From left, Carson City School District educators Josh Billings, Kirstin Kolstad, Evelyn Grime, Kasey Kemmet, Senior Chief Jerry Skirvin, Charlie Mann and Candi Robles at the Aug. 13 Carson City School Board meeting.
The Nevada Department of Education, Office of Career Readiness, Adult Learning and Education Options and the Carson City School Board of Trustees have recognized more than a dozen Carson High School Career and Technical Education educators with awards of excellence and distinction.
The recognitions came at the Nevada Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Excellence in CTE Awards Gala held July 18 and at the Carson City school board meeting Aug. 13.
The ACTE Excellence Awards recognize those individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to CTE, programs that exemplify the highest standards and organizations that have conducted activities to promote and expand CTE programs. Carson High CTE educators recognized were:
Program of Excellence
• Graphic Design – Patricia Ababio
Programs of Distinction
• Agricultural Welding, Power and Structure Technology – Charlie Mann
• Animal Systems – Lauren Gates
• Plant Systems – Lauren Gates
• Military Science – Senior Chief Jerry Skirvin
• Emergency Medical Technician – Frank Sakelarios
• Sports Medicine – Kelly Gustafson
• Culinary Arts – Kasey Kemmet
• Cybersecurity – Josh Barham
• Web Design and Development – Danylle Miller
• Marketing – Cody Downing
• Architectural and Civil Engineering – Evelyn Grime and Kirstin Kolstad
• Mechanical Engineering – Evelyn Grime and Kirstin Kolstad
The CTE Administrator of the Year recognized for the state of Nevada was also from Carson High – Candi Robles. As the administrator award winner, Candi Robles not only received a trophy, but she also earned a check for $500 and the opportunity to advance to the Region V competition.
On a national level, CTE encompasses 94% of high school students and 13 million postsecondary students in the United States and includes high schools, career centers, community and technical colleges, four-year universities and more. Out of Carson High School’s 2,250 students, more than 1,700 are enrolled in CTE courses.
Additionally, CTE is a major part of the solution to myriad national economic and workforce problems, such as high school dropout rates, a weakened economy, global competitiveness and massive layoffs. At a time when opportunity for employment is so critical, CTE programs in every community are ensuring students are equipped with the skills to successfully enter the workforce. Nevada’s CTE students also experience a higher graduation rate than non-CTE students at 98.25%.