Jamie Christensen
Occupational Goal: Agricultural Education Teacher

“I focused on horticulture for my CTE Pathway in high school. Although horticulture was my Pathway I [was] active in every Ag class I [took] and I loved them all. I want to further my education and become an Ag teacher. I have been around agriculture [all] my life and I understand the impact it has on our daily lives. I want to be able to do my best to help teach others who do not understand it.

Rodeo and my horses are a passion that has helped me realize my dreams. Honestly, if was not for my love and patience with horses and animals I know I would not have learned how to teach others. Due to my success in rodeo events I give riding lessons. . .Teaching about what I love comes naturally and that is how I know teaching is a great fit for me. I have been told, ‘If you do what you love you will never work a day in your life.’ Which I know is true.

I am a firm believer that not everything in life begins like we all plan for it to be, but to be a champion at life we must be able to take a look where we are and get where we want to be.”

UtahCTE.org congratulates Jamie on the CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award she received to Utah Valley University. Jamie was one of 95 students honored at the CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards banquet on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Left: Blair Carruth, Assistant Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education
Middle: Jamie Christensen
Right: Jared Haines, Vice President, Utah College of Applied Technology

Emily Kitchen
Occupational Goal: Business Owner and Pastry Chef

“I took many CTE classes and loved them all. I took many food classes that will greatly help me in my future education and career in culinary arts. One of the first foods classes I took was Food/Nutrition 1. [This class] helped me realize that I love to cook. I knew I really wanted to go into culinary arts when a chef came and talked to our Foods/Nutrition 2 class.

“My favorite class was Critical Work Skills. I interned at a bakery and absolutely loved it. [The experience] made me know for sure I wanted to go into this career. . . I loved going to the bakery and learning new things and I also loved the class time. It taught me valuable skills, not only for business but for life. These [FACS] classes had the most impact on me, more than any other class; I have loved them and learned so much. I am so grateful for these CTE classes, they have helped me find where I want to go in life. After I graduate [from college] I plan to open my own bakery as a pastry chef.” –Emily Kitchen, Davis High School

UtahCTE.org congratulates Emily on the CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award she received to Utah Valley University. Emily was one of 95 students honored at the CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards banquet on Wednesday, May, 2, 2012.

Left: Blair Carruth, Assistant Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education
Middle: Emily Kitchen
Right: Jared Haines, Vice President, Utah College of Applied Technology

Zachary Larsen
Occupational Goal: Health Science CTE Teacher

“My occupational goal is to become a CTE Teacher in Health Science Education/Health Technology. I was first introduced to the health sciences field while attending Lone Peak High School. As a sophomore I received special administrative permission to join an EMS class typically offered only to juniors and seniors. My EMS teacher had such an enthusiasm for the subject that I found myself wanting to take other health science classes. I also found that I enjoyed the unique hands-on learning environment she provided. This teacher helped me discover that I could take my interest in health sciences and teach others. She helped me realize that I could take two interests and make them a career.” –Zachary Larsen, Lone Peak High School

UtahCTE.org congratulates Zachary on the CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award he received to Southern Utah University. Zachary was one of 95 students honored at the CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards banquet on Wednesday, May, 2, 2012.

Left: Blair Carruth, Assistant Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education
Middle: Zachary Larsen
Right: Jared Haines, Vice President, Utah College of Applied Technology

Justin Lawson
Occupational Goal: Carpenter

“The CTE classes I have taken and are currently taking have prepared me well for the road ahead. I know a lot more about my future and what I can do to improve it by being in those classes. It’s something I don’t regret at all, and I encourage all high school students to take some kind of CTE class, whether it is carpentry or clothing.

“The construction field is somewhere I feel like I belong. I can hold my own in English and do well in math, but I can really flourish in Carpentry. I love the satisfaction I get after I look at what I just built. It makes me feel accomplished. Once I’m done with my schooling, becoming a construction worker is my next step, to fine tune my skills and polish up my knowledge of construction. After I have gotten to the point where I think I can start working on my own, and have the right equipment, I hope to break away from a company and start working as a private contractor.” —Justin Lawson, Viewmont High School

UtahCTE.org congratulates Justin on the CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award he received to Salt Lake Community College. Justin was one of 95 students honored at the CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards banquet on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Peter Tibbetts
Occupational Goal: Advertising and Public Relations Manager

“I would like to be trained in advertising and public relations. I have a creative mind, I like people, and I can get along with just about anyone. [In high school,] I selected the Marketing Management Pathway and learned how to market myself along with any product. I started taking marketing classes in my freshman year to help lead me to this chosen occupation.

“I have always wanted to have a job in marketing. I eventually want to open my own business. I want to keep learning [about marketing] until I know as much as I can, and to be the best I possibly can be.” —Peter Tibbetts, Mountain High School

UtahCTE.org congratulates Peter on the CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award he received to Salt Lake Community College. Peter was one of 95 students honored at the CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards banquet on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Jenny Whitecar
Occupational Goal: Video Game Designer/Programmer

“My goal is to become a video game designer or programmer. I want to work with Disney in their gaming department. . . The classes I took in high school have taught me about how to work with computers and shown me how to do some programming and design. They have taught me to use the programs that I would be using in my career field, and have given me a taste of what programming and design are like.

“The classes have helped me decide what kind of career I would like the most and [would] do my best at. The classes held my interest as both an artist and a technology fan. It has a great combination of creative leeway and a chance to advance in the growing market of technology.” —Jenny Whitecar, Syracuse High School

UtahCTE.org congratulates Jenny on the CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award she received to the Davis Applied Technology College. Jenny was one of 95 students honored at the CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards banquet on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Left: Blair Carruth, Assistant Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education
Middle: Jenny Whitecar
Right: Jared Haines, Vice President, Utah College of Applied Technology

Brendan Abbott
Occupational Goal: Registered Nurse (RN)

“My personal goal is to obtain an education that prepares me for a career in the health care profession. My mother and grandmother are registered nurses. Listening to their conversations over the years on their health care experiences, I became interested in nursing as a profession. My internship at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center allowed me to see several careers in action—medical secretaries, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and radiological technicians.

“I love learning about medicine! I love interacting with the staff. I enjoy being able to understand nurses’ and doctors’ ‘speak.’ I know that a career in the medical field is the right choice for me! I know that my CTE courses will have an impact on my college education. I believe they have given me an educational advantage through early preparation.” —Brendan Abbott, Mountain View High School

UtahCTE.org congratulates Brendan on the CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award he received to Utah Valley University. Brendan was one of 95 students honored at the CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards banquet on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Left: Blair Carruth, Assistant Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education
Middle: Brendan Abbott
Right: Jared Haines, Vice President, Utah College of Applied Technology 

Jordan Parkinson
Occupational Goal: Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Teacher

“I look forward to obtaining more education to supplement my current experience and develop into a teacher who can touch the lives of students like my CTE teachers have touched my life.

“My plan, after I finish my college education, is to become a FACS Exploration teacher in a public junior high. I know my background within CTE classes has prepared me well for this position. With all my experience sewing and cooking, I feel teaching FACS would be a good fit for me, because I have learned many things from my CTE teachers that I would love to share with others.

“I know I will be a great educator in the FACS area. I have applied many things I learned from my CTE teachers to my life, and believe [CTE] has truly helped me become who I am today.” —Jordan Parkinson, Layton High School

UtahCTE.org congratulates Jordan on the CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award she received to Weber State University. Jordan was one of 95 students honored at the CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards banquet on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Left: Blair Carruth, Assistant Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education
Middle: Jordan Parkinson
Right: Jared Haines, Vice President, Utah College of Applied Technology

Randi Faber
Occupational Goal: Veterinarian Assistant

“The CTE classes I took in high school prepared me for college and my upcoming career by giving me the opportunity to find a field that really touched my heart. I took many CTE classes in high school. There were several classes that really seemed to open my eyes and showed me that maybe I could pursue a career in this field. They were the Animal Science Tech and Veterinary Science/Assistant courses. They have shown me how much dedication it takes to know all the information and then take that information into my own hands, and that gave me the drive to want to attend college and gain the necessary certifications for a great career.” —Randi Faber, Stansbury High School

UtahCTE.org congratulates Randi on the CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award she received to Bridgerland Applied Technology College. Randi was one of 95 students honored at the CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards banquet on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Left: Blair Carruth, Assistant Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education
Middle: Randi Faber
Right: Jared Haines, Vice President, Utah College of Applied Technology

Alexis Kingery
Occupational Goal: Restaurant Manager

“The CTE courses I have taken have prepared me for my chosen career path because I have received knowledge and training in business management and restaurant fundamentals. The foods classes I have taken have taught me all I need to know about serving safe food, handling it correctly, and appropriate food presentation. The business classes I have taken have prepared me with management skills, organization fundamentals, and how to be more productive. Upon completion of my educational plans, I would like to open my own restaurant.”  —Alexis Kingery, Herriman High School

UtahCTE.org congratulates Alexis on the CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award she received to Utah Valley University. Alexis was one of 95 students honored at the CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards banquet on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.