The Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education, has selected 26 students from across the state to receive its Breaking Traditions Awards. The Breaking Traditions Awards were established to recognize students who have been successful in Career and Technical Education program areas that are nontraditional for their gender.  

“These outstanding students are preparing themselves to enter a career that will benefit them individually and benefit Michigan by increasing diversity in our state’s workforce,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. “By their determination and dedication to pursuing careers in an area nontraditional for their gender, they are role models for peers who may be considering such a career path.”

The students received the awards at a ceremony at the Library of Michigan in Lansing.  Presenting the awards to the students were Patty Cantú, Director, Office of Career and Technical Education; Joanne Mahony, Supervisor, Office of Career and Technical Education and Norma R. Tims, Gender Equity/Title IX Coordinator, Office of Career and Technical Education.  Paula D. Cunningham, President and CEO of Capitol National Bank, inspired students to follow their dreams and overcome obstacles in her address to the awardees.

To qualify for consideration, a student had to meet these criteria:

• Be completing a Career and Technical Education program that is nontraditional for his/her gender
• Be enrolled in a Michigan High School or Career Center program during the 2011-2012 school year
• Be nominated by a teacher, counselor, administrator, or other personnel employed by the student’s school or career center
• Have satisfactory academic standing and acceptable citizenship and disciplinary history
• Have made a contribution to awareness of nontraditional careers through successful participation in one or more of the following activities:
  • Exemplary completion of a program considered nontraditional for the student’s gender
  • Successful competition in a program-related event or contest
  • Participation in a Career and Technical Student Organization
  • Active recruitment of other students into programs nontraditional for their gender
  • Mentoring other students in Career and Technical Education programs nontraditional for their gender
  • Significant contributions to the student’s specific Career and Technical Education program

In addition to being nominated, each applicant was required to provide two letters of support and write a brief narrative explaining his or her choice of career, obstacles they faced, and key accomplishments.  The list of award recipients, in alphabetical order by county for each category, is attached.