Colagross is named CTE Student of the Year

RUSSELLVILLE – Ella Colagross was named Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student of the Year for Russellville High School.

She was selected from a field of 10 students who each received the CTE Student of the Month designation throughout the school year.

According to CTE Director Dr. AnnaKay Holland, those selections are based on GPA, the number of career tech courses taken, certifications earned, and involvement in student organizations, including Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and the Technology Student Association (TSA). CTE teachers selected Colagross for the Student of the Year.

“It was an absolute honor,” Colagross said. “I knew I was being considered, but I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was shocked and so thankful when they called my name.”

Colagross took both business and computer science classes, earning certifications in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access through her course in advanced business technology She also served as president of FBLA and TSA.

“My favorite part of being involved with CTE classes was all the different opportunities,” she said. “In my mom’s class, we got to go into the elementary school and teach students coding, which I thought was really cool.”

As FBLA president, she enjoyed the annual Krispy Kreme scholarship fundraiser and the Christmas toy drive. Through TSA, she found fulfillment in sharing with younger students what she and her classmates had learned.

For Colagross, the award holds deep personal meaning as a reflection of the effort she poured into her high school journey.

“This recognition kind of just shows everything I’ve been working so hard for behind the scenes,” she said. “My favorite quote is, ‘Work hard in silence and let your success make the noise.’ This award proved that all the blood, sweat and tears — and the tons of homework and studying I sometimes wondered if I was doing for no reason — really did pay off.”

Colagross credits her CTE experience with building her confidence and leadership skills.

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot in my leadership from serving in these roles,” she said. “If I hadn’t had these opportunities, I wouldn’t necessarily be as outgoing or willing to reach out to people. I think this has helped me a lot with that.”

She expressed deep appreciation for Holland as a teacher, saying she had a “huge impact” on her CTE experience.

“She has such a sweet and outgoing personality, and I always knew I wanted to have her as a teacher. She’s the most encouraging and supportive teacher. She will forever be a huge role model for me, and I’m so thankful for the impact she’s had on my life.”

Holland said it was a privilege to watch Colagross grow from a ninth grader into a confident and capable leader.

“I’ve watched her grow so much,” Holland said. “She stepped into leadership roles, especially in her senior year. At first, she wasn’t sure of her path, but she found it—and really embraced it.”

That growth also stood out to Susan DeArman, who taught Colagross in AP Language and Composition and later got to know her more when Colagross became her student aide. She said she was “not at all surprised” by Colagross’ selection, citing her maturity as something that set her apart.

“Ella is one of those students who does everything with care and precision,” DeArman said. “She often turned in assignments early so she’d have time to revise them. Her maturity truly sets her apart. I’d find myself in deep intellectual conversations with her, forgetting she was still in high school.”

DeArman added that Colagross is not only academically driven but also devoted to developing her dance skills.

“Because she is so wellrounded, I’m confident she will be very successful, and I look forward to being an audience member for her next chapter.”

Colagross has accepted a scholarship to attend Troy University this fall, where she plans to double major in dance and either business, design or English. She said her CTE coursework has given her a strong head start.

“CTE gave me practice at what college classes will look like, so I feel like I’ll be a step ahead by already knowing what to expect.”

To younger students, she offers this advice: “Explore all your options. Try new classes even if you aren’t sure what they’ll bring — you might find something you really love that you wouldn’t have known unless you stepped out of your comfort zone.”

Leadership growth