FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 1, 2005

CONTACT: Megan Reiter (703) 683-9312; mreiter@acteonline.org

ALEXANDRIA, VA- The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announces that Meta Kay West of Abilene, Kansas will receive the ACTE Award of Merit.  The award will be presented at the ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo, December 9, in Kansas City, Missouri.

The award recognizes individuals or organizations outside the field of career and technical education for the highest meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, development and progress of career and technical education. Individuals or organizations considered for the Award of Merit must have demonstrated a concern for career and technical education through sponsored programs, publications, financial support and other activities.

For over 35 years, West has dedicated her life to spreading the benefits of career and technical education.  West began to reach out to her community by collaborating with a local newspaper editor.  She volunteered to create a monthly food column that included the interviews and recipes of area residents and various educational tips.  The information she received from the monthly columns would later be used to create a booklet.  As a family and consumer science instructor at Abilene  High School, West included students in the process.  They have designed, published, and held a yearly reception for the cooks honored in the booklet for the past two years.

In 2001, West published The Kirby House Cookbook.  The cookbook was a local and national success.  After the publication, she developed and began facilitating cooking classes and presentations to various education based and community groups all over Kansas. 

A colleagues states, “Meta West’s goal is to educate people about the integrated skills needed in the career and technical fields ---math, science, history, communication and interpersonal proficiency--- no matter what the venue.”

For more information on ACTE’s award program and its Annual Convention, visit the Association’s Web site at www.acteonline.org.

The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education.  Now in it’s 79th year, ACTE’s membership numbers more than 30,000 teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels.