Butler Tech students represented the real-world impact of career-technical education during the 2026 CTE Student Showcase at the Ohio State House in Columbus, hosted by Ohio ACTE. The annual event brings together educators, students, and state leaders to highlight how CTE prepares Ohioans for both college and in-demand careers.
“The point of the CTE event at the Statehouse is to showcase high-level projects and high-level programs across the state and do it in a collective way that amplifies career-technical education and how important it is,” said Dr. William Sprankles, Superintendent of Butler Tech.
Dr. Sprankles was invited to speak in the Ohio Statehouse atrium as a statewide example of career-technical education in action. His remarks highlighted Butler Tech’s continued growth and investment in Ohio’s workforce, including the opening of the Aviation Center, the Advanced Manufacturing Hub, and the expansion of the Bioscience Center.
Butler Tech was represented by students across both secondary and adult education, underscoring the importance of CTE pathways for learners at every stage of life.
Brian Benge, Butler Tech Adult Education HVAC/R student out of the Butler Tech LeSourdsville campus and students from Butler Tech Secondary 3-Year Engineering program from the Advanced Manufacturing Hub.
McCoy Adkins, a junior in Butler Tech’s three-year Engineering Program, challenged common misconceptions about career-technical education.
“There is a general misconception with career techs that people just want to get out of high school. I think that is very different here. Everybody in my program is actively trying to learn and there is a passion, too. This is where I found my community. The people I’ve met here are some of the best friends of my life. The mentors I’ve met here are some of the best mentors of my life.”
Vinton Hester, also a junior in the Engineering Program, shared how Butler Tech helped him discover his direction.
“Originally, I wasn’t entirely sure what I really wanted to do with my life. Then I came to Butler Tech and started working on robotics, automation, and machining, and I’ve just fallen in love with it. Looking back, it was very much the right choice and shaped me as a person.”
Brian Benge, an HVAC/R adult education student from the LeSourdsville campus, represented one of the few adult learners present at the CTE Student Showcase. He emphasized the value of career-technical training for working adults and entrepreneurs. Brian is now operating his business and working at an area commercial HVAC company.
Career tech has impacted Brian Benge’s life in knowledge and financially. Assisting my business operations in cutting costs, whether it be ice cream machines, walk-in coolers, or air balance inside a store.”