Kent County High School Principal Kris Hemstetter takes a photo of the graduating seniors in the Broadcasting Career and Technical Education pathway during an awards ceremony Tuesday, May 6.
WORTON — "Can you tell that the skilled trades are alive and well in Kent County High School?" said Tom Porter to a crowd of families and teachers gathered Tuesday, May 6 to celebrate Career and Technical Education students.
Porter is Kent County Public Schools supervisor of accountability and CTE. He was on stage at Kent County High School May 6 to lead the awards ceremony for the Class of 2025's CTE students.
The annual CTE Showcase and Awards Night provides families and community members an opportunity to check out students' capstone projects, celebrate their achievements and enjoy dinners available from a variety of food trucks on campus.
Food and Beverage Management instructor John Keller celebrates with senior Audrey Copeland Spivey as she receives an award for her dedication to the Career and Technical Education pathway Tuesday evening, May 6.
The high school has 11 CTE pathways, many offering an industry credential upon completion.
The pathways range from traditional trades like construction and automotive repair to human services through health occupations, fire and rescue, food and beverage management and the Teacher Academy of Maryland and on through technological innovations in broadcasting, computer science and pre-engineering.
Members of the Kent County High School team of Career and Technical Education teachers include, from left, Tim Kellerman, Information Technology and Computer Science; Dr. Jessica Clough, Teacher Academy of Maryland; Jennifer Kuhl-Depp, Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education; Justin Jenkins, Project Lead the Way – Pre-Engineering; Chris Singleton, Broadcasting; Kevin Nelson, Automotive Technology; John Keller, Food and Beverage Management; Brett King, career counselor; and Richard Shaw, Construction Trades.
"It's so wonderful to see so many enthusiastic faces here tonight," Porter told the crowd as the awards portion of the evening began. "Many of have just come from our student CTE Showcase and I hope you had a fantastic time exploring the incredible capstone projects that our seniors have poured their hearts and minds into."
The high school's hallways were lined with display boards showing the CTE students' projects, such as model food trucks complete with menus, recipes and marketing plans; completed carpentry projects like benches, pens and carts for musical instruments; and scientific studies by agricultural students.
Amber Long, who won a senior award for her work in the Academy of Health Professions Career and Technical education pathway, shows her capstone project during a program showcase at Kent County High School Tuesday, May 6.
"It's always so inspiring to see them so passionately share their work with the community," Porter said of the CTE students.
During the awards ceremony, each CTE teacher spoke about their pathway program and reflected on the growth of their students as they prepare to graduate later this month.
Each teacher also highlighted one student in particular for their work, presenting them with an award to highlight their dedication to their pathway.
This Class of 2025 CTE award winners are:
• Amber Long, Academy of Health Occupations
• A.J. Besse, Automotive Technology
• Jonah Elburn, Broadcasting
• Logan Hyland, Construction Trades
• Isabelle Anderson, Curriculum for Agricultural Sciences Education
• Atrevion Wilson, Project Lead the Way – Pre-Engineering
• Audrey Copeland Spivey, Food and Beverage Management
• Ny Auna Lively, Teacher Academy of Maryland.
Tom Porter, right, Kent County Public Schools' supervisor of accountability and Career and Technical Education opens an awards program at the high school Tuesday evening, May 6 with career counselor Brett King.
"These students have not only excelled in their chosen CTE Pathways, but have also demonstrated professionalism, problem-solving abilities and the collaborative spirit that will undoubtedly lead each of them to bright futures," Porter said.
Career counselor Brett King also noted the achievements of four students who participated in the Apprenticeship Maryland program through the high school. Each worked at a local business as part of their studies.
Heather Billbrough completed her apprenticeship with Modern Stone Age Kitchen, Ethan Clark with Chesapeake CNC Manufacturing Inc.; Gavin Larrimore at Greenscapes Land Care; and Trevor Fuchs at Owings and Sons.
Kent County High School Principal Kris Hemstetter thanked all the community partners for their support of the CTE program and the students.
"What a wonderful evening it has been, celebrating the hard work, creativity and the achievements of our incredible students," Hemstetter said.
Kent County High School Principal Kris Hemstetter celebrates the Career and Technical Education program's graduating seniors Tuesday, May 6.
Posted May 9, 2025