When a gymnasium fills up with nearly 200 middle school girls from many area districts, the energy in the room is electric. Maranda of WOOD TV brought together this group for her annual Beautiful U, an event aimed at inspiring and empowering girls and encouraging them to dream big. Future marine biologists, entertainers, police officers and veterinarians from Comstock Park Middle school shared their aspirations while their school PBIS coordinator and Kent ISD’s Workforce Development Consultant Krista Harmon pointed out some potential connections for exploring their careers of choice

George French completed an Auto Mechanics program at Kent Career Tech Center in 1976 and spent decades auto racing and in all kinds of roles as a mechanic. He shares how a CTE start helped drive his dream with City Middle High 7th grader Adam Milkovich who is interested in exploring a career behind the wheel. Workforce Development Consultant Krista Harmon adds some potential career pathways and benefits of joining KCTC’s Alumni Network

Brian Gall spent some thirty years as an electrician after completing a program at Kent Career Tech Center that introduced him to his trade. Now, he’s using his years of experience and industry expertise to teach students like Kent City High senior Bryer Armstrong in a Kent ISD CTE program at West Michigan Construction Institute

When Ashley Sands started exploring health careers at Kent Career Tech Center, she didn’t know she would return there to teach students just like her what it takes to become a phlebotomist. Her connection with her first health careers instructor Linda Ford continues to inspire and drive her success

Soon after Karen Barrose started the Criminal Justice program at Kent Career Tech Center, this Godwin High grad knew law enforcement was in her future. Now she’s serving students and educators in her dream role as Community Patrol Officer at Kentwood Public Schools where she hopes young students see her as an example of what they could become, too.

Orli is more convinced than ever that a career in the healthcare industry is in her future. She deepened this resolve during a six-week Kent ISD summer internship learning with BAMF Health professionals and career specialists at Kendall College of Art and Design/Ferris State University

Angel wants to use his skills as a mechanical or software engineering to help his family get ahead. Kayd is driven to play college then possibly pro football, and Ryleigh is ready to pursue a career as a sports physician, all empowered by their high school education

Before careers as an orthodontist, sports psychologist, or mechanical engineer comes a lot of hard work and dedication in high school and beyond. Three students share how education is jump starting their drive to make their dreams possible

Kent ISD’s Student Leadership Community is made up of students from many districts and a wide variety of educational experiences. Today we talk to a few of them about their aspirations and how what they are learning now will help them achieve their goals

Jonas is getting a jump start as a social media influencer, Flora is using her marketing skills to craft effective messages and Kenny’s photography is a channel for his creativity. All are beginning to build their business dreams while still in high school