Roanoke CTE extravaganza awards 14 scholarships and unveils Kathy Duncan CTE Champion award

Kathy Duncan, director of Career and Technical Education Programs for Roanoke City Public Schools, opened an evening celebration at the Charles W. Day Technical Center by announcing that the CTE Foundation will award a record 14 scholarships this year—seven for students at the DayTech campus and seven from Rotek programs—and thanking business and community sponsors for their support.

The scholarships range from $1,500 to $3,000 and include named awards such as the Lloyd Enoch Outstanding Student Scholarship ($3,000) and the Mike Toney Workplace Readiness Scholarship ($2,000). "These scholarships are possible because of the support of extravaganza sponsors each year," Duncan said, thanking sponsors including Integer, Magic City Auto Group, Wabtec Graham White, Carilion Clinic, Munter's and Retirement Unlimited.

Verita White, superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools, praised the students and DayTech as a transformational learning space and described CTE programs as delivering both technical and soft skills that prepare graduates for college, military service or direct entry into the workforce. "This is the good stuff," White said as she highlighted regional partnerships and RCPS participation in a statewide workforce-development panel launching the Virginia Business K–12 partnership.

Dan Hughes, chair of the Roanoke City Public School CTE Foundation board, reviewed the event's growth and said the foundation's fundraising goal of $40,000 is within reach. Hughes urged attendees to visit the silent auction items and noted that every dollar raised will go back to students for scholarships, tools and competition support.

Among the DayTech winners, the Lloyd Enoch Outstanding Student Scholarship went to Sophania Zen Rejed, who described engineering coursework, hands-on labs and plans to study biomedical engineering at the University of Virginia. DayTech and Rotek recipients named in presentations included Zakai King, Camila Matazuma Kayonisales, Jacob Noto, Alejandro Lopez, McCarthy Eanes, Taqui Preston and others, with many recipients holding industry certifications and plans for postgraduation training or college.

The Roanoke Kiwanis Club, represented by president Joyce Montgomery, presented additional supports—toolkits and clothing—to help graduating students enter the workforce. Amy Lowman of the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association announced the Rob Prahm Memorial Scholarship (established in partnership with CAPS to honor a building-contractor leader who died in 2024) and identified Antoine Saint Claire as the William Fleming senior recipient.

The CTE Foundation also announced the creation of the Kathy Duncan CTE Champion award, to be given to one graduating student from each high school who found a spark through CTE and plans to enter the workforce; each recipient will receive $2,000. According to the announcement, the award is initially funded by a $10,000 donation from Cameron Johnson as stated at the event.

Duncan closed the program by inviting recipients to a group photo and reminding the audience that the silent auction remains open through Tuesday; she encouraged additional donations via a QR code in the event program. "I hope tonight has provided you...with a chance to learn more about career and technical education programs in RCPS, and our amazing students," she said.

The extravaganza emphasized ties between schools and local employers, the certification and workplace-readiness gains of CTE completers, and continued community fundraising to expand scholarship and work-preparedness supports for Roanoke students.