CTE student selected as Breaking Traditions Award winner

Heather Baker, a Culinary Arts student at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center, is one of 22 high school

students from across the state to receive the 2015 Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Breaking Traditions Award for surpassing obstacles and stereotypes to achieve success in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

According to State Superintendent Mike Flanagan, "The Breaking Traditions Awards recognize high school and college students who have demonstrated success in CTE programs that are nontraditional to their gender. At a time when there is a call from various stakeholders for building a more-responsive, market-driven schools-to-jobs pipeline, it is important to recognize the efforts of these students and the programs that helped them."

Baker, also a senior at Gladwin High School, was nominated for the recognition by Culinary Arts Instructor Heidi Rocha. “Heather consistently goes above and beyond in everything that she does. Her ability to enter the workforce is outstanding.”

Baker accepted the award at a ceremony at the Library of Michigan in Lansing this month.

"These outstanding students are preparing themselves to enter a career that will benefit them individually and benefit Michigan by increasing diversity in our state's workforce." Flanagan said. "By their determination and dedication to pursuing careers in an area nontraditional for their gender, they are role models for peers who may be considering such a career path."

Baker plans to attend Northwood University to earn a degree in business while continuing her apprenticeship with Chef Fred Garcia of the Lost Arrow Resort. Once she obtains a business degree, Baker would like to further her skills at a culinary arts college, such as the Culinary Institute of America, and eventually own a restaurant.

Culinary Arts is a career and technical education (CTE) program offered to high school juniors and seniors at the Clare-Gladwin Career Center. The students spend half of their day at their CTE program and the other half at their local high school.