Sussex Tech nominees receive CTE Awards
Sussex Technical High School nominated two of the three winners who were honored by the Delaware Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education for their outstanding contributions to Career and Technical Education in Delaware. Sussex Tech senior Rebecca Southmayd was honored as the Outstanding Career and Technical Education 12th Grade Student, and Sussex Tech Dental Advisory Council Member Fay Rust was honored as outstanding individual from the private, public or education sector associated with CTE delivery.
Rebecca Southmayd was the valedictorian of Sussex Tech’s class of 2012 and also its class president. She studied media broadcasting communications and will be attending Syracuse University in September. She earned 27 college credits with the Academic Challenge program. Rebecca was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, student government, and editor-in-chief of the yearbook. Rebecca participated in Odyssey of the Mind where she was a four-time state champion. She represented Sussex Tech at the Governor’s School for Excellence, University of Delaware Summer College and the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference.
As a junior, Rebecca won first place in the Read Across America contest and was recognized by the National Education Association. Also as a junior, Rebecca and her four-person Broadcast News Production team not only became state champions, but also finished third in the nation in the highly competitive SkillsUSA National Championships at Kansas City, Mo.
Rebecca’s community spirit actions also exemplify her character. As a member of the Spanish Honor Society, she has tutored children at La Casita and donated school supplies to Latino families. As class president, she helped raise more than $5,000 for the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Fay Rust has served on state accrediting boards as well as being a spokesperson for the Dental Hygienist Association on legislative matters. Because of her expertise in the field, Sussex Tech sought the help and advice of Rust in beginning its dental services technical program. She freely gave her time in visits on campus to fine-tune the program before an instructor came on board. She continued to contact the school on its progress that exemplifies her commitment to her profession and occupation.
W.L. Gore and Associates, nominated by Hodgson Vocational Technical High School, received the award for Outstanding Contribution by a Business.
According to its website, the mission of the Delaware Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education is to strengthen and enhance the career and technical education delivery system and to assist the state in providing quality programs and expanded opportunities for all citizens. The council conducts evaluations; reviews programs, services and plans; and makes policy recommendations to the governor, General Assembly, Department of Education and State Board of Education on matters pertaining to career and technical education in the state.
