County)
Public Safety/Protective Services, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center, Bay City Western High School.
Nominator: Brian Ducolon (989) 667-3285 ext 3457
School Administrator: Mr. Michael J. Rivard (989) 686-4770

Tiffani M. Dively, Standish (Arenac County)
Agricultural Mechanics, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center, Standish-Sterling Central High School.
Nominator: John Huber (989) 686-4770
School Administrator: Mr. Michael J. Rivard (989) 686-4770

The Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create jobs today and jobs tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.