LANSING — A Dowagiac student was recently named a winner of a statewide award.

Ninety-one high school and college students statewide, who overcame obstacles and stereotypes to succeed in career and technical education programs, received 2019 Breaking Traditions Awards, the Michigan Department of Education recently announced. Among those 91 students was Shaelyn Bundy, of the Van Buren Technology Center and the Dowagiac Union High School Agriculture and Natural Resources Program.

“Building talent is a priority in Michigan, so it’s important that we recognize students who overcome perceived barriers and the programs that helped them,” said Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles. “These 91 students achieved success in career and technical education programs that are nontraditional to their gender, and therefore are role models for peers who may be considering such a career path.

“Michigan benefits from Breaking Traditions Awards through an increasingly diverse workforce,” Alles said.

Awards criteria included:

• Complete a CTE program nontraditional to their gender

• Enroll in a Michigan high school or career center program during the 2018-19

• Be nominated by a teacher, counselor, administrator, or other staffer employed by the student’s school or career center

• Have satisfactory academic standing, acceptable citizenship, and disciplinary history

Students can also be awarded if they contribute 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

• Actively recruit other students into programs nontraditional for their gender

• Mentor other students in CTE programs nontraditional for their gender or make significant contributions to the student’s CTE program.

Applicants provided two letters of support and wrote a brief narrative explaining their career obstacles faced and key accomplishments.

MDE’s Office of CTE oversees high school instructional programs that teach students skills in a specific career cluster. Most programs offer early college credit opportunities to provide a seamless transition to postsecondary education – a key strategy to help Michigan become a Top 10 education state in 10 years.

“The Breaking Traditions Awards extend beyond individual students. These awards also represent the quality of the school culture,” said Brian Pyles, Director of CTE at the Michigan Department of Education. “Clearly, these schools embrace an inclusive student focused instructional environment supported by staff, students and community.”