DeKalb County High School participated Friday in an NC3 National Signing Day, where 19 seniors commit to their future technical program pathway and sign a Letter of Commitment to attend to Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) McMinnville.

NC3 Signing Day mirrors the NCAA’s National Signing Day for athletes who commit to play sports in college, but instead of athletes, NC3’s Signing Day is designed to honor students who are entering a technical field.

“These students have signed their intent in order to go on to do their post-secondary at the TCAT in McMinnville and we are really proud of them for their commitment,” said Brad Leach CTE Director at DCHS.

“Having completed the dual enrollment in all of their specific programs, these students will be able to take with them the credits they have earned here (DCHS) to TCAT McMinnville which gives them a leg up in furthering their careers,” said Leach.

Michele Chamberlain, grants and special projects specialist at TCAT McMinnville, said this is an exciting moment for these students. “It’s the start of their future. They have worked really hard in high school and now they are taking the next step going to college. With our programs, they might be in their program for a year, 16 months, or 20 months and then be ready to go out into the workforce to have a career in a high demand job,” she said.

2023-24 TCAT- DCHS participants by program who signed letters of intent with TCAT McMinnville and were recognized Friday are as follows:

Automotive Technology: Trinten Summers, Samuel Gasper, and Landon Speaks (not present)

Computer Information Technology: Jared Hernandez Balderas and Samuel Moore

Cosmetology: Kilah Terry, Kayleigh Overstreet, Rashelle Miller, Sarah Boner, Emily Satterfield, and Madison Dawson

Industrial Maintenance: Aaron Hatfield

Licensed Practical Nursing: Laura Good

Massage Therapy: Serenity Patterson

RCIE Industrial Electricity: Westin Wright, Brandon Palomo, and Pacey Ballew

Welding: Kholton Melton and Erick Soto.