Last week, the White House hosted the Celebrating Innovations in Career and Technical Education (CTE) event honoring students, educators and administrators who excel in CTE. The event followed President Barack Obama’s announcement expanding the U.S. Presidential Scholars program to include awards in CTE. The day included remarks from the First Lady, and a ceremony honoring award winners. One of these award recipients was 2015 Excellence in Action awardee in the Human Services Career Cluster, Henderson County High School in Henderson, Kentucky. Emily West, coordinator of the Early Childhood Education program, represented the school at the White House.
“My experience at the White House was very rewarding and humbling. I was extremely honored to be able to listen to two panels of CTE experts from around the country discuss the importance of CTE as well as hearing the First Lady speak,” said West. “What stood out to me the most was the underlying message that CTE is considered of high importance in our nation and was seen as needed in every high school nationwide!”
In addition to reiterating the importance of CTE, West highlighted the importance of Family and Consumer Sciences and its inclusion in the CTE world. “This recognition not only acknowledged Henderson County High School but also the outstanding Early Childhood Education program and the program’s future,” said West. “I am hoping that this recognition will help increase the number of students interested in the program as well as to give students an increased opportunity for future job placements.”
The Early Childhood Education program provides students with the opportunity to earn certifications, up to nine college credits and requires an impressive 180 hours of work-based learning. A dedication to a rigorous curriculum, strong partnerships and  stellar work-based learning opportunities has resulted in 100 percent of students graduating high school, and 68 percent enrolling in postsecondary education. Read more about Henderson County High School’s Early Childhood Education program here.
Katie Fitzgerald, Communications Associate