By Beverly Victoriano, KSDE Career, Standards and Assessment Services

Citizenship Day for the state’s Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) was held on Jan. 15, in Topeka, hosted by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and state CTSOs advisors.

This annual event features state CTSO officers sharing their accomplishments and spreading awareness of how valuable Career Technical Education (CTE) programs are for the future of our youth.

With more than 100 participants, the Citizenship Day was a celebration of the high school officers of eight nationally recognized CTSOs that Kansas supports. Representatives of the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), Kansas State Board of Education (State Board), educators and Kansas CTSO advisors were in attendance.

The day started with a one-hour presentation by each of the CTSO presidents during the State Board’s January meeting. Each speaker made brief remarks about their organizations and shared the opportunities they have acquired since they assumed their role as a CTSO president.

According to Mason Lytle, his role as Future Business Leaders of America’s (FBLA) president, “allowed me to experience many opportunities while making a difference in growing professionally,” he told State Board members.

Zoë Rhodes, Future Farmers of America (FFA) state treasurer, added, “My personal definition of service is lightening the load of others by being able to clear their path without expecting anything or reward for myself.”

Click on the following link to watch the CTSO leader’s presentation to the State Board:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kv_CjszC_w&t=9800s

After the State Board meeting, attendees gathered at the Beacon, an event space across the street from the Kansas Statehouse. Dr. Jessica Dorsey, executive director of the Kansas Volunteer Commission, presented on career development opportunities in volunteering. A panel discussion followed with three former CTSO officers who provided the current CTSO officers with an opportunity to engage with state leaders and learn more about the legislative process, civic engagement, and the issues that will impact our state during the 2025 legislative session.

The former CTSO officers were state Sen. Tory Marie Blew, a former FBLA officer; retired Rep. Fred Patton, a former FBLA officer and its’ college counterpart, Project Based-Learning (PBL); and district deputy Sarah Henry of Kansas 1^st District Congressman Tracey Mann's office, a former FFA officer from the Iowa chapter.
 

During the luncheon, all the members of the State Board, KSDE, KBOR members in attendance, along with the CTSO state and local advisors were introduced. This included the newly elected State Board members: Connie O’Brien, District 4, Tonganoxie; Dr. Beryl New, District 6, Topeka; and Debby Potter, District 10, Garden Plains.

The event also featured CTSO vice presidents discussing the impact their programs have on their members and communities. Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson, and Natalie Clark, assistant director of KSDE’s Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS), shared remarks. Former State Board member Ann Mah was acknowledged for her years of service and support of CTE.

The day concluded with a roundtable discussion where each State Board member sat with student representatives to ask questions and field questions by CTSO officers from their districts.