Former Habersham Central High students were among those who signed on to study at North Georgia Techincal College. Participants at the Clarkesville signing day ceremony are pictured here. Standing are, from left, Tori Garland, Abigail Tatum, Brandon Bowden, Kenadie Smith, Mason Allison, Kyle Webb, Matthew Fairbairn, Contessa Williams, and Kristopher Stout. Seated are, from left, Carlin Fricks, Brittany Allen, Karrie Roberts and Zoe Rayburn.
North Georgia Technical College recently celebrated its inaugural Signing Day for high school students. Signing ceremonies were held on all three NGTC campuses in Clarkesville, Toccoa and Blairsville, as well as Rabun County High School. Seniors who applied to NGTC beginning fall 2019 were invited to ink their intentions of studying a technical trade skill and training to enter the workforce within two years or less, depending on their program of choice.
“We believe students choosing to enter the career and technical education fields should be applauded,” says NGTC President Dr. Mark Ivester. “They have decided that career training and technical skill certifications can provide a faster track to successful employment, and we are prepared and excited to assist them to achieve their future career goals.”
“We were excited to host this type of event to spotlight our future students,” says NGTC Vice President of Community and College Relations Amy Hulsey. “We have received so much positive feedback from parents, counselors, school administrators, and of course, the students, who agree that technical education students should be recognized among our community leaders. We are already planning for next year’s Signing Days and hoping that the word will spread to encourage more students to choose technical education early in their decision process.”
Students pursue wide range of studies in tech ed
Participants from Habersham Central High School included Tori Garland of Mt. Airy, studying health sciences; Carlin Fricks of Mt. Airy, studying network specialist; Brittany Allen of Mt. Airy, studying medical assisting; Karrie Roberts of Demorest, studying early childhood education; Zoe Rayburn of Commerce, studying early childhood education; Abigail Tatum of Helen, studying nurse aid; Brandon Bowden of Cleveland, studying pharmacy technology; Kenadie Smith of Clarkesville, studying technical specialist; Mason Allison of Mt. Airy, studying engineering; Kyle Webb of Clarkesville, studying criminal justice; Matthew Fairbairn of Cornelia, studying welding; Contessa Williams of Cornelia, studying nursing and Kristopher Stout of Clarkesville, studying criminal justice.
Students who participated in the Rabun County High School signing ceremony include Kaleb Wilburn of Clayton who will be studying business management; Chelsey Abbott of Rabun Gap, studying CNC; Kyndal Dills of Dillard, studying welding; Guillermo Cruz of Clayton, studying technical specialist; Trey McFalls of Tiger, studying environmental technology; Leonardo Barcenas of Tiger, studying horticulture; and Parker Alley of Lakemont, studying horticulture.
At the Currahee Campus one student participated. Isabelle Parrish graduated from Franklin County High School and intends to study nursing at NGTC.
“I’m very thankful that I found North Georgia Tech,” says Parrish. “It’s very affordable, and close to home, which I love. I had originally intended on going to a larger university, but once I looked into NGTC and had the opportunity to tour the college I absolutely fell in love and realized that this was where I was supposed to be.”
Each student was recognized for their intended program of study at NGTC and signed a letter of intent on stage. Each student also received the traditional Signing Day baseball hat and t-shirt.
Students interested in enrolling for fall semester 2019 at NGTC may complete an online application at northgatech.edu. Deadline to submit applications is July 25, 2019.
