Arrow Wrecker Service of Oklahoma City recently received the Outstanding Business/Industry Partner Award from the Oklahoma Career and Technical Education Equity Council.

The company, owned by Al and Vanita Muzny, was one of seven businesses and nonprofit organizations and 15 people honored at the 23rd annual Making It Work Day March 29 at the state Capitol. Making It Work Day recognizes individuals and organizations who are committed to removing barriers to success for single-parent families by providing educational experiences for students beyond the classroom. The ceremony also recognized nontraditional students.

Arrow Wrecker Service works with the HIRE program at Moore Norman Technology Center to hire disadvantaged Oklahomans, said Becky Wood, HIRE program coordinator, who nominated the company. The company’s commitment runs deeper, however, she said.

Arrow provides a catered lunch every day for every employee, police officers and anyone who comes in who needs a meal; it sponsors its neighborhood alliance and has paid for sidewalks and landscaping; and it sponsors the Mark Twain Elementary newspaper and Christmas for children in the Head Start program.

“Al and Vanita are without a doubt two of the most giving people I have ever met,” said Tracy Setzer, a HIRE program graduate and Arrow employee. “I started at this company two years ago and have seen firsthand their giving nature. They would give you the shirt off their backs if you needed it. I love my job and everyone who works here. We are definitely more like a family than co-workers.”

Hazel Toney, a graduate of Moore Norman Technology Center, recently received the Outstanding Student/Graduate Award from the Oklahoma Career and Technical Education Equity Council.

Toney was one of 15 people and seven businesses and nonprofit organizations honored at the 23rd annual Making It Work Day March 29 at the state Capitol. Making It Work Day recognizes individuals and organizations who are committed to removing barriers to success for single-parent families by providing educational experiences for students beyond the classroom. The ceremony also recognized nontraditional students.

To prove something to herself and her children, Toney completed her high school equivalency diploma, then completed the business/office program through Moore Norman Technology Center’s HIRE program, said Becky Wood, HIRE coordinator, who nominated Toney for the award.

Toney obtained an internship with Top of the World in Norman and eventually obtained a position at the company in the department in which she interned, Wood said.

“Today, Hazel lives looking forward, not looking back,” Wood said. “Today she is part of an amazing organization that sees her value and calls her ‘family.’ The best part of this story is that her children are now in pursuit of their goals -- all because Mom led the way.”​

OkCTEEC is affiliated with the administrative division of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education. The council advocates for students pursuing nontraditional careers and for resources for educating single parents.

“The mission of OkCTEEC is to serve as a unifying council for all personnel serving displaced homemakers, single parents, teen parents, single pregnant women, nontraditional students and at-risk females. The Making It Work Day award ceremony is held to honor the tireless work of these amazing students, programs and community and business partners,” said Charlie Weeks, Work Prep and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families coordinator at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

He serves as an adviser for OkCTEEC, along with Lisa French of the Department of Human Services and Gina McPherson of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

“Making It Work Day at the Capitol focuses on those people in our communities across this state who have gone above and beyond to improve their lives and the lives of others: students who have overcome great barriers to success, instructors who give extra support, administrators who prove what good leadership can do, businesses and community partners who offer a second or even third chance for others to get on their feet,” said Leslie Brown, OkCTEEC president and POWER program director at Western Oklahoma State College.

“That is what we recognize at Making It Work Day at the Capitol. It is their chance to shine and OkCTEEC’s chance to let our state leaders see the faces of those who are truly working hard in our state. Legislators throughout Oklahoma get to meet those who have made a difference in Oklahoma. We at OkCTEEC are honored to be able to have this day of recognition for those who are so deserving.”

OkCTEEC’s purposes include promoting and supporting career and technology education, increasing its effectiveness, promoting research in the field and in educational equity, developing leadership and advocating for equity and diversity.

For more information about OkCTEEC, visit www.cteec.org/. For more information about the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, visit www.okcareertech.org.