Bardstown High School celebrated the accomplishments of Career and Technical Education students Wednesday morning during the annual Path2Pro Industry Certification Awards Breakfast held in the multipurpose space at the Bardstown Polytechnic Center. Hosted each year by Workforce Development Coordinator Lance Blanford, the breakfast recognizes seniors for their hard work, certifications, technical achievements, competition success, and career readiness. Teachers, instructors, and community business partners who provide placement opportunities for students were also in attendance. Breakfast for the event was prepared and served by Bardstown High School culinary students within the Polytechnic Center, giving students an opportunity to showcase the real-world culinary and hospitality skills developed through the school’s Hospitality/Culinary program.
This year, BHS students earned an impressive 154 industry certifications and state technical assessments across multiple Career and Technical Education pathways.
Industry Certifications and Technical Assessments – 154 in Total
Engineering
Students earned 16 NOCTI CAD Foundation certifications, recognizing foundational skills in computer-aided design and technical drafting.
Hospitality/Culinary
Students earned 17 certifications, including two students who earned the ServSafe Managers Certification for the first time in Bardstown High School history. The certification focuses on food safety, sanitation, and restaurant management practices.
Business/Marketing
Students earned 18 certifications in accounting, administrative support, and marketing.
Health Science
Students earned 77 certifications, including:
- 42 Healthcare Core certifications
- 17 MNA certifications
- 8 Phlebotomy Technician certifications
- 7 EKG Technician certifications
- Additional certifications included Patient Care Technician, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Veterinary Technician, and Pharmacy Technician certifications.
General Contracting Construction
Students earned 44 Home Builders Institute certifications, an industry-recognized certification focused on foundational construction and workplace skills.
Students also earned certifications through the school’s partnership with the Up Center in:
- Information Technology (3)
- Automotive (3)
- Carpentry (2)
Carpentry students also successfully passed the Tech Ready Apprentices for Careers in Kentucky (TRACK) assessment, allowing them to bypass the first year of an apprenticeship program following graduation.
Regional and State Competition Recognition
Students were recognized for outstanding performances in both Engineering and Health Science regional and state competitions.
Engineering Regional Competition Results
- 1st and 2nd Place — CAD Architecture
- 2nd Place — CAD Engineering
- 2nd Place — Digital Video Production
- 2nd Place — Music Production
- 2nd Place — Photographic Technology
- 2nd Place — PVC Design
- 1st Place — Technology Problem Solving
- 3rd Place overall finish
Engineering State Competition
- 2nd Place CAD Architecture — Isaac Cecil
Health Science Regional Competition Results
- 1st and 5th Place — Nursing Assisting
- 2nd Place — Occupational Therapy
- 1st Place — Parliamentary Procedures
- 2nd Place — Dental Science
- 4th Place — Emergency Medical Technician
- 5th Place — Forensic Technology
- 5th Place — Medical Terminology
Health Science State Competition Results
- 1st Place Occupational Therapy — Annebelle Mattingly
- 3rd Place Nursing Assisting — Laken Lucas
- 5th Place Dental Science — Alex Roby
Scholarship Recognition
Engineering student Everett Sagrecy was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from American Fuji Seal for his internship work in the ink lab. The award was presented by Wilma Sorrell and Scott Giffels of American Fuji Seal.
Brenda Buffin Excellence in Career and Technical Education Award
The Brenda Buffin Excellence in Career and Technical Education Award honors the legacy of Mrs. Brenda Buffin, who dedicated thirty years to Bardstown High School and Career and Technical Education. Throughout her career, she worked tirelessly to ensure students learned current business and workforce skills while creating opportunities for leadership, competition, networking, and personal growth.
Mrs. Buffin served as a teacher, department chair, CTE Coordinator, FBLA adviser, and leader at both the local and state level. Most importantly, she believed in making learning meaningful, helping students grow, and teaching the importance of lifelong learning and respect for others.
The award recognizes outstanding students from Engineering, Business/Marketing, Health Science, Culinary, and Construction who demonstrate exceptional leadership, academic achievement, character, dedication to their program area, and a commitment to representing Career and Technical Education in a positive way.
This year’s recipients included:
- General Contracting Construction — David Litton
- Health Science — Laken Lucas
- Engineering — Emily Hill
- Hospitality/Culinary — Matthew Peniston
A huge thank you to the Bardstown Foundation for Excellence in Public Education for their generous financial support in helping make these certifications possible for our students.
Bardstown High School congratulates all students recognized during this year’s Career and Technical Education Awards Breakfast and thanks the teachers, instructors, families, and community partners who continue to invest in student success.
CLICK HERE to view all photos from the BHS Path2Pro Industry Certification Awards Breakfast.
