26 CTE Students are Recipients of 2012 "Breaking Traditions" Awards
May 23, 2012
LANSING - The Michigan Department of Education's Office of Career and Technical Education, has selected 26 students from across the state to receive its Breaking Traditions Awards, Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan 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.
"These outstanding students are preparing themselves to enter a career that will benefit them individually and benefit Michigan by increasing diversity in our state's workforce," Flanagan said. "By their determination and dedication to pursuing careers in an area nontraditional for their gender, they are role models for peers who may be considering such a career path."
The students received the awards at a ceremony at the Library of Michigan in Lansing. Presenting the awards to the students were Patty Cantú, Director, Office of Career and Technical Education; Joanne Mahony, Supervisor, Office of Career and Technical Education and Norma R. Tims, Gender Equity/Title IX Coordinator, Office of Career and Technical Education. Paula D. Cunningham, President and CEO of Capitol National Bank, inspired students to follow their dreams and overcome obstacles in her address to the awardees.
To qualify for consideration, a student had to meet these criteria:
- Be completing a Career and Technical Education program that is nontraditional for his/her gender
- Be enrolled in a Michigan High School or Career Center program during the 2011-2012 school year
- Be nominated by a teacher, counselor, administrator, or other personnel employed by the student's school or career center
- 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
- Active recruitment of other students into programs nontraditional for their gender
- Mentoring other students in Career and Technical Education 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 and write a brief narrative explaining his or her choice of career, obstacles they faced, and key accomplishments. The list of award recipients, in alphabetical order by county for each category, is as follows:
Michigan Breaking Traditions 2012 Excellence Award:
Osceola:
Elizabeth Ward, Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center (Pine River High School) Automotive Technology Program
Nominator: Mr. Randy Stoinski, Instructor, 231-876-2240
Wayne:
Maxwell Gary Madison, William D. Ford Career-Technical Center (John Glenn High School)
Health Diagnostics/Emergency Medical Technician Program
Nominator: Deborah L. Tracz, Advisor, 734-419-2142
Michigan Breaking Traditions 2012 Merit Awards:
Allegan:
Tyler Ax, Allegan County Area Technical and Education Center (Allegan High School)
Early Childhood Education Program
Nominator: Sally Henderson, Instructor, 269-673-3121 ext. 3842
Bay:
Rebecca A. Bellor, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center (Bay City Western High School)
Emerging Technologies Program
Nominator: Patrick Schultz, Instructor, 989-686-4770
Zackery Bishop, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center (Bay City Central High School)
Early Childhood Education Program
Nominator: Kathy M. Dardas, Instructor, 989-667-3285 ext. 3445
Jennifer Czowski, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center, (Pinconning Area High School)
Automotive Technology Program
Nominator: Francis Schlaud, Instructor, 989-686-4770 ext. 3443
Sara Ann Suchodolski, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center (Bay City Central High School)
Engineering Drafting Program
Nominator: Eric Stasser, Instructor, 989-686-4770
Cheboygan:
Cassandra Leigh Frazier, Cheboygan Area High School
Drafting and Design Technology Program
Nominator: Ryan D. McClintic, Instructor, 231-627-7291
Eaton:
Lauren Hart, Calhoun Area Career Center (Bellevue Jr. /Sr. High School
Culinary Arts/Hospitality Program
Nominator: Chef Steven Deal, Instructor, 269-968-2271 ext. 5212
Kent:
Vania Hernandez, Kent Career Technical Center
Information Technology Program
Nominator: Cheryl Hanson, Instructor, 616-364-8421
Lapeer:
Jacklyn Vo, Lapeer Education and Technology Center (Imlay City High School)
Computer Networking Program
Nominator: Kelly Ross, Instructor, 810-664-1124
Lenawee:
Janelle Pasternak, Lenawee ISD Tech Center (Home Schooled)
Collision Repair and Refinishing Program
Nominator: Chris Harvey, Instructor, 517-265-2108
Livingston:
Tyler Adams, Capital Area Career Center (Stockbridge High School)
Precision Machining Technology
Nominator: Gene Butts, Instructor, 517-244-1342
Macomb:
Katelyn Nesler, Career Prep Center (Sterling Heights High School)
Culinary Arts Program
Nominator: Mark Prentis, Instructor, 586-825-2800 ext. 17109
Missaukee:
Allison Brocht, Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center (Marion Public Schools)
Agriscience and Natural Resources Program
Nominator: Mark D. Johnson, Instructor, 231-876-2239
Tuscola:
Tonya Chase, Tuscola Technology Center (Reese High School)
Agriscience Program
Nominator: Craig Searight, Counselor, 989-673-5300 ext. 322
Wayne:
Alana Doe, William D. Ford Career-Technical Center (John Glenn High School)
Automotive Collision Repair Program
Nominator: Scott Heim, Instructor, 734-419-2140
Michigan Breaking Traditions 2012 Recognition Certificates
Allegan:
Breanna Merritts, Allegan County Technical and Education Center (Allegan High School)
Computer Systems Networking Program
Nominator: Christine Gearig, Instructor, 269-673-3121
Bay:
Christina Root, Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center (Bay City Central High School)
Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice Program
Nominator: Brian Ducolon, Instructor, 989-686-4770 ext. 3457
Hillsdale:
Tiffany Long, Lenawee Intermediate School District (Hudson High School)
Building Trades Program
Nominator: Steve Kosino, Instructor, 517-265-2108
Ingham:
Tiffany Eibler, Capital Area Career Center (Stockbridge High School)
Law Enforcement Program
Nominator: Tim Nixon, Instructor, 517-244-1385
Kent:
Felicia Cooper, Kent Career Technical Center (Cedar Springs High School)
Information Technology Program
Nominator: Sandra A. Palmer, Instructor, 616-364-8421, ext. 2654
Osceola:
Stephanie Witherspoon, Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center (Pine River High School)
Computer, Networking, and Electronics Technology Program
Nominator: Shawn Kadwell, Instructor, 231-876-2223
Wayne:
Holley Compton, William D. Ford Career Technical Center (John Glenn High School)
Automotive Technology Program
Nominator: James Schirmer, Instructor, 734-419-2149
Aubry Gross, William D. Ford Career Technical Center (Westland Christian Academy)
Culinary Arts Program
Nominator: Anthony Paquette, Instructor, 734-419-2131
Cheyenne Trujillo, William D. Ford Career Technical Center (Wayne Memorial High School)
Computer Aided Drafting and Design Program
Nominator: Steven Vasiloff, Instructor, 734-419-2100
The Michigan Department of Education is investing in Michigan's future by helping ensure that our children are career- and college-ready and have the skills the jobs of today and jobs of tomorrow demand. Career and Technical Education is education that works for Michigan.
