Wyliegh Thomas didn’t expect to receive the highest honor during an awards program for West Central Indiana Career and Technical Education students Wednesday night.
“I literally had no idea,” she said, holding the framed CTE Director’s Award close to her heart after the event in the Western Boone High School auditorium.
Thomas is a North Putnam High School student whose principal allowed her to attend the CTE emergency medical technician program with peers from Western Boone, Crawfordsville, North Montgomery and South Montgomery high schools because she’s set on working as an EMT and then as a paramedic.
Students in the EMT program train with and get clinical time through the Crawfordsville Fire Department, and CFD Lt. Bryan Shaw presented awards to the EMT students Wednesday.
Thomas shows up 15 minutes early on class days and studies outside of classroom assignments on her own, and recruits students for the EMT program from other schools.
“She showcases what it takes to succeed both in the classroom and in the workforce,” Shaw said.
Thomas works side by side with close friend Gracie Graham, a Western Boone student who received the CTE service award for her class. Shaw said Graham is known for stopping at accidents on her own and checking on victims before medics arrive.
Graham, who eventually wants to be a trauma center nurse, said helping a crash victim on the way to school is a great way to start her day. She said she knew she wanted to be a nurse since she was in elementary school.
“When my mom was going to college (to become a nurse) when I was 9 or so, I would read her college textbooks for fun,” Graham said.
Students honored Wednesday “will fill many crucial roles throughout our community in the future,” Western Boone Superintendent Rob Ramey said. “The education and training they’re receiving through our programs serve as building blocks as they move forward.
“For all the adults sitting out there, rest assured the negative things you hear about teenagers are not true. I can say without reservation the students sitting here can handle themselves well. They are prepared for whatever role they choose in the future.”
About 60 students took the National Technical Honor Society Pledge before family, friends, employers and educators Wednesday.
The students are already making an impact with their new skills.
Thomas, 17, said she has been asked to apply at the CFD when she turns 18.
Several are already employed in their chosen fields. Certified Nursing Assistant students, for example, are working in healthcare facilities or have been offered jobs upon graduation.
Welding student Dayton Hastings, a South Montgomery senior, has accepted a full-time position at a fabrication shop in Darlington and is also planning his own welding operation. Automotive services students are also in demand.
Radio and TV students are trustworthy, well known, and well prepared for the next phases of their careers, instructor Matt Foxworthy of Western Boone said.
Program officials also recognized CTE business partners Wednesday, including Hendrickson in Lebanon for providing trailers and materials for students to work with, for letting a top employee leave to be an instructor, and for hiring graduates.
Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton received the Partners in CTE Award for leadership in creation of a broadcasting studio in the Fusion 54 building in downtown Crawfordsville. The building is due to be open soon, Barton said.
The central location will allow for a collaborative learning environment among various city organizations and West Central Indiana CTE students.
“We thank Mayor Barton for his vision and support of our radio and TV program,” Western Boone teacher and presenter Sara Nicodemus said.
