Calvert Celebrates 99 Seniors Committing to Trades and Military

David M. Higgins II, Publisher/Editor

May 15

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md.—Calvert County Public Schools' (CCPS) Career and Technology Academy (CTA) celebrated 99 graduating seniors pursuing careers in skilled trades and the U.S. military during the SkillsUSA National Signing Day on May 7, 2023. The event featured business partners, sponsors, community officials, school leaders, and families.

SkillsUSA National Signing Day is an annual event organized by SkillsUSA, a co-curricular Career and Technical Student organization. It aims to support students in becoming skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members. According to the SkillsUSA website, this day is a nationwide celebration showcasing the next generation of skilled professionals and the importance of skilled career paths essential to America's future. Given the ongoing labor shortage affecting many skilled trade areas, generating student interest in these in-demand, high-paying careers is more vital than ever.

Senior Moier Graham is joined by his Academy of Health teacher, Kris Strauss. Moier will be working at Premier Urgent Care.

Senior Jamie Pitcher signs his letter of intent to join Steamfitters Local 602's apprenticeship program alongside his mother, CTA Teacher Dwight Bradford, and members of staff from Local 602.

Senior Allison Gallagher and CTA Teacher Alessia O'Dell with members of faculty and staff from Prince George's Community College's Culinary Arts program. Allison intends to enroll to further her technical studies as she pursues her career in Culinary.

Students from the Fire and Rescue program with CTA Teacher Marquis Smith and MFRI Fire Instructor, Dave Barcenes.

CTA Principal Carrie Akins emphasized the significance of the event in recognizing individual students and highlighting the importance of careers in the trades. "This event is an important reminder to us all that success follows many paths. I hope our community is as excited about the opportunities that these students have prepared for as we are," Akins stated.

During the event, students signed symbolic letters of intent to pursue careers in various skilled trades, including construction, healthcare, information technology, culinary arts, cosmetology, and the U.S. military. CTA students' commitments align with over 40 different organizations, businesses, military branches, and technical or trade programs.

Tom Gifford, Business Agent for Steamfitters Local 602, was among the business partners who participated, sitting alongside students as they signed commitments to join the organization. "The partnership between Steamfitters Local 602 and Calvert Career & Technology Academy has been fantastic. We get some of the best candidates for our apprenticeship program through CTA. Many previous students from CTA have graduated from our apprenticeship program and are enjoying fulfilling careers in the HVAC and Pipefitting Industries," stated Gifford. He added, "The National Signing Day event positively promotes the fact that you do not need to attend a four-year university to be successful and earn family-sustaining wages and benefits."

Akins expressed immense pride in the students, saying, "To say we are proud of these students is definitely an understatement. I am excited for the roles they will be filling in our community, ensuring we are well-sustained as a county and region for years to come."

This year's students who signed letters of intent and their intended employers, military service, or technical education program sponsors include:

231 Farm & Outdoor Sports: Josh Mannis
Annapolis City Fire Department: Cody Davenport
Architect of the Capitol: Andrew Wroten
Bayside Auto Group: Hunter Baillargeon
Boothe's HVAC: Connor Finnegan, Jonathan Musser, Jeremy Spriggs
Bunky's Charter Fishing: Cody Stephens
Calvert Body Works: Dohnovan Fratantuono
Calvert County Detention Center: Nic Jones, Angelina Giuliano
Calvert Health: Katie Cooke, Caylee Coyner, Bradi Fleming, Nate Hawley, Journey Kalins, Allison Whittington
Calvert Internal Medicine: Alexa Gheen
Constellation Energy: Payson Crockett
Culinary Institute of America (NYC Campus): Sheala Jefferson
CVS Pharmacy: Jessica Cecil
Dirty Habit Restaurant DC: Jacob Adamson
House of Grace Salon: Kira Young
Lincoln Technical Institute: Lillian Jacobs
Local 5 Ironworkers: Justin Barkwill
Local 5 Plumbers & Gasfitters: Dashaun Creek, James Garis
Local 26 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers: Cameron Bowen, Cody Carter, Caleb Clauser, Jonathan Colarusso, Anthony DeSantis, Charles Harvey, Louis Herbert, KJ Holland, Caleb Koscielniak, Daniel Link, William Popp, Mason Robertson, Matt Strawser, Alex Wilson, Dylan Wilson
Local 602 Steamfitters: Makenna Barth, Charlie Bearns, Austin Crouse, Frank Farrall, Michael Gaetano, Asher George, Camden Goin, William Hall, Xavier Hawkins, Tyler Lancaster, Jackson Montague, Jamie Pitcher, Josef Putman, Jacob Roberson, Triston Smith, Lucas Stevens, Calvin Strohecker, Hank Valentin, Kaden Walp, Colbey Wilson
Michelangelo's Hair Studio: Scarlette Campbell
Montgomery County Fire Department: Nick Alonso, Jett Cramer, Hunter King, Travis Winston
National Ink and Stitch: Dante McGowan
Naval District of Washington Fire Department: Kaleigh Weems
No Thyme to Cook Restaurant: Maggie Green
Patuxent Adventure Center: Randolph Young
Precision Home Improvements: Brian Davis
Premier Health Express Urgent Care: Moier Graham
Prince Frederick Ford - Ford Asset School: Thomas Marshall
Prince George's Community College - Culinary Arts: Allison Gallagher, Isaiah Harris, Cariana Holland, Fernando Rivas
Prince George's County Fire Department: Amira Akli, Matthew Constantino, Tyler Griffith, Faith Radisch
Prince William County (Va.) Fire Department: Dalton Simpson
Scheibel Construction: Lee Veltz
Sport Clips Haircuts: Isabella Hammen
Top Shelf Tinting: Brandon Bousquet
United States Marine Corps: Tristen Borgholthaus, Ayden DeSeve, Cory Herbinko, Drew Kinner
United States Army: Will Elliott, Kevin McCaffity, Ta'Myrah Mclendon
United States Navy: Christopher Ford
Victor Stanley: Nick Craig
Walls Plumbing & Heating: Curtis Walls
United Rentals: Dustin Stephens
UPS Millwright Cove Point LNG: Juan Ruiz
Walgreens Pharmacy: Malia Ford

For more information about CCPS' CTA, visit CTA's website. To learn more about sponsoring an internship or apprenticeship opportunity or how to partner with the school, please contact CTA Principal Carrie Akins at 443-550-9940.