MCHS senior Madison Tilden named 2024 Director's Award (Outstanding Student for LCCTE)
The LaPorte County Career and Technical Education program at the A. K. Smith Career Center in Michigan City held its 2024 Awards Program on Thursday, May 2, at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center. During the program, seniors of the Technical Honor Society received a tassel to be worn at their high school graduations, and new students were inducted. Several students were also honored with scholarships and awards.
The purpose of the Technical Honor Society is to honor students who have shown dedication, professionalism, and the skills necessary to be selected as the best of the best in their chosen Career and Technical field. These students demonstrate that technical education is a viable, practical, and challenging educational path.
The ceremony was led by LaPorte County CTE Director David Notary and Assistant CTE Director Katherine Broadnax. Davida Barney, Keona Briggs, Brandon Bubalo, Sarah Emery, Connor June, Dion Smith, Savannah Deniston, and Sofia Garcia held technical honors from their junior to senior year. Twenty-two students were inducted into the Society, representing six area high schools. They include Guadalupe Abundis-Vargas, Esther Barnes, Luke Baske, Nathaniel Bosse, Ryan Burian, Samantha Deckard, Alayla Dunning, Brianna Harvey, Gabriel Heichel, Emily Hunt, William Larrew, Donovan Malstaff, Isabella Masterson, Jose Martinez, Jayden Montenegro, Tanner Mosley, Xzae’Vaire Meadows, Makayla Page, Khushi Patel, Mackenzie Ponder, Violet Tanber, and Leslie Villabos.
Fifty-six students received Dual Credits from Ivy Tech, and 28 students were awarded Work Ethic Certificates.
Each CTE program at A. K. Smith also recognized an Outstanding Student of the Programs. They included:
- Automotive: Christopher Lichkay
- Career Skills: Adelia Rightsell
- Construction: Dion Smith
- Cosmetology: Violet Tanber
- Criminal Justice: Guadalupe Abundis-Vargas
- Culinary: Davida Barney
- Education Professions: Rebecca Waldron
- EMT: Gavin Sigle
- Energy Academy: Jai Tucker
- Fire Science & Rescue: Kaiden Porch
- Health Careers 1: Madison Tilden
- Health Careers 2: Sofia Garcia
- Modern Machine Technology: Donavan Malstaff
- Visual & Digital Communications: Chase Moore
- Welding Technology: Ahi-Jah Whiting
Each year, a student representative from each high school served by the LaPorte County Career and Technical Education program is selected as the Outstanding Student of the Schools. This year’s recipients were:
- La Porte High School: Jazmine Carillo (Culinary)
- Michigan City High School: Ahi-Jah Whiting (Welding)
- New Buffalo High School: Lily Wulff (Culinary)
- New Prairie High School: Brille Gaddis (Health 1)
- South Central High School: Elizabeth Tate (Health 2)
- Tri-Township High School: Kenny Vernich (Machining)
- Westville High School: Halley Wood (Health 1)
The LaPorte County CTE’s top honor, the “Director’s Award” (Outstanding Student for LCCTE), was awarded to Madison Tilden, who is a Health Careers 1 student from Michigan City High School.
Other students who received special recognition included:
- American Red Cross Scholarship – Madison Tilden
- American Red Cross Blood Drive Donation Cords - Guadalupe Abundis-Vargas, Esther Barnes, Cerenti Branch, Keonna Briggs, Krystal Cathey, Thomas Ferrell, Sofia Garcia, Arianna Gilroy, Natalie Herbert, To’Ney Jones, Donavan Malstaff, Tessa Monger, Georgia Pumroy, Jai Tucker, Adorriana Whitlow
- State Skills USA Machining Competition - Connor June (3rd place at regionals, 8th place at state), Donavan Malstaff (5th place at regionals, 15th place at state)
- Health Occupations Student of America HOSA top winners - Nitaljia Mendoza (1st place - Life Support Skills), Emily Burskirk (5th Place - Nutrition), Brilie Gaddis and Nevaeh Trobaugh (6th place - Forensic Science), Navaeh Trobaugh (7th place - Behavioral Health), and Katelynn Powalski (8th place - Physical Therapy)
- Center for Creative Solutions Innovation Awards - Jeremiah Allen (Construction), Alayla Dunning (Culinary)
- Brad Cohen Award – Nitaljia Mendoza (South Central High School)
- Tej Ram Gupta Scholarship – Connor June (Westville High School)
- Mentor of the Year - Dae’Shawn Lewis