The Fredericksburg ISD board recognized award-winning students and heard updates on the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.

Ellison “Ellie” Tatsch was recognized as FISD’s exceptional senior at the regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday. The award came from the office of U.S. Rep. Chip Roy. A press release from Roy’s office says that the award is designated for high school seniors who have “displayed high levels of character, leadership, integrity, and diligence.”

Reece Harris and Hewston Lochte were celebrated for their advancements to state in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event competition. Lochte won the congressional art competition as well, and his photograph will hang in the U.S. capitol for a year.

Wendy Dietrich announced Academic All State students who averaged above a 92 while dedicating significant time to a varsity sport. Afterwards, she recognized the following student athletes who advanced to state: Golf: Abigail Baughn, Bryn DeGraw, Maddie Fouse, Lauren Gray, Caroline McDade Tennis: Caroline Carnett, Ava Collins, David King, Angela Lopez, Caroline McDade, Gus Wegner Track: Luke Fuchs, Cody Helmers, John Moore, Brady Stickler Kade Eckert presented on the district’s CTE program. Eckert said that the goal of CTE is to engage students with real-life experience. He said 95% of the student body participated in CTE this year.

Eckert overviewed what students across different career clusters were doing. Students in the SystemsGo engineering track were preparing to launch a rocket at a competition in New Mexico. Meanwhile, the construction students were finishing the final touches on the program’s eighth-student built house. Culinary and greenhouse students collaborated to throw a farm-totable fundraising dinner. Over the year, law enforcement students worked to direct traffic at High School football games. He said that business students in the new INCubator program had recently participated in pitch night, with the winning group walking away with $12,000. Four agriculture students, CTE’s biggest career cluster, placed fourth at a national land judging competition.

Many CTE students leave high school with relevant work certifications and experience, Eckert said. This year Fredericksburg High School saw a 76% passing rate for industry-based certifications. Additionally, 54 students were also able to shadow professionals in practicum courses.

Eckert explained that CTE programs are guided by a community advisory board which meets once a semester to discuss the needs and priorities of the various career clusters.