Blackwell, Newkirk, Tonkawa Students Earn Pioneer Tech’s Guaranteed Graduate Distinction

Pioneer Technology Center recently recognized its 2025-26 class of Guaranteed Graduates, honoring students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in attendance, academics, technical training and industry certification.

The Guaranteed Graduate Initiative, now in its tenth year, is designed to ensure students leave Pioneer Technology Center prepared for the workforce while giving employers confidence in the skills and work ethic of graduates entering the job market.

Among those receiving the distinction this year were several students from Blackwell, Newkirk, Tonkawa and Medford communities.

Blackwell students recognized as Guaranteed Graduates were Sarah Custer, Joshua Bonewell and Blake Lovell. From Newkirk, honorees included Trevor Bedore, Katrina Drake and Leanne Robb. William Miller and Taylor Willard represented Tonkawa, while Kingston Edwards of Medford was also named a Guaranteed Graduate.

Traci Thorpe, superintendent and CEO of Pioneer Technology Center, said the program was created to help meet workforce needs across the district.

“By setting high expectations for students, we’re helping create a workforce that is dependable and well-prepared,” Thorpe said. “Employers can trust that Guaranteed Graduates are job-ready, and in the rare case they aren’t, we back that promise with retraining.”

To earn the designation, students must maintain strong attendance, achieve a high grade-point average, successfully complete their career training program and obtain an industry-recognized credential or certification.

The initiative serves as a promise to employers that graduates have demonstrated both technical competency and professional responsibility during their training. If a Guaranteed Graduate fails to meet an employer’s expectations because of a deficiency in their technical preparation, Pioneer Technology Center pledges to provide additional training at no cost to the employer.

Students from throughout Pioneer Tech’s district were honored during a ceremony held last week in Ponca City. Along with the local recipients, students from Ponca City, Fairfax, Braman and Red Rock were also recognized for meeting the program’s rigorous standards.

Pioneer Technology Center serves students and businesses throughout north-central Oklahoma, providing career and technical education programs designed to prepare graduates for employment, continued education and career advancement.