Issue No. Nine

Then: A child whose family moved at least every five months following a transient-worker dad. As a junior in high school, 16-year-old Anastasia decided to stop moving with her family. Rogers High School BPA helped Anastasia

• Learn how to present herself and her ideas.
• Use professionalism in everyday life.
• Hone leadership skills as vice president of Rogers High School BPA chapter.

Now: Anastasia is valedictorian of her senior class, battalion commander of the Junior ROTC and vice president of the Student Council. With plans to major in construction management at a university, Anastasia seeks a career in management with a major construction company.

Then: A young man wanting to go back to school to be successful. Tri County Technology Center’s Computer-Aided Drafting program helped Matt

• Enjoy the challenge of problem solving.
• Learn advanced skills with various engineering and CAD architecture software.
• Work with engineers at Emotek, a mechanical and electrical engineering company, helping design and build motors for soldier-less Army robots.

Now: While continuing his education at Tulsa Community College, Matt designs pressure plates and 3D graphics used in oil fields for Tulsa-based Oseco, a manufacturer of intelligent pressure relief systems.

Then: A young girl with a passion for working on cars, racing and building things. Autry Technology Center’s Welding program helped Blaire

• Develop quality welding skills.
• Realize that gender shouldn’t matter in the workplace.
• Broaden her experiences beyond high school.

Now: Blaire aspires to be a NASCAR crew chief and uses her welding skills to help community programs like Habitat for Humanity.

Then: A single mom who always tinkered on her own car and was bored with sitting at a desk job. Francis Tuttle’s Automotive Service Technology program helped Tiffany

• Feel welcome while learning about tool use and shop organization.
• Learn and pass along skills and new-found independence to her young daughters.
• Expand her knowledge and professional skill base.

Now: Tiffany is continuing her education to become a highly trusted auto service professional with her own all-female auto repair shop and proving to her daughters that gender doesn’t limit career choices.

Then: Working on cars with his dad and uncle at a young age, drag racing at 16 and dreaming of joining a NASCAR team. Western Technology Center’s Auto Service Technology program helped Tyler

• Enhance practical skills in auto service. 
• Gain the competitive edge needed to place in the Ford/AAA Auto Contest.
• Develop leadership skills in the WTC Superintendent’s Leadership Class and National Technical Honor Society.

Now: Tyler is one of three students accepted from Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas into the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C. He looks forward to learning advanced techniques for building and testing a competitive NASCAR engine.

Then:  The 1971 closing of Blackwell General Hospital’s 12-month training school for practical nurses after 20-year tenure in the community. Brand new Pioneer Technology Center opened its Practical Nursing program in 1973 without a campus or supplies. In partnership, the two provided

• Blackwell Hospital’s classrooms, supplies and on-the-job clinical opportunities for students.
• Pioneer Tech’s quality instruction to local students.
• Knowledge and skills taught by a trusted, qualified and readily available staff.

Now:  The 36-year partnership between Pioneer Tech and INTEGRIS Blackwell Regional Hospital provides quality health care and great jobs in rural Oklahoma.

Read more about this partnership here

Subscribe to this RSS feed using your favorite reader

Please forward to friends, coworkers or business associates.

Back to main page | Download PDF of this Issue

Contact webmaster Last update 5/27/2009