Graduates William Rutherford and Alexandra Leadley were honored with the first-ever New Jersey Department of Education 2023-2024 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholar Award this June. The award recognized 111 outstanding New Jersey high school students and highlighted the importance of CTE in addressing the needs of business and industry for highly skilled and trained workers.

Students chosen to receive this award were nominated by their districts and demonstrated high levels of academic achievement in both their CTE program and academic courses during their senior year. The scholars also needed to complete hands-on work-based learning experiences in the workplace or a college-level course to qualify. Lastly, they must have shown that they can connect with their community by joining a career and technical student organization or a community service project.

"We are so proud of William and Alexandra for earning this state-wide recognition and helping show the amazing opportunities offered by a Cape Tech education and training," said Cape Tech Superintendent Jamie Moscony. "At Cape Tech, students are provided hands-on learning and real-world opportunities that help them develop their passions and careers, while also serving the world around them. Our communities rely on CTE programs to help students develop in-demand skills."

Rutherford graduated from Cape Tech this June as part of the Natural Sciences program where students learn a wide variety of topics, through lab and field work, in the areas of general ecology, marine biology, oceanography, commercial and sport-fisheries, upland ecology, aquaculture studies and much more. Students participate in activities including marine and ecological studies, aquaculture projects, water analysis, boater’s safety, wildlife and fisheries projects and involvement in the National FFA Organization. By the end of this program, students successfully complete and attain their NJ Boaters Safety Certificate, pending exam results.

“I am grateful for this opportunity because it helps me build my future and the career paths that it can take me into,” said Rutherford. “As an aspiring agriculturalist, the Natural Sciences program at Cape Tech helped provide me many hands-on opportunities over the course of the past three years that not many students get the chance to have.”

Along with this recognition, Rutherford was also elected as the 2024-2025 New Jersey State Future Farmers of America (FFA) Sentinel for the New Jersey FFA Association. Members developed leadership at their home chapters and were elected to their current offices by their fellow FFA members at the last NJ FFA State Convention. As a State Officer, Rutherford and his fellow officers will be responsible for promoting FFA and leading Agricultural Education students throughout New Jersey. Their duties include organizing leadership conferences, visiting local schools, and planning the State Convention.

Leadley participated in the Law and Public Safety program during her time at Cape Tech, a program that gives students the opportunity to study various tracks within the career cluster including law, police, fire and emergency services. It is divided into “levels” and is organized to provide a logical approach to understanding the operation of criminal justice and public safety in the United States. It gives an overview of the entire criminal justice response to crime, the stages of the process from the commission of crime through the law enforcement response and the administration (courts and prosecution) to corrections. The program also introduces students to the mechanics of firefighting and identifies the interdisciplinary nature of emergency response. Once completed, students successfully earn the following certifications: Professional Rescuer, 911 Emergency Communication Officer, Special Law Enforcement Officer Class One, and Fire I Cadet Firefighter, pending program requirements.

“When I applied, I included a recommendation letter from the Deputy Court Administrator Lisa Schuck, my mentor throughout my internship with Middle Township Municipal Court. She created an amazing environment for me to explore everything the court system has to offer,” said Leadley. “Her letter was a great personal testament to my dedication and professionalism.”

Leadley also served as the student representative for Cape Tech’s Law Enforcement and Public Safety Program Advisory Board. This experience gave her the opportunity to meet professionals in the field while contributing to how the board can make the program stronger for the next generation of students. “This position not only helped me express and demonstrate my ideas but also allowed me the chance make connections with future employers. I think my role with the advisory board set me apart as someone passionate about Career Education even beyond my years at Cape Tech,” said Leadley.

Both students will continue in their fields come Fall 2024. Leadley will be attending Atlantic Cape Community College through the NJ Stars Program. After obtaining her associates degree at Atlantic Cape, she plans on pursuing a bachelors degree at Stockton University, then furthering her education at Rutgers University to pursue a law degree. Her goal is to someday come back to Cape May County and better the community through work with the Cape May County Prosecutors Office or practicing advocacy law locally. Rutherford will be heading to Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pennsylvania to major in Agricultural Education with the hope of one day teaching agriculture.