Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas honored Career & Technical Education (CTE) graduates at a signing ceremony and networking lunch on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at the historic Paramount Theatre in Abilene. CTE Signing Day celebrated graduating high school seniors who are committed to entering high demand, high wage career pathways. Family, friends, education, industry, and workforce partners were there to celebrate students from Anson, Baird, Ballinger, Clyde, De Leon, Eula, Hawley, Jim Ned, May, Merkel, Paint Creek, Snyder, Sweetwater, Winters, and Wylie.
More than 30 students from Wylie High School were recognized at the ceremony.
“I thought it was awesome,” said Wylie High School student Marcus Saenz. “I even got to talk to the fire chief who could someday be my future employer.” State Representative Stan Lambert along with special guests in workforce, industry, and education helped honor students on stage. The ceremony included students receiving honor cords and signing their commitment to industry pathways. It was followed by a mix-n-mingle event at The Grace Museum to connect students with future employers.
“I decided to become a diesel mechanic because I like the idea of helping our trucks get where they need to go in one piece,” said Wylie High School student Caleb Blackwell. “My advisor has helped me find the right school to go into to do so. She helped me with several college applications and submitting all the documents I needed.”
Workforce Solutions, in partnership with rootEd Alliance, places career advisors in participating schools to meet one-on-one with seniors to discuss goals, barriers, and ways to pay for postsecondary education or training. Since program inception in 2020, over 2,500 rural students have received career advising services to increase enrollment, retention, and completion in postsecondary programs. CTE Signing Day honored those students pursuing training in demand career pathways and receiving industry-recognized credentials.
Career & Technical Education Graduates
| Adam Jones | Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics |
| Aileigh Wooten | Internship |
| Aubrey Meador | Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources |
| Callie Slatton | Health Science |
| Carlos Gonzales | Health Science |
| Chloe Williams | Internship |
| Chris Tarr | Internship |
| Cole Killion | Manufacturing |
| Danielle Galon | Internship |
| Desiree Martinez | Health Science |
| Elijah Browning | Internship |
| Grayson Covington | Architecture and Construction |
| Harrison Dimock | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics |
| Izaiah Valero | Law and Public Service |
| Jahniya George | Health Science |
| Jake Gilbreth | Architecture and Construction |
| Joel White | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics |
| John Mason | Manufacturing |
| Joshua Brewer | Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics |
| Joshua Geronimo | Health Science |
| Joshua Hallmark | Health Science |
| Kaden Cumby | Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics |
| Kenneth Caleb Blackwell Kerley | Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics |
| Kyla Kelley | Health Science |
| Kyleigh Guerrero | Internship |
| Levi Ruiz | Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics |
| Marcos Saenz | Law and Public Service |
| Noah Potter | Manufacturing + Internship |
| Noah Torres | Law and Public Service |
| Piriyo “Nena” Modi | Internship |
| Rhys Galinak | Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics |
| Robert Walker | Manufacturing |
| Stormy Rister | Health Science |
Related: Expanding Experiences
Story by Amelia Reeves, Workforce Solutions
Photography submitted by Alyssa Goodgame