April 11, 2024 – CKTC’s inaugural Lineman Training Program received their course completion certificates this afternoon. The program was 3 months long and was designed to give an introductory look into the field and give the students a leg up when going into the lineman field.
Those who completed the course are pictured above from L to R: Javier Gonzalez, Phoenix Luna, Scott Mathis (Instructor), Dalton Metz, Jackson Miles and Gage Moser
Oklahoma City, OK, April 6, 2024 – The Crickets, a dynamic robotics team hailing from Caddo Kiowa Technology Center located in Fort Cobb, OK, have emerged victorious at the annual FIRST Robotics Oklahoma Regional competition. Their outstanding performance has secured them an esteemed invitation to the World Championship in Houston, Texas, from Wednesday, April 17 to Saturday, April 20, 2024.
The FIRST Robotics Oklahoma Regional, held at the OKC Fairgrounds from Thursday, April 4 through Saturday, April 6, brought together some of the most innovative and skilled robotics teams from across the United States, as well as 2 international teams. Demonstrating exceptional teamwork, ingenuity, and technical prowess, The Crickets showcased their robotic masterpiece, “THOR-AXE”, impressing competitors and spectators alike.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Reed Allen and first-year assistant coach Kyle Walbrick, The Crickets navigated through intense challenges, displaying their expertise in engineering, programming, and problem-solving. Their dedication and commitment to excellence culminated in a resounding victory, earning them the shared title of regional champions along with their alliance members, Team Tators from Boise, ID and Midas’ Mayhem out of Troy, MO.
“We are immensely proud of our kids for how they battled through adversity and setbacks,” said head coach Reed Allen. “Their hard work, perseverance, and collaborative spirit have truly paid off. This win is a testament to their exceptional talent and determination.” Allen went on to say, “Credit must be given to Rhett Morgan and Marcia Harmon. They laid the foundation for The Crickets’ success many years ago, we are simply building on their hard work and effort. This championship belongs to them as much as it does to any of us.”
As winners of the FIRST Robotics Oklahoma Regional, The Crickets have earned the esteemed privilege of representing their region on the global stage. The team is eagerly preparing to compete against top robotics teams from around the world at the World Championship in Houston, Texas. This prestigious event promises to be a showcase of innovation, creativity, and competitive spirit, and The Crickets are ready to rise to the challenge. “Skill, experience, and teamwork are far more valuable than fancy looks and expensive gadgets when it comes to performance.” says first-year competitor, co-driver, and team captain Conley King of Eakly, OK.
“We are thankful for how hard our kids worked this year, and for the amazing support from family, friends, and administration,” said assistant coach Kyle Walbrick. “I believe that my, and Reed’s, grandpas were with us in spirit helping during the whole process this year.”
The Crickets extend their heartfelt gratitude to their sponsors, mentors, families, and supporters whose unwavering support has been instrumental in their success. With their sights set on victory, The Crickets are poised to make their mark at the World Championship and continue inspiring future generations of innovators and engineers.
For more information about The Crickets and their journey to the World Championship, or to learn about how your child can join the Crickets, please contact Reed Allen at ra****@ck**.edu.
About The Crickets:
Founded in 2008, Team 2373 “The Crickets” is a passionate and dedicated robotics team representing Caddo Kiowa Technology Center in Fort Cobb, OK. Composed of talented students, mentors, and volunteers, The Crickets strive for excellence in the field of robotics through innovation, collaboration, and determination. With a commitment to inspiring and empowering future generations of engineers and technologists, The Crickets embody the spirit of creativity, ingenuity, and teamwork.
Team sponsors:
Caddo Kiowa Technology Center, ABC Superior Realty, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), United States Department of Defense (DoD STEM), and other private donors.
Team members include:
Brothers Ayden and David Anderson, Ryder Bellamy, and Ryan Ahtone from Carnegie. Malachi Dresselhaus and Samantha Bigley from Mountain View-Gotebo. Quinsyn Goombi from Anadarko. Shelton Willis from Verden. Conley King, Peyton Lierle, Easton Morris, and Gracen Ruckman from Hydro-Eakly. The Crickets are coached by Reed Allen of Fort Cobb, and Kyle Walbrick of Lawton.
About FIRST Robotics Competition:
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international high school robotics competition that gives students real-world engineering experience. Teams of students, working closely with mentors, build and program robots to perform tasks against a field of competitors. FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology to create a unique and engaging experience for participants and spectators alike.
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Caddo Kiowa Technology Center is pleased to honor the Apache Farmer’s Coop as their Partner in Progress. Apache Farmer’s Coop is comprehensive service center handling a complete line of products for today’s farmers and ranchers. Headquartered in Apache, Oklahoma, it is the leading agricultural industry provider in the Caddo Kiowa district. Apache Farmer’s Coop is a progressive and dynamic business dedicated to agricultural sustainment, environmental care, client satisfaction, and employee stewardship.
The long standing partnership between the Coop and Caddo Kiowa Technology Center provides extensive outreach in community education, short term trainings, client based services, ag business management, and safety training.
Apache Farmer’s Coop sends numerous employees to the Caddo Kiowa Crop Care Professional program. The Crop Care program trains for the complexities of modern pesticide and fertilizer services. The program develops awareness of product safety, environmental oversight, and precision ag application. This Crop Care Professional program significantly impacts Apache Farmer’s Coop’s safeguard practices, job retention and customer relations.
Above: L to R: CKTC Superintendent Tony Hancock, CKTC Ag Business Management Coordinator Keith Brownback, Apache Farmer’s Coop Agronomy Manager, Dennis Crow and CKTC Business & Industry Services Director John Noel at the 2021 OkACTE Awards Banquet.
Caddo Kiowa Tech Center’s Truck Driver Training Program is another proven relational partnership. Not only do graduates seeking CLD employment get hired by the Apache Farmer’s Coop, but the Coop sends select employees through the program for career advancement.
The Apache Farmer’s Coop believes in employee growth. The Washita Valley Leadership Program enriches local leaders through mentorship, team building, governance, youth and education, area agriculture, and economic development. The Apache Farmer’s Coop has been an avid supporter of the leadership program since inception 26 years ago, providing support through educational tours, informational sessions, and sponsoring employee attendance.
Apache Farmer’s Coop began in 1920 and have been in service for over 100 years. They have grown to service four sites in southwest Oklahoma, employing more than 40 full time employees. The Apache Farmer’s Coop is a strong supporter of the local FFA programs, and aim to provide for the community through providing revenue, jobs, and foundational support.
Above: Caddo Kiowa Technology Center board President, Dustin Tackett presents board member John Clay, with a service award for many years of diligent service to Caddo Kiowa Technology Center.
Caddo Kiowa Technology Center board member, John Clay, a long time farmer in the Carnegie area, announced his resignation from the board at the August 9, 2021 board meeting. Mr. Clay has been one of the longest tenured school board members in the state. He started in July of 1992 and ended 29 years of service in August of 2021 as representative of seat/zone 4.
Mr. Clay served on the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center board through four superintendents, eleven board members and numerous staff. His influence at CKTC has been instrumental in helping the technology center meet the needs of students and patrons in the district. Mr. Clay’s contribution to building projects, campus updates and program changes have all been a foundation in the growth of the school over the years.
Current superintendent Tony Hancock stated “Mr. Clay has been an exceptional board member. He understands the challenges technology centers face in education and the need to provide a growing workforce as we seek to impact economic development in our district. His knowledge, character and overall commitment to excellence will be difficult to replace. He will be missed.”
Board President Dustin Tackett added “It has been a pleasure to serve with John for nearly 17 years. We have experienced a great deal during our time together on the board. His desire to provide a quality learning environment for our district has never wavered.”
Caddo Kiowa Technology Center serves 14 school districts and all or part of eight counties. Along with full-time programs of training for high school and adult students, the technology center provides customized training for business and industry partners and open enrollment classes to meet the needs of patrons all across the district.
Above: Dale Lewis and Shawn Freie
Oklahoma Post-Secondary Career Education (OkPACE) announced its 2021 award winners at its annual conference in April. Caddo Kiowa Technology Center brought home two of the six awards presented.
Shawn Freie, Small Business Management Coordinator, was awarded the OkPace Economic Development Award for her work with TetherTech USA. This award recognizes the individual or collaborative team efforts who creatively provide assistance relating to business start-ups, entrepreneurship, expansion and retention, and job creation.
TetherTech Safety, USA is housed in CKTC’s Business Incubator, under the direction of Freie. With more than 16 years’ experience in small business management, and as the first in SW Oklahoma to be Incubator Certified, Freie was able to provide TTS with the direction, assistance, and facilities needed to launch their successful business. TetherTech Safety provides a product to protect against tractor trailer wheel-off incidents, using a thick steel cable running through the axle tube and tethered to a pair of wheel-end caps. This design prevents the wheel assembly from separating in the event of a bearing failure. Freie works diligently with her clients assisting in the expansion and advancement of this lifesaving product.
Dale Lewis, Director Truck Driver Training, received the OkPace Innovation Award for the creative training partnership with CHS Cooperative in Frederick, Oklahoma. This award recognizes the most unique and innovative individual or collaborative activity which took the nominee beyond the normal scope of business and industry service.
Lewis developed a one of a kind training for CHS Inc., the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative. CHS places workers from South Africa who have their I-94 work Visas with local farmers who need assistance during harvest. Lewis arranged for CKTC’s award winning truck driver training program to educate CHS workers to achieve a Certified Driver’s License (CDL). This training program put successful and highly qualified CDL drivers to work for numerous farmers in SW Oklahoma.
Freie and Lewis will represent Oklahoma Post-Secondary Career Education nationally at Vision in December. Vision is the annual conference of the national Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE).
In an effort to better assist the community with training opportunities, Caddo Kiowa Technology Center launched a new online short-term course platform. This website allows CKTC’s Adult Career Development department to have a larger online presence to serve the district’s educational and training needs.
The goal of the new platform is to provide those interested in training an easier way to learn about CKTC’s short term classes and the exciting opportunities the ACD department has to offer. The new webpage gives better access to the current class offerings, customized programs, enrollment process and ease of finding more information.
“This launch is an exciting time for CKTC in adult education,” said John Noel, Business and Industry Services Director. “This platform is easy to navigate, explains our classes, and is super convenient for enrollment. It has all of the information in one place, which is very important in serving our patrons.”
CKTC’s Adult Career Development department offers a wide variety of learning opportunities. From career advancement courses, hobbies, certifications, to adult basic education, community members can find a class that fits their desired educational interest.
For more information on CKTC’s short-term classes, please visit the site at http://mycktc.coursestorm.com.
Students in the Criminal Justice program at CKTC practiced vehicle traffic stop scenarios in order to get a good understanding of officer safety and proper procedures during this scenario.
Criminal Justice instructor Billy Scott explained “We (students) just want to get a good understanding of the safety of the officer when they make the approach to make sure officer safety is key.” The students went through a couple scenarios including one where the vehicle was being reported stolen.
The students currently enrolled in Criminal Justice at Caddo Kiowa Technology Center are Heaven Dillon (Apache), Camden Parker (Fort Cobb), Tristen Robinson (Cement), Emily Sumpter (Apache) and Lindy Toppah (Carnegie). The Criminal Justice program at CKTC launched in August of 2020.
