Career Tech Champion Kenneth Corn

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Image of Kenneth standing on capitol steps Rep. Kenneth Corn is young. In fact, he's now 22 years old. But, his youth belies his myriad of experiences. Experience that many never have in a lifetime.

Corn was 21 when elected in Nov. 1998 to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He joins Sen. Gene Stipe and Gov. George Nigh as the youngest legislators to be elected in state history. All were 21 years old when first elected.

Being productive is something that's part of Corn's nature. The Oklahoma University political science junior, has not flinched from leadership roles, whether this is on local, state or national levels.

Just three years ago, Corn was national president of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), an organization for occupational business students. He also served an unprecedented second year as the organizations' state president.

Corn, a 1996 graduate from Howe High School, attributes much of his success to his career tech education experiences and FBLA.

"I had an interest in business, which, to me, is almost a science. FBLA is an extension of business. And it is a way to make connections for the future," Corn said. "Truly successful people know lots of people from lots of places."

In his first year as Oklahoma FBLA president, Corn was nominated and served as the high school student representative for the National Coordinating Council of Vocational Student Organizations.

The next year, as the national FBLA president, he was invited to serve as one of two students on the 40-member National Advisory Council for School-to-Work Opportunities by the Labor Secretary Robert Reich and current Education Secretary Richard Riley. Corn is currently serving his second year as an advisor to the Oklahoma School-to-Work Student Advisory Committee.

"As a member of the national advisory council, I was involved in part of the development phase for School-to-Work."

Last year, he did a School-to-Work internship with his local state representative, former Rep. Jim Hamilton. Just a short time later, Hamilton announced his retirement. Corn ran for - and won - the seat.

"I became involved with School-to-Work because it was something that I was familiar with through my years in vocational student organizations," Rep. Corn said. "FBLA and other vocational student organizations have been doing transitions from school to work for a long time. Now, that opportunity is available for all students through the state's School-to-Work initiative."

Corn attributes his current political success to FBLA experiences.

"It (FBLA) has given me lifetime connections to the people I have met. People who had never before been involved in politics gave their time and effort to help in my campaign. And some from out-of-state came to Oklahoma to watch me be sworn in," he said.

"Do you realize that by the time I leave the House - due to term limits now - and, if I serve the maximum time, I will be 34 years old?" Rep. Corn mused. "I'll have another 30 to 40 productive years left."

And even 40 years from now, Corn will be benefiting from skills learned through his vocational education experiences.

Corn said the most important skills he gained through vocational education were public speaking, the practical skill of how to make things happen, time management and decision-making.

"Not only how to make decisions, but how to live with them," Rep. Corn clarified.

Those are skills that keep him on track. As a full-time representative, he still manages to take six to nine hours a semester through night school, correspondence, and summer school to meet his personal graduation deadline of May, 2000.

Then, not letting the grass grow under Corn's feet, on to law school . . . .

posted 1/4/2001
Story by:Ann Houston-Wanger
Communications and Marketing
Email: ahous@okcareertech.org

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	Rep. Kenneth Corn is young. In fact, he's now 22 years old. But, his youth belies his myriad of experiences. Experience that many never have in a lifetime. Corn was 21 when elected in Nov. 1998 to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He joins Sen. Gene Stipe and Gov. George Nigh as the youngest legislators to be elected in state history. All were 21 years old when first elected. Being productive is something that's part of Corn's nature. The Oklahoma University political science junior, has not flinched from leadership roles, whether this is on local, state or national levels. Just three years ago, Corn was national president of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), an organization for occupational business students. He also served an unprecedented second year as the organizations' state president. Corn, a 1996 graduate from Howe High School, attributes much of his success to his career tech education experiences and FBLA. "I had an interest in business, which, to me, is almost a science. FBLA is an extension of business. And it is a way to make connections for the future," Corn said. "Truly successful people know lots of people from lots of places." In his first year as Oklahoma FBLA president, Corn was nominated and served as the high school student representative for the National Coordinating Council of Vocational Student Organizations. The next year, as the national FBLA president, he was invited to serve as one of two students on the 40-member National Advisory Council for School-to-Work Opportunities by the Labor Secretary Robert Reich and current Education Secretary Richard Riley. Corn is currently serving his second year as an advisor to the Oklahoma School-to-Work Student Advisory Committee. "As a member of the national advisory council, I was involved in part of the development phase for School-to-Work." Last year, he did a School-to-Work internship with his local state representative, former Rep. Jim Hamilton. Just a short time later, Hamilton announced his retirement. Corn ran for - and won - the seat. "I became involved with School-to-Work because it was something that I was familiar with through my years in vocational student organizations," Rep. Corn said. "FBLA and other vocational student organizations have been doing transitions from school to work for a long time. Now, that opportunity is available for all students through the state's School-to-Work initiative." Corn attributes his current political success to FBLA experiences. "It (FBLA) has given me lifetime connections to the people I have met. People who had never before been involved in politics gave their time and effort to help in my campaign. And some from out-of-state came to Oklahoma to watch me be sworn in," he said. "Do you realize that by the time I leave the House - due to term limits now - and, if I serve the maximum time, I will be 34 years old?" Rep. Corn mused. "I'll have another 30 to 40 productive years left." And even 40 years from now, Corn will be benefiting from skills learned through his vocational education experiences. Corn said the most important skills he gained through vocational education were public speaking, the practical skill of how to make things happen, time management and decision-making. "Not only how to make decisions, but how to live with them," Rep. Corn clarified. Those are skills that keep him on track. As a full-time representative, he still manages to take six to nine hours a semester through night school, correspondence, and summer school to meet his personal graduation deadline of May, 2000. Then, not letting the grass grow under Corn's feet, on to law school . . . .
	posted 1/4/2001	Story by:Ann Houston-Wanger Communications and Marketing Email: ahous@okcareertech.org