Dighton-Rehoboth Student Named Outstanding CTE Scholar

Director of Career and Technical Education Michael Strojny is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) has recognized Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School senior Kylie Smith as one of 50 Outstanding CTE Scholars in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

A student in the high school’s Marketing and Entrepreneurship program, Kylie was selected for this prestigious honor based on her strong academic performance, leadership, technical skill, and broad involvement in both school and career-connected experiences.

An honor student with a 3.7 GPA, Kylie has distinguished herself as a leader in DECA, serving as chapter president for the past two years. She has advanced to state and international competition each year, earned a top-five placement at the state level in professional selling, and qualified for international competition. She was also selected for the DECA Leadership Academy and helped lead her chapter’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Campaign to international qualification this year.

Beyond the classroom, Kylie has applied her skills through two years as an athletics department intern, supporting media events and social media outreach, while also participating in the cooperative education placement program in a role focused on apparel and promotional design. Her experiences reflect the kind of authentic, applied learning that defines high-quality career and technical education.

“Kylie exemplifies what we hope students gain through Career and Technical Education: technical skill, leadership, creativity, and the confidence to apply learning in real-world settings,” said Strojny. “She has made a lasting impact on our program and has represented Dighton-Rehoboth exceptionally well.”

Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School Principal Dustin Demers also praised Kylie’s accomplishments and credited the support of her teacher, Patricia Madsen.

“Kylie’s recognition is well deserved and reflects not only her talent and work ethic, but also the kind of mentorship and opportunity that educators like Patricia Madsen help create for students every day,” said Demers. “Ms. Madsen has helped cultivate a program where students can lead, compete, create, and apply their learning in authentic ways. Kylie is a great example of what can happen when students find their pathway. As we often say at DRRHS, there’s something for everyone at DRRHS, and Kylie’s success is a powerful example of that in action.”

Superintendent Bill Runey noted that Kylie’s recognition reflects both her individual drive and the strength of the district’s CTE programming.

“Kylie represents the kind of future-ready student we strive to develop through DRiving Toward 2030,” said Runey. “Her accomplishments reflect talent, discipline, and initiative, and we are incredibly proud to see her recognized among the Commonwealth’s top CTE scholars.”

Kylie plans to attend Salem State University, where she will study business and continue her softball career.

Kylie was recognized at the annual awards banquet hosted by MAVA at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, where educators, families, and public officials gathered to honor some of Massachusetts’ most promising CTE graduates.

Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District congratulates Kylie Smith on this outstanding achievement.