It may have been overcast outdoors, but the energy inside the automotive bay at Chattanooga State was one of excitement as TN Promise high school seniors took a step closer to their future by committing to a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) program at Chattanooga State this coming fall.

Executive Vice President of Technical College Dr. Jim Barrott welcomed students, parents and guests to the National CTE Letter of Intent Signing Day event before opening the day with the national CTE video that reminded students that they are the “dreamers of today and the doers of tomorrow.”

As the first guest speaker, Chattanooga State President Dr. Rebecca Ashford noted, “This event marks an important day in the lives of these students. It is the beginning of their careers and bright futures as well as being an important day for our community and workforce as it means more employees for in-demand jobs. I am so proud that Chattanooga State and TCAT play an important role in the lives of our students and the future of our community.”

Following remarks by additional guest speakers Jim Coppinger, Hamilton County Mayor; Tom Griscom, TBR Regent; Christy Gillenwater, Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce President & CEO; Dr. Bryan Johnson, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent; and Lance Myers, SkillsUSA State President, students were called up by program to sign their agreements and be photographed. Students from the following schools took part in today’s ceremony:

Aesthetics
Karrington Layton - Soddy-Daisy

Automotive
Marlon Eberhardt, Mikia Hudgins - Brainerd
Donya Parker - Central High
Austin Hankins - East Ridge
Alex Stewart - Sequatchie Co.
Ivan Graham, Michael Wagner -  Soddy-Daisy

Barbering
Tyree Alexander,
De’Koryon Powell - Brainerd

Collision Repair
Terrell Patterson - Brainerd
James Fenstemaker, Kyle Millsaps - Sequoyah

Computer Support Technician
Benjamin Esparza – Soddy-Daisy

Cosmetology
Samantha Banks, Kirsten Farris, Chailee Jones - Bradley Central
Jasmine Jose, Donisha Long, Ana Neri - Brainerd
Nacheli Martinez - East Ridge
Lindsey Dillon, Juanzell Jenkins - Sequoyah
Brooke Robinson - Ooltewah Angel Barnes – Soddy-Daisy

DieselTyler
 Hindman, William Tipton - Central
Ben Grubbs - Sequoyah

HVAC/R
Logan Earls - Sequoyah

Industrial Electronics
Daniel Locklin - Brainerd

Industrial Electricity
Leonard Whitlock - Brainerd
Bryon Lytel – Lookout Valley

Machine Tool
Allen Parker - Sequoyah

Medical Assisting
Natashia Martin -  Brainerd

Industrial Maintenance Mechatronics
Jordan Hill - East Ridge
Caleb Nelson - Sale Creek
Amber Edwards - South Pittsburg

Motorcycle/ Marine Service Technician
Dakota Wilson - Livingston Academy

Road Building Equipment Technician
Byron Rohner - Cane Ridge
Briant Haley, Brandon Ferrell- McGavock​

Welding
Nicholas Billingsley. Jarquez Black, Eric Johnson, Tywon Patterson - Brainerd
Cesar Bracero - East Ridge
Cody Hall - Howard School
Jacob Bell – Sequatchie Co.
Austin Waldo - Sequoyah
Joseph Ritchie - Whitwell