Students sign a ‘letter of intent’ to work for a local company

Seventeen seniors in the Class of 2023 walked across the graduation stage to receive their high school diploma and already had a new job waiting for them. 

Just before graduation, the students were given the opportunity to participate in the Gaston County Schools Career Signing Day ceremony on May 23.  The event, which is similar to career signing events that typically involve college athletes, was a time for the students to be recognized for their achievements and to signify their intent to work for one of 10 local companies. 

The Career Signing Day is organized by Gaston County Schools’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department.  During the ceremony, the students “signed” for jobs with Blum, Dixon Valve and Coupling, Gaston Emergency Medical Services (GEMS), GSM Services, McGee Brothers, Momentum Tire and Car Care, Our Kids Learning, Steel Specialty, Tindol Ford, and the United States Army.  Each student was given a Certificate of Achievement, which was signed alongside a representative from the company.

Through the Career and Technical Education program, students can gain valuable knowledge in a particular career field, participate in internships and apprenticeships, and earn industry-recognized credentials, which gives them an advantage as they enter the workforce after high school.  All middle schools and high schools in Gaston County Schools offer Career and Technical Education classes, and two years ago, CTE was introduced at the elementary school level with fifth graders learning about healthcare and electrical technology.  

Below is a list of the participants in the Class of 2023 Career Signing Day:

Blum
Vincent Latta, Highland School of Technology

Dixon Valve and Coupling
Seth Glance, Bessemer City High School
Jullien Davis, Ashbrook High School
Trever Adams, North Gaston High School

Gaston Emergency Medical Services (GEMS)
Karmyn Smith, Hunter Huss High School
Corey Wilson, Hunter Huss High School

GSM Services
Colin Wells, South Point High School

McGee Brothers
Edgar Rodriguez Perez, Forestview High School

Momentum Tire and Car Care
Dylan Polk, North Gaston High School

Our Kids Learning
Jacquelin Perez Aguirre, North Gaston High School

Steel Specialty
Justin Hash, North Gaston High School
Hunter Pressley, Stuart W. Cramer High School

Tindol Ford
Dawson Aldridge, North Gaston High School

United States Army
Ragan Hovis, Cherryville High School
Johnny Kbuor, Forestview High School
Shandreona Rainey, Ashbrook High School
Yuridia Santiago, Ashbrook High School

The ceremony was recorded, and it is airing at various times this summer on Spectrum Cable Channel 21, which is the Education Station for Gaston County Schools.