Future firefighters find purpose at CV Tech
Oziris LaBranch admits he has long been fascinated with superhero movies, especially the characters of Marvel Comics’ Spiderman and DC Comics’ Superman.
While researching potential careers with his high school counselors, he said he was awestruck when he discovered a brand-new, senior-only career training option at Canadian Valley Technology Center.
“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’” he said. “Firefighter ... are you kidding? Sign me up. I want to be somebody’s hero.”
LaBranch, 18, a Mustang High School senior, is now two months away from completing CV Tech’s nine-month specialty program that provides students with the skills to join an area fire department.
Read more on the Canadian Valley Tech website.
Southern Tech names new superintendent
Southern Technology Center has named Mike Martin as the district’s fifth superintendent.
Martin previously served as assistant superintendent at the tech center. He has also been a high school principal in Dickson and superintendent in Roff, Davis, Pauls Valley and Atoka school districts.
He joined Southern Tech in 2024.
Read more on The Ardmoreite website.
CareerTech director appears on High Plains podcast
Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken appeared on the High Plains Technology Center podcast, Bootstraps & Blueprints, along with Rusty Puffinbarger, Woodward superintendent, and Keith Campbell, Balko superintendent.
The three shared their journeys in education and leadership and discussed S.Q. 843, a proposed initiative to eliminate property taxes on homesteads. The ad valorem tax supports local schools, tech centers, roads, bridges, sheriff’s departments, county health departments and more.
They also discussed how to measure student success.
“Success is peace of mind knowing you did the best you are capable of,” Haken said. “My goal is to help students realize what their potential is and help them get there.”
Tulsa woman begins new chapter in aviation maintenance program
Fox 23 tells the story of a Tulsa woman who is beginning a new chapter in her life by studying aviation maintenance at Tulsa Technology Center alongside her son.
Lynn Harris and her son enrolled in the tech center’s 18-month aviation maintenance program and now spend seven hours at school followed by full-time jobs at American Airlines, Harris told the news station.
She went back to school after her husband of 32 years died, deciding that she could stand still or move forward and keep learning new things.
“You know, your brain will start working again if you exercise it,” she told Fox 23. “My mom and my three sisters, we're all in like a group text, and they all are just proud and can't believe I'm going to school at my age.”
Read more on the Fox 23 website.
Francis Tuttle grads redefine OKC fine dining
Three graduates of Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s culinary arts program are changing the fine dining scene in Oklahoma City.
Gabe Lewis, Jessie Gomez and Isabel Granata graduated at different times, but all three are helping dining evolve in Oklahoma City by “blending innovation with a deep respect for local roots,” The Oklahoman writes.
Lewis appeared on two seasons of “Master Chef” and attended culinary school in Denver; Gomez worked in Chicago after graduating from Francis Tuttle. Granata worked with Lewis while she was still in school, which led to the job she has now.
Gomez is executive sous chef at Birdie's by Chef Kevin Lee in Oklahoma City, while Granata is doing the same at The Crown. Lewis runs his own private chef business.
Read more about their successes and studies at Francis Tuttle Tech on The Oklahoman’s website.
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The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win. -- Roger Bannister
