TOWSON, MD—The 49th Annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student Recognition Ceremony, recently held online, honored 136 seniors from across the county as exemplary students of their fields, and each was named a recipient of the Anthony G. Marchione Award for Excellence.

The ceremony, which may be viewed here, began with greetings from BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. It also featured remarks from Ken Guttman, chair of the CTE Advisory Council (CTEAC) and a graduate of Loch Raven High School; and Emilie Cherry, director of high school collaboration for CCBC.

“I am glad to have this opportunity to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our CTE students,” said Dr. Williams in his address to the seniors. “Career and Technical Education holds a very special place in my heart because of the strong connections between the classroom and future careers. . . . I can’t wait to see what you do next.”

Added Guttman, “We have highly talented youth here in our county school system, supported by a dedicated group of CTE teachers and professionals. . . . My wish for all of the graduates today is that they find a career in which they can be passionate and can lead others by their example.”

Only one student could be selected from each CTE program at each high school. Honorees were nominated by their instructors from the following fields of study: Business Education, Family and Consumer Sciences, JROTC, School to Career transition, Technical Programs, and Technology Education.

The Marchione award – named for Dr. Anthony G. Marchione, who retired as BCPS superintendent in 2000 and was a devoted supporter of CTE programs – recognizes outstanding CTE students based on the following criteria: Career-program success, academic record, and community involvement and related work experience, either in the classroom or on the job. Each recipient also received a gift card courtesy of the Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools.

The ceremony was hosted by CTEAC in conjunction with the Office of Career and Technical Education and in partnership with The Education Foundation of BCPS.

CTE provides students an opportunity to pursue a sequential technical and academic program of study leading to advancement in a career field. High school CTE programs give students the opportunity to transition smoothly into postsecondary education and to earn college credit and/or industry credentials in a career field of interest.

Students honored in the ceremony are listed below along with the names of the businesses and/or organizations where they worked or interned: