Delaware Educators Rising Sets the National Standard with 100% Student-Run Conference

Delaware continues to lead the nation in redefining what authentic student leadership looks like.

At the 2026 Delaware Educators Rising State Leadership Conference Work-Based Learning (WBL) experience, 18 Career & Technical Education students didn’t just participate, they designed, managed, and executed one of the only 100% Student-Run Career & Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Conferences in the country.

This is not simulation. This is not shadowing. This is real leadership, in real time, with real responsibility.

A Student-Led Executive Model

Under the direction of Dr. Michael Hill-Shaner, students structured the conference using a professional organizational model that mirrored executive leadership and corporate governance.

Students operated across multiple management divisions, including:

• Conference Operations & Event Management

• Marketing & Competition Management

• Crisis & Safety Management

• Food & Beverage Management

Within these divisions, students served as:

• Senior Supervisors

• Team Managers

• Line Supervisors

• Leads

• Specialists

• Coordinators

These were not honorary titles. Students were accountable for logistics, communication systems, competition integrity, hospitality coordination, crisis preparedness, and full-scale conference execution.

The following students engaged in the opportunity:

Mohammad Alvi, Odyssey Charter School

Anthony Rameriz-Zomara, Milford High School

Dayna Eltokatly, Newark Charter School

Shayon Chowdhury Newark Charter School

Prathin Avula, Newark Charter School

Alana Destin, Lake Forest High School

Ava Jester, Milford High School

Abigail Sweet, Lake Forest High School

Elaine Guo, Charter School of Wilmington

Samantha Altidor, Milford High School

Mark Rigor, Newark Charter High School

Arnav Gill, Newark Charter High School

Nadine Eltokatly, Newark Charter High School

Destiny Snow, Seaford High School

Michael Smith, Smyrna High School

Briana Catalon, Smyrna High School

Joshua Soto, Delcastle Technical High School

Carter Porter, Indian River High School

William Penn's Photography & Videography Team

Cross-Pathway Collaboration at Its Best

This event was strengthened by collaboration with the Delaware Restaurant Foundation and the University of Delaware Lerner College of Business and Economics.

Work-Based Learning students participated in workshops and campus tours at UD’s Lerner College, expanding their exposure to postsecondary pathways and strengthening Delaware’s workforce pipeline.

In addition, culinary pathway students elevated the conference hospitality experience through collaboration across eight schools:

Middle School Programs

• Magnolia Middle School

• Fifer Middle School

• Smyrna Middle School

• Gauger-Cobbs Middle School

High School Programs

• Dover High School

• Smyrna High School

• Cape Henlopen High School

• Brandywine High School

This cross-program integration demonstrates Delaware’s innovative CTE ecosystem, where multiple pathways work side-by-side to execute high-level, professional events.

Real Impact. Real Outcomes.

Through this experience, students:

• Applied culturally responsive leadership practices

• Managed executive-level planning and decision-making

• Developed crisis response and safety protocols

• Built professional communication and stakeholder management skills

• Strengthened confidence in pursuing and engaged in their desired careers

• Engaged directly with higher education and industry leaders

This model moves beyond traditional CTSO structures. Delaware students are leading the change of national systems.

A National Model of Student Leadership

Across the country, most CTSO conferences are adult-managed with student assistance. Delaware has flipped the model.

We are proud to be one of the only states in the nation operating a fully student-run CTSO conference structure, placing authentic responsibility in the hands of young leaders and holding them to professional standards.

As Dr. Michael Hill-Shaner shared:

“When we say student voice, we mean empowering student leaders, not symbolic roles, but real decision-making authority. Watching these students operate at an executive level, solve problems in real time, and support one another with professionalism and purpose is proof that Delaware is building the next generation work our workforce and leaders in Delaware. This isn’t practice. This is preparation.”

The Bigger Picture

The Delaware Educators Rising WBL experience directly supports:

• Statewide workforce pipeline development

• Career-connected learning

• Postsecondary exposure and readiness

• Cross-sector collaboration

• Equity-centered leadership development

Delaware continues to demonstrate that when students are trusted with real responsibility, they rise, not only to meet expectations, but to exceed them.

And the nation is watching.

A special thank you to the Delaware Teacher Academy Foundation and the following mentors for supporting this work:

• Meghan Gardner, Delaware Restaurant Foundation

• Ruthann Messick, Delaware Restaurant Foundation

• Tini Graff, Smyrna High School

• Alexandra Ulrich, Smyrna High School

• Amanda Bundek, American Legion Ambulance Service/Little Creek Fire Company/DPH

• Jackie Brandt, Odyssey Charter School

• Rachquel Winn, Odyssey Charter School

• Taylor Jenkins, State Staff

• Dr. Ashley Wilson, State Staff

• Leilani Carrera, State Staff

• Brandi Henderson, State Staff