Those ‘Making It Work’ Are Recognized

By Lauren Merryman
Oklahoma Department of CareerTech

On April 4, 17 outstanding students, leaders and community partners were recognized for their dedication, service and commitment to help remove barriers to families in poverty at “Making It Work Day.” The event, sponsored by the Oklahoma Career and Technical Education Equity Council, was in the Blue Room at the State Capitol.

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 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 state coordinator for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

“OKCTEEC honored those who had overcome tremendous personal barriers to education and employment,” Hargrave said. “The students are learning methods to independently continue their education and further improve their lives and the lives of their families.”

17 individuals were honored at OKCTEEC’s “Making It Work Day.” Brandy Brannum and Tina Jolin received the Non-Traditional Student Achievement Award. Charlotte McBride, Katrina Howard, Kimberly Spencer and Krystle Miller received the Student Achievement Award. Dr. Terry Britton, Christi Smith and Dr Steve Smith received the Outstanding Leadership Award. Carolyn Burr, Sue Bates, Lisa Springer and Gary Woodward from the Department of Human Services received the Outstanding Community Partner Award. The Department of Rehabilitation, Linda Semmel and the Soroptimist International Club also received the Outstanding Community Partner Award. Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, the Women’s Crisis Center, Walgreen Pharmacies and Tammy Burnett from Jackson County Memorial Hospital received the Outstanding Business and Industry Partner Award.

Agency sponsors for “Making It Work Day” are the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education.

“State and federal programs often cannot remove all the obstacles facing those living in poverty,” Sheila Long said. Long is the president of OKCTEEC and the director of the Power I Program at Carl Albert State College.

“Overwhelming barriers can be overcome when businesses and community entities go above and beyond.”

For more information about OKCTEEC call Lou Ann Hargrave at 405.743.5128 or visit http://cteec.org/

See photo gallery of winners- Click Here