Kiana Garcia of Mountain View received special recognition as the National Career and Technical Education Equity Council’s Breaking Traditions Student on April 2 at Oklahoma CTEEC’s “Making It Work Day at the Capitol.”Sen. Tom Ivester, Rep. Ryan McMullen, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Kermit McMurry, Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director Howard Hendrick, CareerTech Associate State Director Brady McCullough, and CTEEC President Sheila Long assisted with the presentation of awards at a ceremony held in the State Capitol Blue Room.
“Making It Work Day” recognizes outstanding Oklahoma students, professional educators, business, industry and community partners for their dedication, service and commitment to helping families in poverty.
Garcia was nominated for the award because of her exceptional performance as a Caddo Kiowa Technology Center Construction Technology student. She participated in On-the-Job Training under the direction of female contractor, Robin Lunsford. Together, they renovated a home in Fort Cobb destroyed by flooding in August 2007. In addition to her strong work ethic, perfect attendance at CKTC earned Garcia a positive reputation in the academic and employment world. Prior to attending CKTC, Garcia completed a four-year enlistment in the United States Navy.
“Kiana’s boss indicated that she is a very hard worker, knowledgeable in her field and willing to take directions,” said Pam McEachern, coordinator of the OJT program. “I believe she is an excellent example for other young females and very deserving of this award.”
OKCTEEC, an affiliate of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education, helps remove barriers that keep Oklahomans from being successful. The organization promotes communication between CareerTech, community colleges and leaders of business and industry for the success of displaced homemakers, single parents, single pregnant women, non-traditional students, at-risk females, pregnant teens, teen parents and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients.
“The purposes of OKCTEEC are to increase effectiveness of education, promote research and strategies in education and educational equity, develop leadership and provide advocacy for equity and diversity,” according to OKCTEEC Adviser Lou Ann Hargrave. Hargrave is the TANF coordinator at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
“We are honoring students who have overcome tremendous personal barriers to education and employment and are now successfully employed and thriving,” Hargrave said.
These students also learn methods to independently continue their education while they work and further improve the lives of their families.
“State and federal programs cannot remove all the obstacles facing those living in poverty,” according to National CTEEC President Dana Shrum. Shrum is the director of the Allied
Jobs Program at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. “Overwhelming barriers are overcome and lives are changed when businesses, agencies, and those in the community go above and beyond.”
Agency sponsors for “Making It Work Day at the Capitol” are the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education.
For more information about OKCTEEC call Lou Ann Hargrave at 405.743.5128 or visit http://cteec.org/
Photo Caption: Kiana Garcia of Mountain View was recognized at “Making It Work Day at the Capitol” as the National Career and Technical Education Equity Council’s Breaking Traditions Student on April 2. Presenting the award, from the left, are Brady McCullough, associate state director at CareerTech; Sen. Tom Ivestor; Jerry Perkey, carpentry instructor at Caddo Kiowa Technology Center; Garcia; Rep. Ryan McCullen; Sheila Long, CTEEC president.
