In keeping with our mission to support girls and women, AAUW Carlisle celebrates high school girls who choose Career and Technical Education Programs of Study.   AAUW recognizes that many high school students face pressure to attend four-year colleges from sources at school, at home, and in the wider community and culture.  Furthermore, girls who pursue non-traditional tracks in high school rarely receive recognition.  The combined impact of these influences may persuade some young women to pursue four-year degrees, often accompanied by significant debt when a vocational diploma would better suit their career goals.

We celebrate the girls in Career and Technical Education Programs of Study at Carlisle Area High School.  These girls are often the one and only — Trailblazers!  Teachers have recommended girls for recognition based on the following qualities:  good citizenship at school, enthusiasm for their Program of Study, and academic competence with passing grades in all of their courses.  In addition to recognizing the girls for their achievements, a panel of local women leaders will offer their insights to the girls as they prepare to move into their career fields or continue their technical education.

AAUW Carlisle Holds Sixth Annual Trailblazers Girls’ Recognition

On Tuesday, March 12, AAUW Carlisle honored five students in Career and Technical Education programs at Carlisle High School. The Trailblazer Award aligns with the AAUW mission of supporting women and girls, and celebrates high school girls who choose vocational or technical fields of study. In the past six years, AAUW Carlisle has honored girls in Automotive Technology, Business & Marketing, Culinary Arts, Childcare, Engineering, and Health Careers.

AAUW Carlisle created the Trailblazer Award in 2019 in recognition that, sometimes, girls who are interested in non-traditional tracks in high school may not receive positive support or recognition. When the idea for Trailblazers was first suggested six years ago, Ann Pehle, then AAUW Carlisle Branch President, wholeheartedly supported the project and committed the energy and resources of the branch to make it happen. Even during the Covid pandemic, we were able to recognize Trailblazer girls; in 2020, we did it through the mail, and, in 2021, on Zoom. In the last three years, we have been able to resume in-person events. Each honoree receives a certificate of recognition, and a stadium blanket embroidered with the AAUW Carlisle logo and the word “Trailblazers” with the year of the award.

The 2024 honorees were nominated by their teachers and selected based on good citizenship at school, enthusiasm for their CTE program, and academic competence. Cassie Diehl, Samantha Kennedy, and Rylee Diodato focused on courses in the Business Academy Program. Raquel Kennedy and Kailani Nelson concentrated on courses in the Health Careers Program. AAUW Carlisle was particularly pleased that six of our School Board Members, the School Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, High School Principal, many teachers, and lots of family members of our honorees were in attendance. It was an atmosphere of joy and celebration.

This year AAUW Carlisle is celebrating our 100th Anniversary. In keeping with a number of special events planned to mark the anniversary year, one of this year’s Trailblazer honorees was chosen to receive a cash award from our branch. Samantha Kennedy was recognized at Carlisle High School’s Career & Technology Education Senior Awards Night on May 8. Finance Officer, Mary France, presented her with a check for $500. Samantha studied in the Business Academy Program and helped to manage the Bison Corner School Store and worked at C-Luv Thrift Store as part of her program.

During the Trailblazers Recognition Program, a panel of area women who exemplify excellence in their fields recounted their personal journeys and their career successes and challenges. Samantha Corl is a Finance and Insurance Professional, Amanda Hamman is a 2017 Carlisle High Culinary Program graduate working in the restaurant industry who has worked at a number of local restaurants and resorts, and Jennifer Ickes is a Big Spring High business graduate who has advanced to Lab Manager in Research and Innovation at Carlisle Construction Materials. Each of these women offered helpful advice to the honorees and the audience.

This event is coordinated each year with Dr. Albert Parrillo, Director of Career & Technical Education for Carlisle Area School District, and Leigh Hamilton, Secretary to the Director. Culinary Arts Program Chef Carey Ehly, Chef Bill Seras and the Culinary Arts students provided refreshments following the recognition event.

2023 Trailblazer Honorees
Breighanne Beecher
Nayleska Colon
Carly Robinson
Savannah Taylor
Laura Buhrman
Katlyn Coldren
Amania Yaya
Aisling Golden
Cameron Street
Jayde Thomas

2022 Trailblazer Honorees
Aisling Golden
Emma Ahl
Olivia Garman
Madison Mock-Austin
Sophia Morrison
Shayne Anne Ramos
Devin Shingler
Abby Rexroth
Cheney Thompson
Ashlynn Zimmerman

2021 Trailblazer Honorees
Catherine Myers
Haley Wiegner

2020 Trailblazer Honorees
Ravyn Byers
Edita Dedic
Kylie Denlinger
Kaysha Everett
Savannah Hosfield
Cierra Jones
Madison Richwine
Toni Sprouse
Janie Thompson
Kayleigh Wachtman
Sierra Young

Trailblazers 2019 — Inaugural Event

On April 15, 2019 AAUW Carlisle launched a new tradition — Trailblazers Girls’ Recognition Event. Three juniors and four seniors, selected by their teachers to submit responses to a questionnaire about their CTE interests, were honored in the Fowler Auditorium at Carlisle High School. Light refreshments, provided by students in the Culinary Program, followed in the Culinary Café.

In keeping with our mission to support girls and women, AAUW Carlisle launched this “Trailblazers Recognition Event” to celebrate high school girls who choose Career and Technical Education Programs of Study. This idea has evolved from recognizing girls in STEM programs (who are likely to receive recognition elsewhere) to the recognition of girls who are pursuing study in vocational or technical fields. Teachers recommended girls for recognition based on the following qualities: good citizenship at school, enthusiasm for their Program of Study, and academic competence with passing grades in all of their courses.

AAUW recognizes that many high school students face pressure to attend four-year colleges from sources at school, at home, and in the wider community and culture. Furthermore, girls who are interested in non-traditional tracks in high school, such as automotive technology, engineering or construction trades, rarely receive positive support or recognition. The combined impact of these influences may persuade some young women to pursue four-year degrees, often accompanied by heavy college debts when a vocational diploma would better suit their career goals.

Dr. Parrillo, Director of Career and Technical at Carlisle Area High School opened the event. Ann Pehle welcomed the audience of honorees, parents, CTE students, and AAUW Carlisle members. Gail D’Urso introduced the panelists — Michelle Lisk, owner Synergy Home Care; Ashleigh Corby, owner Carlisle Pubs, Inc.; Melanie Kuzma, Assistant Service Manager at Faulkner Subaru — who shared their own experiences with a career in a CTE field. Then, each honoree was introduced and received a certificate. Seniors received a stadium blanket too.

Everyone thought the event a success. We have started a tradition that will be wonderful to keep.