Oklahoma's CTEEC Helping Families in Poverty

By Ann Houston
Oklahoma Department of CareerTech

At the recent "Making It Work Day at the Capitol," 18 students and community partners were recognized for helping break down barriers to families in need, according to the Oklahoma Career and Technical Education Equity Council.

The awards ceremony, held in the State Capitol Blue Room, recognized outstanding Oklahoma students and community partners for their dedication, service and commitment to help remove barriers to families in poverty, according to OKCTEEC Advisor Fern Bowling. Bowling is equity and diversity specialist at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

OKCTEEC is an affiliate of the administrative division of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education. OKCTEEC promotes communication and linkages between career and technical education and leaders of business and industry for the success of displaced homemakers, single parents, single pregnant women, nontraditional students, at-risk females, pregnant teens and teen parents.

"The purposes of OKCTEEC is to increase effectiveness of education, promote research and strategies in education and educational equity, develop leadership, and provide advocacy for equity and diversity," Bowling said.

"We believe that CTEEC serves as a unifying Council for all people who serve these families."

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 800-522-5810, ext. 596. 

See Photo Gallery of Winners Click here

Presenters of the awards shown in the photographs include:

• OKCTEEC Officers, Advisors, Program Staff
• Dr. Phil Berkenbile, State Director, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education
• Mr. Howard Hendrick, Director, Oklahoma Department of Human Services
• Dr. Kermit McMurry, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
• Cheryl Harder, Assistant Director of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education

Awards and Recipients

National Award

Breaking Tradition Student Achievement Award - Johnna Dye, Tulsa Technology Center

President's Award

Outstanding Community Partner - ORO Development Corporation, Western Technology Center
Student Achievement - Karolena Rosson, Moore Norman Technology Center

Central Region

Student Achievement Award - Joyce Lewis, Metro Technology Centers
Outstanding Community Partner - Dr. Tamera Berg, Smiles for Success
Outstanding Business/Industry Partner - Yvonne Nachimson, Grace Living Center
Outstanding Leadership Award - Dr. James Branscum, Superintendent, Metro Technology Centers

Northeast Region

Student Achievement Award - Adrianne Amenddara, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
Outstanding Community Partner - Janie Dale, TANF Worker, Rogers County DHS
Outstanding Business/Industry Partner - Kaylene Keener, Volunteer Coordinator, American Red Cross Tulsa Chapter
Outstanding Leadership Award - Jocelyn Whitney, EMERGE Coordinator, Tulsa Community College

Southeast Region

Student Achievement Award - Sherry Dobbs, Kiamichi Technology Center
Outstanding Community Partner - Ida Thompson, OSU Extension Agency
Outstanding Leadership Award - Faith Hollis, TRAIN Coordinator, Kiamichi Technology Center

Southwest Region

Student Achievement Award - Dianne Jones, Great Plains Technology Center
Outstanding Community Partner - Paula Moore, Kathy Mallow, Gayle Roulain, Caddo County DHS TANF Unit
Outstanding Business/Industry Partner - Bob Milan and Randy Honeycutt, Milan & Honeycutt
Outstanding Leadership Award - Charles E. (Gene) Orsack, Superintendent, Western Technology Center