Top career, technology education students to be recognized at Education, Business Summit
June 9, 2009
COLUMBIA, sc – June 9, 2009 – For the seventh consecutive year South Carolina’s top career and technology education students will be publically recognized at the annual Education and Business Summit on June 21 in Greenville.
These 2009 high school graduates have been designated as “Technology Champions” selected from a pool of nominations from high schools and career/technology centers located in the 12 areas served by the state’s Regional Education Centers.
They were chosen based on factors such as grade point average, attendance, awards and honors, leadership in school and service to the community. Nominees must be a graduating senior in a career and technology education completer program.
This year’s group includes a valedictorian, numerous academic lettermen and students who were in the top percentage of their graduating class. Many of the Technology Champions are award winning athletes, student government leaders and are active in their churches and communities, according to regional career specialists coordinator Dave Walker.
“Gone are the days when career and technology education students can be stereotyped as vocational students who are academically low-achievers,” Walker said. “Our champions also represent skilled technicians in occupational areas such as welding, carpentry, automotive technology, horticultural, information technology, pre-engineering, robotics and health science.”
Technology Champions for 2009 are:
– Braden Keiger, West Oak High School
– Camisha Stokes, Silver Bluff High School
– David Edward Parker, Hanahan High School
– De’Ashia Elizabeth Lee, Ridgeland High School
– Jasmine Peggy Rogers, Dorman High School
– Jason Zheng, South Florence High School
– Jeremy Cox, Carvers Bay High School
– Jonathan Hicks, Travelers Rest High School
– Kiamesha Halsey, Chester High School
– Mitchell Isaac, Spring Valley High School
– Samuel Adkinson, Strom Thurmond High School
– Sydney McElveen, East Clarendon High School
Technology Champions recognition is made possible through a partnership comprised of the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technology Education, the state’s regional career specialists and the South Carolina Army National Guard.
