Seniors from Construction Technology and HVAC celebrate National Signing Day with t-shirts to commemorate the day.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) students from Rensselaer Educational Center (REC) participated for the first time in National Signing Day, partnering with Skills USA and Klein Tools to honor high school students pursuing careers and education in the skilled trades.
Similar to National Signing Day events for high school athletes, high school seniors in Construction and HVAC were recognized as they signed their “letters of intent” for job offers, apprenticeships and post-secondary advanced technical training. Students received a signing kit from Klein Tools, which included a hat, t-shirt, backpack and their first pair of Klein Tool pliers to begin their lifelong careers.
“This was an exciting day for our students as they committed to further education and careers in the skilled trades. Participation in an event like this shows how much support and value there truly is behind CTE. We are hoping that all of our CTE programs will participate next year,” says Danny Ramirez, REC’s HVAC teacher and a longtime SkillsUSA Adviser.
Ramirez learned Klein Tools was sponsoring participation in the national signing event when at the recent SkillsUSA Competition in Syracuse, NY. He signed up to participate and three weeks later a box with tools and signing materials arrived. He coordinated preparations for the event held here for the first time and invited Brittany Kitterman, Department Chair of Electrical Construction and Maintenance, Plant Utilities Technology at Hudson Valley Community College. Kitterman will be the students’ key contact at HVCC when they begin there in the fall.
“We are thrilled to welcome CTE graduates to our campus. It’s a wonderful collaboration between high school and college and we’re right next door. Careers in the trades are hot right now and there are plenty of high wage jobs in the field,” says Kitterman.
REC Principal Anthony DeFazio congratulated the students on this special day.
“Our seniors should be very proud of everything they have accomplished at Questar III as they continue their paths post-graduation. We are thrilled that we could recognize our students on this special day.”
Korey Brock, a HVAC senior from Brunswick CSD says he is glad he enrolled at REC.
“Choosing CTE for my last two years of high school was the best decision I ever made. I know I will be set to succeed in the field and have opportunities to advance.”
Rensselar Educational Center seniors from HVAC celebrate with principal Anthony DeFazio and Hudson Valley Community College Department Chair Brittany Kitterman as they prepare to sign “letters of intent” to go on to college.
