Michigan Department of Education names SHS senior winner of Breaking Traditions 2019 Excellence Award
In a ceremony held on May 16 at the Michigan Historical Library, SHS senior Chloe Miner became one of four students statewide to win the Michigan Breaking Traditions 2019 Excellence Award. User provided photo.
by Diane Rockall
In a ceremony held on May 16 at the Michigan Historical Library, SHS senior Chloe Miner became one of four students statewide to win the Michigan Breaking Traditions 2019 Excellence Award. All told, 91 high school and college students were recognized for overcoming obstacles and stereotypes to succeed in career and technical education (CTE) programs. Miner and three other students received 2019 Excellence Awards; 87 students received 2019 Merit Awards.
Karl Heidrich, Superintendent of Stockbridge Schools, was among the first to receive notification from MDE and was pleased to pass on the good news. “This was sent from MDE today,” he wrote to SCN. “Chloe Miner is a Stockbridge 12th-grade student and won this award. The only student in Ingham County!”
“Building talent is a priority in Michigan so it’s important that we recognize students who overcome perceived barriers and the programs that helped them,” Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles said. “These 91 students achieved success in career and technical education programs that are nontraditional in their gender, and therefore are role models for peers who may be considering such a career path.”
Miner was recognized for her achievements at the Wilson Talent Center’s Aviation Academy. She said the reason why aviation is part of the non-traditional programs for females “is because female pilots only make up 7% of the whole pilot community.”
She was surprised to learn she had won. “I am deeply honored to have been awarded the Breaking Traditions Excellence Award. It means a lot to me because everyone who has applied for it is a hardworking student who also deserves the award. I am honored to have been chosen and am beyond thankful.”
In order to be considered for the award, nominees must complete a CTE program nontraditional to their gender; enroll in a Michigan high school or career center program during the 2018-19 year; be nominated by a staffer employed by the student’s school or career center; have satisfactory academic standing, acceptable citizenship, and disciplinary history; and contribute to awareness of nontraditional careers.
She said the reason why aviation is part of the non-traditional programs for females “is because female pilots only make up 7% of the whole pilot community.” User provided photo
“I was shocked that I won,” Miner said, “because I was competing with every female and male from the state of Michigan who has also applied for this award and also put a lot of hard work into it.”
Chloe Miner pictured with father Joe Miner.
Chloe Miner lands after her first solo flight on Feb. 9, 2019.
Chloe Miner pictured with three pilots from the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 55.
Chloe with her stepfather, Steve Davis, and her mother, Lisa Davis.
