OTC students Jorgie Teaster and Kelley Stone will be honored as winners of the 2019 Missouri Breaking Traditions awards at a ceremony in Jefferson City on Monday, April 29. As part of the award, both Teaster and Stone will receive a $1,000 scholarship, renewable for up to four semesters at OTC.
Presented by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Breaking Traditions awards honor students, educators and employers for their achievements related to nontraditional careers. DESE considers nontraditional careers to be occupations in fields of work in which one gender comprises less than 25 percent of the individuals employed therein.
About Jorgie Teaster
Jorgie Teaster is a second-year student in OTC’s Agriculture Program. She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and currently serves as the president of OTC’s National Association of Landscape Professionals Chapter. In May, Teaster will graduate with her Associate of Applied Science in Agriculture with an emphasis in plant science. She plans to transfer to Missouri State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the field. Upon graduation, she hopes to open an interactive greenhouse and farm where she can teach people how to grow their own sustainable food and medicine.
“The agriculture community is one of generosity and camaraderie. I think it’s because the spirit of agriculture is based on serving others – providing food, clothing or housing is what farming is all about,” Teaster wrote in her application essay. “I have gained so much knowledge and friendship in OTC’s Agriculture Program. I hope my future in the industry holds as much or more great experiences as I have received at OTC.”
About Kelley Stone
Kelley Stone is an Early Childhood Development student in OTC’s Middle College Program. He will graduate with his high school diploma in May, and plans to enter the United States Air Force. Once his military service is complete, Kelley plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work.
“OTC’s Early Childhood Development Program taught me that helping underprivileged children can positively affect the mental health of the next generation,” Stone wrote in his application essay. “These new beliefs brought me to the decision to pursue a career in social work. I look forward to devoting my time and effort to improving the lives of America’s youth.”
About Missouri’s Breaking Traditions awards
Since 1994, Missouri’s Breaking Traditions awards have honored outstanding students who have chosen specific career and technical education programs based on their interests and abilities. The program also recognizes outstanding educators who teach in nontraditional career education programs.
