Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri Center for Career Education, the Missouri Breaking Traditions Awards honor students in nontraditional career and technical education programs. Nontraditional students are defined as those studying for careers traditionally chosen by the opposite gender (individuals from one gender comprise less than 25 percent of the individuals employed in that occupation or field). 
 
Career centers, public two-year colleges and comprehensive high schools can nominate a single student from each nontraditional program. Winners from eight regions and two districts in the state are chosen by a panel of judges, and these finalists then compete for state awards.
 
Rosner has been an electrician for 26 years, and currently is a journeyman wireman at Bell Electrical Contractors. When she first began her career as an electrician following service in the U.S. Air Force, it was at the suggestion of her father. “I first thought I wanted to be a nurse, but I really ended up liking the job, and I still do," Rosner said.
 
In seeing the changes and evolution of her field over the years, Rosner decided to go back to school and hopes to someday transition into computer-aided drafting.
 
“CAD involves all the different aspects of construction, and I believe my experience in the field will be especially helpful. I really like using the computer, and have enjoyed learning the various programs for blueprint drawing, pipe drafting and other three dimensional programs,” said Rosner. “The teachers here at SCC are exceptional, smart and personable.”
 
David Niermann, SCC associate professor of pre-engineering and computer-aided drafting, nominated Rosner for the award. “Mary's academic performance, enthusiasm and abilities set a great example for future students to follow,” said Niermann. 
 
The SCC Computer-Aided Drafting program has had a Breaking Traditions Award recipient for five years in a row, including two regional winners, two honorable mentions and one state winner. 
 
For more information on the Missouri Breaking Traditions Awards, visit www.breakingtraditionsmissouri.org. For more information on SCC's Computer-Aided Drafting program, contact Niermann at 636-922-8561 or dniermann@stchas.edu

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit 
www.stchas.edu.

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