Standout career center graduates honored

MILAN TWP. — Two EHOVE Career Center students are proving that grit, growth and guidance can shape a bright future. Both students are stepping confidently into the next phase of their lives — armed with purpose, skills and hard-won wisdom through their own resilience. Sierra Stewart, Norwalk High School Education and family careers student Sierra Stewart, from Norwalk High School, plans to major in social work at Bowling Green State University. She is driven to help others out of interest but also from experience. Stewart lost her father in 2013 and her mother in 2018. The trauma of losing parents as a young child can be a catalyst for long-term psychological and behavioral consequences, an often insurmountable challenge, but another complication was already in play for her. She had been struggling with a sleep disorder that went undiagnosed for years and affected her almost constantly. She couldn't stay awake or focus, and it was all negatively affecting her mental health. Stewart's ambition to support children with their mental health and learning struggles is a reflection of her journey — a journey that wasn't always smooth, but was always moving forward. She credits her older sister, Alexandra, who took her in after losing their parents, with helping her find her way. "I could not have made it without her," Stewart said. "She kept me going and is a big reason why I am here today." By choosing EHOVE's education and family careers program, Stewart said she gained not just training but direction, as she found she had purpose. "EHOVE has helped me prepare for my future in every way possible," Stewart said. "It has shown me what I want to do with my life and helped me gain the knowledge and skills to succeed in that field." She took a chance and applied to be an EHOVE ambassador, a high-expectations and responsibility leadership role that includes representing EHOVE and her program through: • Speaking publicly at events • Making visits to the district's partner schools to meet with students • Publishing professional-level social media content on an official EHOVE channel for the program Her genuine demeanor and drive were the right fit for the team, so she was selected to represent her program among the many applicants. But more than titles or accolades, she said it was the hands-on experience and encouragement from EHOVE staff that gave Stewart something more powerful: belief in herself. She wanted to be sure to pay that forward and nominated her program instructor, Charla McAbier, for the Most Influential Teacher Award. At EHOVE's Scholarships & Awards Night on May 7, she read directly from her heartfelt winning nomination to let everyone know how McAbier had impacted her life and future. "I have faced many challenges over the years that have caused me to grow up quickly," Stewart shared. "They made life difficult, but they also pushed me to become someone who can make a difference." She speaks with quiet confidence, knowing that the pain she's endured can be transformed into empathy and action. Her past may have been difficult, but her future is crystal clear. Lilly Rhoades, Bellevue High School EHOVE auto tech student Lilly Rhoades, from Bellevue High School, plans to attend Grace College in Indiana, majoring in mechanical engineering. Her vision is bold: to use her education, internships and work experience to one day offer therapy to those navigating the same uncertainty she once faced. Before coming to EHOVE, Rhoades was homeschooled and had not been on a traditional school campus. But she made the leap after seeing her older sisters, Grace, Sarah and Anna, thrive as EHOVE students. "Having been raised as a conservative, homeschooled girl, I had a limited worldview and different social skills than other students my age," Rhoades said. "Coming to EHOVE was like stepping into an entirely new world." It was not easy. Adapting to the public school environment and the broader spectrum of ideas and people required her to stretch emotionally and intellectually. But instead of shying away, she leaned in. She had chosen a male-dominated career field of auto mechanics. At first, she thought she had to prove herself but soon realized that it all became part of developing her problem-solving skills and that being herself and doing her best was the way to go. "When I first came to EHOVE, I knew I wanted to do something with cars, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to work on them or design them. I had always loved working on them with my dad," Rhoades said. "EHOVE became the place where I grew — not just academically, but personally. It shaped my character, sharpened my communication skills and helped me understand perspectives far different from my own." Rhoades quickly became a powerhouse of involvement. She also was selected for the leadership role of EHOVE ambassador, was active in Teen Leadership Corps and SkillsUSA at EHOVE and became a member of the National Honor Society. She was instrumental in launching EHOVE's morning news program and creating the vision and platform for the Connecting EHOVE podcast that is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Her awards list reflects her efforts and growth. Among other awards, she earned the following: • EHOVE Career Tech Student of the Year • EHOVE Principal's Leadership Award • Career Tech Student Organization Award • Elks Award She also secured more than $16,000 in scholarships, including the Dean Scholarship, Winona Merit Scholarship and Car Coddlers Scholarship to support her continued education. Even while pursuing her studies in college, she plans to stay employed at Bellevue Schools as an assistant diesel mechanic working on the district's school bus fleet to combine academic learning with real-world experience. Her ultimate career goal is to design cars and car parts as an engineer. "When I first came to EHOVE, I was reserved and unsure of my future. But now I leave with clarity, direction, and confidence," Rhoades said. "The teachers are genuinely caring and invest in the success of each student." Stewart and Rhoades are a testament to the transformative power of career tech education. EHOVE didn't just give them skills: It gave them a stage to find their voice and the tools to build their futures. Their journeys reflect EHOVE's core mission: "Preparing the future workforce for in-demand careers through skilled hands-on education." Through that, students like Stewart and Rhoades are doing more than planning for their futures—they're preparing to shape the future of others. Their stories of strength inspire, their futures are bright — and thanks to their determination, they are ready to lead. To see Stewart and Rhodes' documentation of the EHOVE student experience on social media, search their program names of EHOVE Education & Family Careers and EHOVE Auto Tech on Facebook or Instagram. To learn more about their programs or EHOVE Career Center, go to www.EHOVE.net.