The History of Indian Trails Career Cooperative

Indian Trails Career Cooperative was established in 1977 with just five school corporations. Today, it has grown to include eleven partner school corporations, serving more than 5,000 high school students enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) courses across the CTE District.

1977
Cooperative Founded

Carroll, Delphi, North White, Twin Lakes, and West Central; Twin Lakes named LEA

1978
John MacOwan Hired

John MacOwan served as director for 9 years

1982
Career Center Purchased
1983
First Programs

Auto Service and Auto Body programs started at Career Center

1984
New Name

Indian Trails Career Cooperative adopted as the official name

1986
First Community Open House
1987
Harold Dickey Named Director

Harold Dickey served as director for 4 years

1989
Rensselaer Joined the Cooperative
1990
Tech Prep Committee Formed
1991
Dan Grayson Named Director

Office moved to Twin Lakes High School

1992
North Newton Joined the Cooperative
1993
Kankakee Valley Joined the Cooperative
Ivy Tech & Indian TrailsWork on Dual Credit
Spirit of Indian Trails Staff Recognition
1994
Try Vocational/Tech Prep Day Piloted
Coop Receives State Award of Excellence (Partnerships)
1995
Cooperative Receives 2nd State Award of Excellence (Guidance)
1996
Coop Named State Site for Technical Proficiencies CTAs
Dan Holds First Coop Administrative Retreat
1997
Cooperative Celebrates 20th Anniversary
1998
Tri-County Joins Coop
Frontier Joins Coop
South Newton Joins Coop
School to Work Speakers Corps Trained
Business Partner Award Established & 1st Banquet Held
1999
Coop Adopts Career Links 2000+

Replaces School to Work

2000
Assistant Director Hired
Career Majors Introduced
2001
Cooperative Receives 3rd State Award of Excellence
2002
Project Based Learning Introduced
2003
Indian Trails Logo & Career Links 2000+ Logo Approved
Performance Excellence Introduced
2004
Ivy Tech & Indian Trails Award Dual Credit Certificates
2005
Community Emergency Response Team

 Indian Trails trains students in Community Emergency Response Team - 1st in Indiana

2007
Cooperative Celebrates 30th Anniversary
2014
James Stradling Named Director
2015
Indian Trails Office Moved to Tri-County Jr-Sr High School
2018
Cris Spangler becomes Administrative Assistant
ACTE CareerTech Vision Presentation

James Stradling, Jess Horlacher, and Kim Rosenbaum present at ACTE CareerTech Vision in San Antonio: "Breaking the Bias; Girls Do Weld"

2020
Jess Horlacher hired as Assistant Director
2021
Jennifer Johns & Gail Shriver Win Awards

Jennifer Johns wins State CTE Awards for Excellence: Program of Pathway Award

Gail Shriver wins State CTE Awards for Excellence: Counselor Award

ACTE CareerTech Vision Presentation

Jess Horlacher, Leslie Pickering, and Stephen Snyder present at ACTE CareerTech Vision New Orleans: "Building Bridges"

2022
First "Back Home Again in White County" Career Event Held
Grace Marocco Wins Award

Grace Marocco wins State CTE Awards for Excellence: Student Award

Benton Community School Corporation Joins Coop
2023
Laura Robbins, Laura Rogers, & Susan Taylor Win Awards

Laura Robbins wins State CTE Awards for Excellence: Counselor Award

Laura Rogers & Susan Taylor win State CTE Awards for Excellence: Program of Study Award

National Forum to Advance Rural Education Presentation

James Stradling and Jess Horlacher present at National Forum to Advance Rural Education Chattanooga: "Connection 101: With Teachers, Counselors, and Administrators." 

2024
Emily Cardoza and Dana Kirkwood Win Awards

Emily Cardoza wins State CTE Awards for Excellence: Student

Dana Kirkwood wins State CTE Awards for Excellence: Counselor Award

Jess Horlacher Named Director
2025
Izzy Brava, Lorelai Miller, and Benton Central Engineering Win Awards

Izzy Bava and Lorelai Miller win State CTE Awards for Excellence: Student Award

Benton Central Engineering wins State CTE Awards for Excellence: Program of Study Award

Melody Knoth Named Cooperative Work-based Learning Advisor
2026
Maisie Toosley and Carter Sterrett Win Awards

Maisie Toosley and Carter Sterrett win State CTE Awards for Excellence: Student Award

2027
Cooperative Celebrates 50th Anniversary