The Michigan Department of Education announced today that 65 high school and 10 college students statewide are recipients of the 2021 Breaking Traditions Awards.
These students overcame obstacles and succeeded in career and technical education programs that are considered non-traditional for their gender.
“These 75 students overcame perceived barriers to achieve success in career and technical education programs that are nontraditional to their gender, which makes them role models for their peers who may be considering similar career paths,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice.
There are three levels of awards: Excellence, Merit, and Recognition.
The highest secondary and post-secondary BTA winners received the excellence award, which includes a $500 scholarship from the Michigan Occupational Special Populations Association, an award plaque, a certificate, and a letter of recognition.
Merit winners will receive an award plaque, a certificate, and a letter of recognition.
Recognition winners will receive a certificate and letter of recognition.
Awards criteria included:
- Completion of a CTE program nontraditional to their gender;
- Enrollment in a Michigan high school, career center, or post-secondary program this year;
- Nomination by a teacher, counselor, administrator, or other staffer employed by the student’s school or career center;
- Satisfactory academic standing, acceptable citizenship, and disciplinary history; and
- Contribution to awareness of nontraditional careers through successful participation in one or more of the following activities:
- Exemplary completion of a program considered nontraditional to the student’s gender;
- Successful competition in a program-related event or contest;
- Participation in a CTE student organization;
- Recruitment of other students into programs nontraditional for their gender;
- Mentoring of other students in CTE programs nontraditional for their gender; or
- Significant contributions to the student’s CTE program.
