By Matt de Simone
One of the many highlights from the Botetourt Technical Education Center (BTEC) each school year is the annual “Signing Day” event where BTEC students sign letters of commitment to continue their education in their respective fields of study following high school graduation. This year’s ceremony was held in the auditorium at Central Academy Middle School last Friday.
The ceremony saw 38 Botetourt County students take their first steps toward new experiences. BTEC Principal and BCPS Supervisor of Career & Technical Education Mike Ketron provided welcoming remarks to the crowd in attendance celebrating the students’ accomplishments
“One of the things I see in the news all the time about workforce development and ‘how are we going to train tomorrow’s workforce?’ or ‘who are we going to get workers from?’ especially in industry,” Ketron said during his opening comments. “They talk about workers getting older and are finding it hard to replace them. I would like those folks to give me a call, because I can show you (where to find them). These guys right here, this is what it looks like.”
Ketron noted the “community effort” from the parents, BCPS, BTEC faculty and students, and the local businesses who help and support BTEC students’ successes. He added the “instrumental” effort of the BTEC faculty who provide the support and advisement to their students ensuring their future accomplishments in their specializations.
“It’s all about a career path,” Ketron continued. “You take a kid on their career path—whether it be going straight to work or school, that’s what we want to do, and that’s what we’re doing today in recognizing these students.
President of the Botetourt Education Foundation Bob Patterson presented auto service technology student Edward Shumate the Bernie Odasz Memorial Award, which is an endowment that guarantees a scholarship to a BTEC student annually.
The following students signed their letters of commitment during the event last Friday:
Teachers for Tomorrow (Katrina Kish, instructor) – Skyler Piluso and Cheyenne Robertson
Health Aide (Shanon Griffin, instructor) – Isaac Caldwell, Ashley Cayton, Kalei Delp, Lily Hutchinson, Paiton Moore, Kadence Overstreet, Sydney Parr, Karly Potter, Marisa Roosa, Janell Saunders, Sophie Stewart, Randalyn Taylor, Lily Waddell, and Drew Whitson
Auto Service Technology (Chris Frost, instructor) – Dylan Metheny, Rey Pablo, and Edward Shumate
Cosmetology (Whitney Witt, instructor) – Kaylyn Bryant, Kaitlyn Fitzgerald, Alyssa McGhee, Kaela Riddle, and Jayden Widner
Photos by Matt de Simone
Computer Systems Technology (Chris Shaffer, instructor) – Nicholas Hall and David Merritt
Building Trades (Phillip Simmons, instructor) – Cameron LeBlanc, Colt Race-Waller, Briana Waldron, and Jeffrey Whitacre
Auto Body Technology (Nathaniel Kingery, instructor) – Trevor St. Clair
Marketing (Jonathan Cook, instructor) – Tyler Cronise and Dylan Young
Welding (Troy Linkenhoker and Chris Zalewski, instructors) – Peyton Adkins, Timothy Hight, Anna Lakes, Jayden Smith, and Seth Williamson
