Sequoyah Schools Career Connections Earns Southern U.S. Recognition for Connecting Students, Training, and Industry

September 9, 2026

Sequoyah Public Schools, Northeast Tech, Claremore Economic Development, and local employers are working together to better connect what students learn in school with the education, training and career opportunities available in their own community. That work is now earning recognition across the American South.

The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), the largest regional economic development association in North America, has recognized Claremore for program excellence through Sequoyah Schools’ Career Connections initiative. The honor was presented during the 2026 SEDC Annual Conference in Bonita Springs, Florida, recognizing outstanding economic development achievement among communities with populations of 15,001 to 40,000.

Each year, SEDC evaluates projects submitted from across its 17-state footprint based on innovation, collaboration and overall impact. The recognition marks Career Connections’ second major economic development industry honor following a 2025 International Economic Development Council Excellence in Economic Development Award.

“SEDC members are relentlessly and innovatively accelerating economic development across the American South. Collaboratively, our membership operates within a network that has built the equivalent of the third-largest economy on the planet and has positioned us for continued progress,” said SEDC President Matt Tackett. “Our members compete successfully in a global marketplace and set the worldwide standard for economic development strategy, as demonstrated by our CEDA Award winners.”

By aligning PK-12 education, CareerTech and industry early, Career Connections helps students see the opportunities available in their community, understand what those careers require and connect directly to the education and training pathways that can get them there.

“Students should not graduate and only then begin discovering the opportunities that have surrounded them their entire lives,” said Meggie Froman-Knight, Executive Director of Claremore Economic Development. “As a Sequoyah graduate, I drove Highway 66 every day without knowing what happened inside many of those buildings, much less that they housed world-class companies and careers. Career Connections changes that by connecting students to employers and the education and training pathways that can turn an interest into a career. That is workforce development, and it is economic development.”

Launched two years ago with approximately 30 students, Career Connections now serves more than 100 students annually across multiple middle and high school courses. Approximately 30 employers participate each semester across Oklahoma’s 16 Career Clusters.

Students learn directly from professionals about local careers, wages, education requirements, workplace expectations and available pathways. Middle school students focus on career exploration, research and presentation skills, while high school students advance into workforce readiness through resumes, cover letters and direct employer engagement.

“Our responsibility is bigger than preparing students to earn a diploma. We want them to leave Sequoyah understanding the possibilities in front of them and knowing how to take the next step,” said Dr. Terry Saul, Superintendent of Sequoyah Public Schools. “Career Connections gives students that exposure while they still have time to shape their coursework and plans around what they discover. Mrs. Melanie Price deserves tremendous credit for bringing this program to life in our classrooms and building the community relationships that make it successful.”

Northeast Tech adds hands-on career exploration and connects student interests to technical education, skills and credentials. Through Career in a Box activities and other experiences, students interact with industry tools, equipment and simulations rather than simply hearing about occupations.

“Career exploration becomes much more meaningful when students can connect an opportunity they are interested in with the education and training required to pursue it,” said Derek Beller, Superintendent of Northeast Tech. “This partnership helps students see that continuum. From discovering an opportunity through their school and local employers to understanding the skills it requires, CareerTech has pathways available to help them get there.”

That alignment comes as Rogers County continues to add jobs and industrial investment. More than $100 million in business expansions representing approximately 660 new jobs were announced across the community in 2025 alone.

Each partner contributes a distinct piece of the workforce pipeline: Sequoyah Public Schools provides classroom structure and student engagement; Northeast Tech connects students to technical education and training; Claremore Economic Development aligns employer participation with workforce needs; and local businesses provide real-world exposure through presentations, interviews, judging and direct student interaction.

The result is a workforce pipeline that begins well before a job application, and one increasingly recognized beyond Rogers County.

The SEDC recognition and 2025 IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Award highlight what is possible when education, CareerTech, economic development and industry work together around a shared goal: helping students understand what they can become, where they can learn it and the opportunities waiting for them close to home.

More Careers Start Here. For more information about Claremore Economic Development, visit www.MoreStartsHere.com.