Issue No. One

Then:  An artistic high school junior, who was new in town, Ashlee enrolled late at Ramona High school and was looking for a place to continue her education. TCTC’s Drafting program helped Ashlee

• Turn a love for drawing into a career in the drafting profession.
• Win first place at the Oklahoma SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Championship, leading to national competition.
• Earn a salaried job at a young age.
• Find an employer willing to help pay for her college education.

Now:  At 19 years of age, Ashlee drafts for Tanner Consulting in Bartlesville, Okla., while taking classes at Tulsa Community College. Her goal is to earn a degree from Oklahoma State University in Civil Engineering.

Then: After moving to Hennessey, Okla., from Alaska and experiencing culture shock, Christopher enrolled in Autry Tech’s Graphic Arts program. Through Autry Tech’s graphic arts program, Christopher

• Revitalized his interest in school and graduated from Hennessey High School.
• Learned skills to win several national SkillsUSA competitions.
• Earned a graphic arts degree from Oklahoma State University.

Now: As owner of a photography and design business, Christopher lives on the West coast and conducts business in places such as Budapest and Hong Kong.

Then:  An active member in CareerTech’s Family Career Community Leaders of America student organization, Donovan enjoyed cooking and dreamed of becoming a chef. ICTC’s Culinary Arts program helped Donovan

• Become Culinary Arts Team Leader while serving in the military at Ft. Lee, Virginia.
• Win top awards at the 30th Annual U.S. Army Culinary Arts Competition.
• Prepare for two deployments to Iraq with two field artillery battalions.

Now:  Donovan is the chef for the Office of Secretary of Defense Mess in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
* View video program

Then: United Linen was a growing, family-owned business in need of more efficient training for its numerous employees. Their partnership with Tri County Tech’s economic and community development team helped the company

• Train its employees on-site and at Tri County Tech.
• Grow to serve three states: Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas.
• Develop a Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention course that has lowered the number of accidents.

Now: United Linen employs 120 trained workers and serves 2,500 customers while maintaining a competitive edge.

Then:  Although interested in the health field, Tia was unaware of her choices in health care. Western’s Practical Nursing program helped Tia realize

• The impact nurses have on the lives of their patients.
• Her desire to assist students in learning the correct way to provide competent and compassionate care for patients.
• The impact instructors have on their students.

Now: Tia is one of the first recipients of the Oklahoma CareerTech Foundation Minority Scholarship and is attending Redlands Community College on her way to becoming a CareerTech practical nursing instructor. 

Then: A heating and air conditioning systems worker wanting to open his own business, Alan needed help finding a location and facility. Through Northwest Tech’s business incubator, Alan

• Found a facility to accommodate his new business.
• Opened Custom Air, a new heating and air conditioning business.
• Received state incentives for starting his business.

Now: Alan’s skills and knowledge have proved to be a positively received service to residents, filling a void created by retirement in the HVAC repair industry. Alan now has earned his Oklahoma Mechanical Contractor’s license.

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