In 1928 when Oklahoma’s first CareerTech student organization, FFA, was formed, the state began what has become a legacy of leadership on a national level.

Today the state has seven active student organizations with 1,919 chapters located in more than 500 junior and senior high schools and 29 CareerTech technology centers across the state. The total membership, which includes both secondary and adult students, is now cresting above the 74,000 mark. In addition, both the Oklahoma FFA and Technology Student Association hold the record for the most national presidencies held by any state.

The seven groups and the CareerTech programs they are affiliated with are:

• Agricultural Education, FFA
• Business and Information Technology Education; Business Professional of America (BPA)
• Family and Consumer Sciences Education; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
• Marketing Education; DECA
• Health Careers Education; Health Occupations Student Association (HOSA)
• Technology Education; Technology Student Association (TSA)
• Trade and Industrial Education; SkillsUSA

Besides setting membership records, these seven organizations have produced hundreds of national officers during the past almost 90 years.

This year alone TSA has three national officers including National President Trent Kissee, Commerce High School; National Secretary Krystin Lovejoy, Frederick High School; and National Treasurer Tristin Hudson, Jay High School. 

“Trent is the fourth national Oklahoma president of TSA in the past six years,” according to Phil Berkenbile, state CareerTech director. “He is one of three national presidents from Oklahoma this year.

“National FFA President Travis Jett from Laverne is the seventh national FFA president from Oklahoma – the most of any state. The National SkillsUSA President Charles Young is a postsecondary student in the drafting program at OSU-Okmulgee and former high school Green Country Technology Center student last year when he served as the Oklahoma SkillsUSA president.”

These groups provide opportunities for personal growth and scholastic achievement, as well as the development of skills in public speaking, planning and organizing.

While seven mission statements cover seven diverse areas of interest according to the nature of its program, each statement underscores the importance of leadership development, personal and interpersonal growth and citizenship.

“Locally, members work on community projects, competitive events, and leadership activities,” Berkenbile said. “Oklahoma’s CareerTech alumni –  champions – often credit involvement in these organizations as a reason for success in their adult lives.”

 “Champions are those who are successful in the workplace, in education and in life and attribute much of that success to their CareerTech experience,” Berkenbile said. “And those successes happen every day in Oklahoma’s CareerTech student organizations.”

For more information about Oklahoma CareerTech student organizations visit: http://www.okcareertech.org/main/students.htm

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