More than a year after receiving state funding from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office to expand access to driver’s education, Butler Tech officially completed its Drive to Succeed program, supporting 95 students in earning their driver’s licenses and gaining greater independence and opportunity.
At the heart of that success is Kadie Davidson, a senior in the Animal & Veterinary Science Program and the first student to apply for and complete the Drive to Succeed scholarship program.
When Kadie learned about the opportunity, she was balancing a demanding academic schedule at the Natural Science Center (NSC) and athletics at New Miami High School. As a multi-sport athlete, working enough hours to cover the cost of driver’s education was not realistic.
“I play a lot of sports, and every season I’m in something,” Kadie said. “I didn’t have time to work, and driver’s ed is expensive. When I saw the grant, I knew it was my opportunity.”
Transportation quickly became a challenge, not just for Kadie but for her family. Between school, practices, and games at her home district, relying on rides added pressure to an already full schedule.
“I didn’t want to put everything on my mom,” she said. “She already works so much, and I didn’t want her having to drive me everywhere just so I could keep doing what I love.”
Through Drive to Succeed, Kadie completed the classroom portion of driver’s education online before moving into behind-the-wheel training through Butler Tech. Determined to earn her license, she completed the entire program in under two months while continuing to balance school and sports.
Earning her license changed her daily routine and eased the burden on her family.
“Now my mom doesn’t have to leave work to pick me up or rearrange her whole day,” Kadie said. “It changed everything for our family.”
Just as importantly, having her license allowed Kadie to remain connected to her home school through athletics while continuing her education at NSC, addressing a concern many students have when deciding to attend a Butler Tech program.
“Being able to drive meant I could stay involved in sports at my home school while still coming to Butler Tech,” she said. “That was really important to me.”
The Drive to Succeed grant was implemented through collaboration with Butler Tech secondary campuses, which handled student selection and the grant process, while Butler Tech Adult Education provided application materials and delivered driver’s education instruction.
To maximize the impact of the grant, Butler Tech Adult Education delivered the program at its original cost of $600 per student, allowing funding to support as many students as possible. The Butler Tech high school campuses also played a critical role by allowing students to complete required driving hours during the school day, removing transportation barriers that often prevent participation.
In total, $61,335 in grant funding supported 95 students, all of whom successfully completed driver’s education and earned their driver’s licenses.
For Kadie, the impact was clear and personal.
“They gave me something I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise,” she said. “Without this, I probably would have had to wait until I was older. It gave me independence.”
As Butler Tech closes out the Drive to Succeed program, the results reflect what happens when access is expanded and barriers are removed. Students gain more than a license. They gain the ability to show up, stay connected, and move forward toward their goals.
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