Moore Norman Technology Center students Lauren Smith and Anthony Crossland were selected as April Students of the Month for the Norman Kiwanis and Moore Rotary Clubs.

Lauren Smith is a Moore High School senior and an MNTC Programming and Software Development student. She is the Norman Kiwanis Club selection. She is an active member of the Moore High School speech and debate team, National Honor Society and has been a member of the National Technical Honor Society since March 2020. She is also an active member of Business Professionals of America, a national student organization.

Smith recently competed at the OK State Leadership Conference where she placed second in Python programming and first in Java. She was a part of only 10 nationwide teams selected as winners of the NASA App Development Challenge where she won awards at the culminating event for User Interface, Community Outreach and Color Maps.

While in her MNTC program, Smith has earned her Microsoft Technical Associate certification. She is currently working toward earning a Project+ Project Management Certification and ISTQB Software testing certification.

“I chose the programming and software development program because I have found that coding is a way for me to have an artistic outlet, despite limitations with my hands due to my disability, making traditional art forms inaccessible. Furthermore, I know that I can make a difference and impact people’s lives through code,” said Smith.

Smith graduates from MHS and her MNTC program in May and looks forward to attending the University of Central Oklahoma as a Computer Science major.

Anthony Crossland is an MNTC Carpentry student. He is the Moore Rotary Club selection. He's an active member of SkillsUSA, a national student organization. 

Crossland recommends that students give CareerTech a chance. He said that MNTC provides companies with a source of new workers that are a step above entry-level workers and is less expensive than traditional higher education.

Crossland said, “I stopped attending university years ago, and having a springboard into a trade, as well as all the connections I've acquired, is something valuable to anyone choosing not to get their degree. It's a great option.”

Crossland graduates from the Carpentry program in May and will continue working with his current employer. He is working toward running his own carpentry shop within the next five years.

Learn more about MNTC's Programming and Software Development and Carpentry using these program page links or call 405-801-5000.