Girl Power to the Max
DeQueen-Mena, South Central, and Southwest AR Education Cooperatives partnered with Ledwell for a regional student competition event, Girl Power to the Max, to encourage participation in non-traditional occupational areas for females. Any 9-12th grade female student attending a public school within the three Arkansas Education Cooperatives’ area schools was invited to compete. Girls had the opportunity to participate in competitions focusing on CNC Cutting and CNC Lasering technology projects using advanced equipment in Welding and Power Structural Systems. The competition focused on exploring and perfecting skills in high-need, high-wage, high-demand nontraditional occupations and fostering student innovation opportunities.
Each cooperative hosted a local cooperative event, then the top winners from each division (CNC Cutting and CNC Lasering) participated in the regional competition hosted at Ledwell in Texarkana, TX, on March 1, 2023. Projects were presented for judging and were scored on creativity, construction design, technical skill, and interview.
Innovation Grant funds of $145,000 were awarded by the Arkansas Division of Career and Technical Education, and $8250 was donated by regional industry partners. Funds were used to purchase CNC Plasma Cutting systems, CNC laser engraver technology, tool chests, and equipment to enhance public school CTE Programs.
Twenty-one girls from 13 public Arkansas school districts competed at the regional competition. Winners were:
1st Place CNC Cutting: Kinlee Stivers from Horatio
1st Place CNC Lasering: Mallory Abercrombie from Foreman
People’s Choice: Emily Lewis from Mt. Ida
Ledwell Choice: Jaycee Sanders, Claire Beaver, and Della Ables from Hampton
Winners received trophies from Boss Laser, cash awards, and $500 tuition waivers from UAHT.
The event started at DMESC with ten girls participating. This year’s event reached over 125 girls in Southwest Arkansas. Before participating in the event, girls were surveyed, and it indicated 63% were not interested in pursuing manufacturing careers. After the event, 74% said they would like to work in STEM or Manufacturing related careers.
The coordinator's major takeaway from this series of events is the ability to bridge the skills gap between schools and industry. Partnerships with our area businesses like Ledwell are helping put investments in our area schools, increase student opportunities, and cultivate workforce growth.
