Clay Soares is presented with the Outstanding Career & Technical Education Senior Award at Senior Recognition Night 2025.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Outstanding Career & Technical Education Senior Award is Lehigh Career & Technical Institute’s most prestigious accolade. Students selected to receive it are the best of the best at LCTI.

One of this year’s two Outstanding Career & Technical Education Senior Award winners is Clay Soares, a Parkland High School student in LCTI’s Culinary Arts program. Director of Career & Technical Education Darin Van Norman honored Clay on Thursday (May 29, 2025) at PPL Center during the school’s annual Senior Recognition Night.

Their Culinary Arts program teacher, Brittany Donati, said, “What makes Clay truly stand out is their unwavering dedication to their peers.

They are a strong advocate for student voice and well being, and their leadership style is inclusive, empowering and authentic. Their peers respect them, their teachers trust them and their community values their contributions.”

The 17-year-old has been an integral part of LCTI’s SkillsUSA and FCCLA chapters during their high school career. For the past two years, they’ve served as FCCLA president, leading with confidence and vision. They’ve also represented their school in multiple competitions, earning a bronze medal at the state level in SkillsUSA, and silver and gold medals in FCCLA.

Clay is a National Technical Honor Society member, a student ambassador for the Culinary Arts program, and an avid volunteer who is constantly organizing or supporting community efforts with their time and talent. They’re also a past Student of the Quarter and one of this year’s Elmer Gates Enterprise Award winners.

Clay participates in LCTI’s cooperative education program; they work in food services at Saucon Valley Country Club. Next year, they’re heading to Johnson & Wales University up in Rhode Island.

Congratulations, Clay. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!

This is how we achieve! #weachieve