Oklahoma DECA members compete at international conference
Oklahoma DECA took 234 members to the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida, to compete against students from around the world.
Four Oklahomans were competitive event finalists: Morgan Shade, Southmoore High School, business services operations research; Laura Vergara, Francis Tuttle Technology Center – Rockwell, finance operations research; and Yamina Acosta Rodriguez and Ashley Park, Francis Tuttle – Rockwell, innovation plan.
Also, three Oklahoma students received recognition for top role play or exam: Benton Holloway, Ponca City High School, automotive services marketing series, role play; Jonathan Alakara, Edmond Santa Fe High School, marketing communication series, role play; and Cole Nimmo, Norman North High School, human resources management series, role play and exam.
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
Tulsa Tech students to restore fire engine
Tulsa Technology Center students are helping the Tulsa Fire Museum restore a fire engine that had been donated to the New York City Fire Department after Sept. 11, 2001.
The Spirit of Oklahoma fire engine has been returned to Oklahoma and will be housed at the Tulsa Fire Museum.
The museum is partnering with Tulsa Tech to restore it. Students in several programs, including the diesel program and the auto body program, will work on it, Jerry Bogle, Tulsa Tech Broken Arrow campus director, told Fox 23 News.
Watch a video about the project on the Fox 23 News website.
Meridian Tech to host Small Business University
Meridian Technology Center is partnering with the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce to host their third Small Business University business accelerator.
The 12-week program is designed to help business owners build skills, meet other entrepreneurs and obtain expert advice. Since its launch in 2023, SBU has had 36 participants. This year, Meridian Tech and the chamber are also working with the Oklahoma State University Riata Center for Entrepreneurship, said Alex Evers, Meridian director of business and entrepreneurial services.
Read more on the Stillwater News Press website.
CareerTech takes nurse from high school dropout to health care leader
Elizabeth Worley’s journey to a successful nursing career wasn’t a straight path—it was one of resilience, perseverance and a deep passion for helping others. From leaving high school at 16 to becoming a leader in mental health services, Worley credits CareerTech with giving her the foundation to build an extraordinary career in health care.
After dropping out of high school, she found work at Cordell Christian Home (now Cordell Nursing and Rehab), where she discovered a passion for patient care. She earned her certified nurse aide certification and by age 20 had completed her GED. Encouraged by a colleague, she applied to the practical nursing program at Western Technology Center in Burns Flat — a decision that set her on a remarkable path.
“At Western Technology Center, I received the richest clinical experiences with no comparison for my career,” Worley said. “I was so prepared for future clinical settings as I advanced in my nursing.”
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
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State Agency Assistance at a Glance
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The world needs dreamers, and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do. – Sarah Ban Breathnach
