(WACO, Texas) – More than 150 high school students put pen to paper to solidify their choice of Texas State Technical College during the National CTE (career and technical education) Letter of Intent Signing Day on Thursday, April 10, at the Waco campus.
Two signing sessions were held at the John B. Connally Visitor Center. Four tables were set up with TSTC hats, pens and red folders containing paperwork that students signed.
“This is just getting them excited for technical college,” said Camryn Herman, TSTC’s associate manager for enrollment management at the Waco campus. “We get to be excited for them and can celebrate this awesome decision they are making in their lives.”
Two attendees received $1,000 scholarships as part of the National CTE Letter of Intent Signing Day. The students were Jose Fernandez Jr., a senior at Mart High School, and Ethan Mills, a senior at Covington High School. Fernandez will study in the Electrical Construction program and Mills will join the Diesel Equipment Technology program this fall.
Fernandez said he chose his program of study because his father works in the electrical field. He chose TSTC because it is close to his hometown.
“Since I was young, I would accompany him to work and pick up on a lot of what he has taught me,” Fernandez said.
Haley Funk, a Mart High School counselor, accompanied Fernandez and his parents to the event.
“He understands the value of what it takes to be successful in life,” she said. “He’s a great student. He works hard and is a motivated student.”
Lisa Grantham, a GEAR-UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant facilitator at the Region 12 Education Service Center in Waco, accompanied 10 seniors from Whitney High School to the event. She worked with the students on where they want to go to college and what they want to study.
“I am extremely excited for them to have a plan and what they want to do when they complete the programs,” Grantham said.
Kylix Rose, a senior at Whitney High School, plans to study this fall in the Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program. He said he is not afraid of heights and likes working outdoors.
“I want to get a high-paying career so I can build my own house,” Rose said.
Brendan Sanchez, a home-schooled student from Denton, plans to study in the Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program. He said his best friend, TSTC student Michael Parker, was an influence in selecting the program.
“I’m ready to get out of the house,” Sanchez said.
Registration for the summer and fall semester at TSTC is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.
