Nearly one dozen Tulsa Public Schools seniors earned awards at our first annual Career Technology Education banquet in April. The banquet, which was held to celebrate the success of Tulsa Public Schools’ Career Technology Education programs and the many students who are benefiting from it, also saw many teachers earn distinction awards for their contributions.

Career Tech is an opportunity for high school students to get a head start on preparing for college and careers by providing courses and pathways with industry standards. Oklahoma’s Career Tech system significantly contributes to the state’s economic development and quality of life, and the district’s program offers many different pathways to prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow.

At the banquet, each program played a role: Family and Consumer Services (FCS) prepared dinner and served as ushers; Business, Marketing, and Information Technology Education (BMITE) designed the program, tickets, invitations, slideshow, and served as ushers; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) contributed drone presentations and served as ushers; Agricultural Science designed the table floral arrangements; Trade and Industrial Education (T&I) designed the ticket booth and program distinction awards; and Health prepared nutritional fact cards and menus. 

Students who were named recipients of Outstanding Senior Awards were: Breanna Wells-Warledo of Phoenix Rising; Nikyrah Beamon of McLain; Samuel Ciriaco of East Central; Alex Talamantes of Booker T. Washington; Riana Usenuku of Webster; Toby McPherson of Rogers; Kristian Matthews of Hale; Emily Thramer of Street School; Ralph Stokes of Central; Jaylen Lopez of Edison; and Brenna Athey of Memorial.

Teachers who earned Distinction Awards were: Michael Brown of Edison, who earned gold; Irvin Mull of Webster, who earned gold; Cindy Haley, Marilynne Tisdale and Laurie McMillan, all of McLain, who all earned Silver; Angela Landrum, Nate Jensen and Tina Moody of Hale, who all earned Silver; Michelle Evans of Carter, who earned Silver; Delra Taylor of Monroe, who earned Silver; and Dwight Long of East Central, who earned Bronze. 

You can see photos of the event below. For more information about Career Technology Education, go to www.tulsaschools.org/careertech.