Ohio Hi-Point Career Center students represented career-technical education at the ACTE Student Showcase during the Ohio ACTE Legislative Conference at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
Students engaged with legislators, state representatives, senators, and school leaders from across Ohio, sharing insights into OHP’s career awareness initiatives. They highlighted the impact of OHP’s student-led programs and teacher-facilitated career education kits, which introduce elementary and middle school students to a variety of career pathways through hands-on, age-appropriate activities.
“We are extremely proud of how these students represented themselves and OHP,” said Brad Richardson, OHP Assistant Superintendent. “This was a great opportunity for them to showcase the importance of career-technical education and the role our students play in exposing younger generations to different careers.”
Students participating in the showcase included:
· Grace Martin, Education Academy, Marysville
· Marialaura Machado Araujo, Health Careers Academy, Bellefontaine
· Elias Abrego, Engineering Academy, Bellefontaine
· Kyan Thomas, Structural Construction, Marysville
Additionally, two OHP students had their artwork selected for the Ohio ACTE Student Art Show, which was featured during the Legislative Conference’s evening reception.
Gabby Koon, a senior in the Education Academy at Indian Lake, was recognized for her artwork—a skeleton with a tree growing out of its ribcage—highlighting the impact of career education. Inspired by program lab career trees, her piece caught the attention of ACTE Executive Director Dee Smith and Mark Perna, creator of the career trees, who featured it on their social media channels. Mallory Pummell, also a senior in the Education Academy at Indian Lake, was selected for her artwork—a flower pot symbolizing growth through career education.
The ACTE Student Showcase and Art Show provided OHP students with a platform to advocate for career-technical education, demonstrate their knowledge and creativity, and connect with decision-makers who influence Ohio’s workforce development.