On Tuesday, February 22, 2017, the City of Philadelphia took part in Career and Technical Education (CTE) month by recognizing 27 students from across all School District of Philadelphia CTE programs. Students were nominated by their principals and teachers for showing excellence in CTE and leadership in their communities.

Students and families were invited to City Hall for a night of celebration. Mayor Kenney kicked off the event with some inspiring words: “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t succeed. You all are doing the right thing, working hard, and making the best lives possible for yourselves. Please know that I believe in you and the City of Philadelphia believes in you.”

After Mayor Kenney finished his speech, Otis Hackney took to the podium to share his personal history of working a trade while pursuing a four-year college degree.

After each student received their award, the celebration students and guests were invited to attend a reception. Students shared some of their favorite projects they’ve worked on as well as what they planned to do once they graduated from their programs.

“Recently, my class worked on designing awareness posters for Worlds AIDS Day,” said Logan Perrin, a Communications and Technology student from the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. “We researched current issues around AIDS and then designed the posters to reflect what we learned. The posters will be printed and displayed at our school’s art show later this year. It was a great project, and when I graduate I want to major in graphic design and marketing.”

“I’m studying Digital Media Production,” said Tyree Franklin, a student at West Philadelphia High School. “Recently, my class finished a video project for Martin Luther King day where we interviewed students and staff asking how the teachings of Dr. King affected them. When I graduate, I want to major in cinematography and work on movie sets in LA.”

It was a great night to show some much-deserved recognition to these amazing students. Congratulations to all of the students who were recognized for Excellence in Career and Technical Education!

                                                        Excellence in CTE Student Honorees
School Name Program of Study
Abraham Lincoln High School Chiara Garcia Horticulture
A. Phillip Randolph Eucal Holness Automotive Mechanics
Benjamin Franklin High School Kevin Ipina-Deleon Welding
Edison Fareira High School Byron Duran Graphic Design
Frankford High School Kyla Tenaglia Culinary Arts
Franklin Learning Center Eriksiano Kapaj Business Administration
George Washington High School Bryon Thach Business Administration
George Washington High School for Engineering & Science Ransford Djeagbo Pre-Engineering
Horace Furness High School Chamroeun Keo Accounting
Jules E. Mastbaum High School Deondre Stone Culinary Arts
Kensington High School Elivett Sanchez Sports Management
Kensington Health Sciences Academy Hakeem Thompson Dental Assisting Program
Kensington High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Jose Garcia Film Production
Martin Luther King Jr. High School Benslimani McFarlane Business Administration
Murrell Dobbins Career & Technical Education High School Jabriel Steward Sports Management
Northeast High School Cristina Tran Applied Visual & Interactive Design
Paul Robeson High School Nytia Mickens Health Related Technologies (Human Services)
Roxborough High School Tamia Santiago Web Design, Academy of Visual Arts & Production
Samuel Fels High School Ricardo Diaz Cinematography & Video Production
Science Leadership Academy Zehsawn Rahman Cinematography
Science Leadership Academy at BEEBER Kitani Seals Engineering
South Philadelphia High School Diamond Plant Health Related Technologies
Strawberry Mansion High School Bahiyah Walker Culinary
Swenson Arts & Technology High School Jason Vantoll Automotive Technology
W.B. Saul High School Amanda Fritsch Natural Resources Management
West Philadelphia High School Tyree Franklin Digital Media Production
The Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts (CAPA) Logan Perrin Communications & Technology
The Workshop School Amir Brooks Automotive Collision

Learn more about CTE and follow @PHL_MOE on twitter with the hashtag #ThinkCTE.