CHICKASHA -When Chickasha's Sharina Cluff enrolled in the Computer Aided Drafting and Design program at Canadian Valley Technology Center, she wasn't sure what the future had in store for her. In fact, she wasn't even sure exactly what drafting was.

Now, nearly two years later, Cluff is closing in on the completion of the CADD program, and is excited about her future career in the drafting field. "I'm ecstatic with my decision to join this program," she said. "I have really learned a lot about roads and buildings, and the skills required to construct them."

For her perseverance and commitment to achieving her non-traditional career goals, Cluff was awarded the SkillsUSA Breaking Traditions Award for Computer Aided drafting and Design. She received the award recently at the SkillsUSA state contest in Tulsa, where she also competed as a member of Canadian Valley's adult Opening and Closing team and the adult 3-D Studio Max team.

The Breaking Traditions award is given by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to students and staff who have chosen specific career and technology programs because of their interests and abilities, and who have not let their gender influence their decisions to prepare for non-traditional careers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2006 Annual Averages, less than 22 percent of drafters are women. This fact, however, has not stopped Cluff from continuing her path towards becoming a drafter. "I believe women today are capable of working in non-traditional fields which were once only available to men," she said. "After I complete the CADD program in May, I plan on getting a job in my field and becoming one of the many women who have broken the traditional stereotypes."

Cluff serves as an excellent role model to other women at CVTC who have also chosen to pursue nontraditional careers. She not only excels in the CADD program, but also stays active in student organizations on campus. She is an active member of SkillsUSA as well as a second-year member of GirlTech.