Matthew McDaniel, an Archer HS student with an interest in business and finance (and presidential aspirations), was named GCPS’ 2017 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student of the Year for the county at a banquet March 22. Matthew received a $1,000 scholarship provided by Gwinnett Employer Committee. “In the Business Accounting pathway, I learned valuable skills which will help me as an entrepreneur and lawyer,” says Matthew. “FBLA introduced me to community service, which is where I discovered my life’s passion to help others.” Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is one of several co-curricular organizations in which students participate, learning leadership and teamwork skills and competing at the regional, state, and national or international levels in career-related skills.
This year’s 1st runner up, Duluth HS’ Keyon Whyte plans to pursue a military career. “Like most high schoolers, I was uncertain about what I wanted to do with my life,” he says. “Joining JROTC was the key to finding what most people only hope to find in their life— a purpose, a goal, a driving force that pushes you in the direction you want to go.” Keyon received a $750 scholarship from the Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association.
Chase Matheson, a digital artist attending Phoenix HS, was named 2nd runner up and was the recipient of a $500 scholarship from the Gwinnett Employee Committee. Of his career ambitions, Chase says “I plan on using my skillsets and knowledge learned to create computer software applications related to art in order to achieve a successful and happy career for myself.”
The annual recognition saluted the top Career and Technical Education students from each high school— Archer HS; Berkmar HS; Brookwood HS; Central Gwinnett HS; Collins Hill HS; Dacula HS; Discovery HS. Duluth HS; Grayson HS; Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology; Lanier HS; Meadowcreek HS; Mill Creek HS; Mountain View HS; Norcross HS; North Gwinnett HS; Parkview HS; Peachtree Ridge HS; Phoenix HS; Shiloh HS; and South Gwinnett HS--and specialized CTE programs at Grayson Technical Program and Maxwell HS of Technology.
The selection process requires nominated students to submit a transcript, a letter of recommendation from the nominating teacher, information on participation in a Career and Technical Student Organization, Community service and an essay. The final requirement was an interview conducted by a panel of judges consisting of business and industry leaders which included representation from the Gwinnett Employer Committee from the Georgia Department of Labor.