Southern Indiana Business Report
INDIANAPOLIS – Two area college students were among the honorees recognized at the the annual CTE Awards for Excellence recognition program.
Angel Mikusak, of Linton, studies agribusiness at Vincennes University, and Brandy Ortiz, of Jasper, is a nursing student at Vincennes University – Jasper Campus.
Students were selected to receive the prestigious award based on scholarship, character, leadership, and career/technical skill proficiency.
Mikusak returned to college to finish a degree started in 1995 and is the owner of Glory Hill Family Farm. She started the first community-supported agriculture program in her area and created a free Community Farm Day. She serves as the president of Indiana Master Naturalist and is a member of Indiana Beekeepers of Indiana, Southern Indiana Beekeepers and Greene County Republicans. She has secured a job with the Farm Service Agency as a farm program technician upon graduation. She plans to continue her education at Indiana University to earn a bachelor’s degree. Mikusak also plans to expand and improve her farm to a more sustainable operation.
Ortiz is a student leader at Vincennes University – Jasper Campus while also working two jobs. She is a first-generation student and a 21st Century Scholar. She welcomes new students to campus and helps generate ideas for student events. She also possesses a passion for nursing and is CPR certified. Ortiz is bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish. She is serving the community as a translator. She wants to help patients, especially those who only speak Spanish.
The event, hosted May 12 at the Indiana Government Center by the Indiana Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, celebrates accomplished secondary and postsecondary students, programs of study, employer partnerships, and guidance counselors in career and technical education throughout the state.
“Career and technical education is a vital part of Indiana’s talent development system and provides students opportunities to gain the skills necessary for in-demand, high-wage careers,” said P.J. McGrew, executive director of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet. “The Awards for Excellence program allows us to recognize the dedicated efforts of students, instructors, employer partners, and counselors that make possible high-quality CTE programs across our state.”
The 2020-2021 award winners were nominated by CTE directors, instructors and other stakeholders from throughout Indiana. A team of CTE directors, post-secondary representatives, and state agency staff then selected this year’s 27 award winners. The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet has put on the annual event for the past two years since becoming the state’s oversight agency for career and technical education in July of 2019.
Other Vincennes University honorees living outside the local area are Luke Lehe, of West Lafayette, who’s studying hotel and motel management, and Jon Sacchini, of Fishers, who’s studying aviation flight technology. “Congratulations to the Awards for Excellence winners for their well-deserved honors,” VU Provost Dr. Laura Treanor said. “These exemplary award winners are outstanding representatives of Vincennes University, and they inspire all of us.”