Northeast State celebrated the signing of career and technical education letters of intent by more than 50 high school students on April 16 during the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) Letter of Intent Signing Day.
The NC3 Signing Day highlights high school students who are committed to attending Northeast State for the 2026-27 school year. This event recognizes students pursuing careers in technical and health care fields, emphasizing the significance of their career choices. It also underscores how these fields are essential for workforce development and addressing regional employment needs.
Shelby McKenzie, Director of High School Programs at Northeast State, welcomed the students attending the ceremony at the Technical Education Complex at the College’s Blountville campus.
“Today is a special opportunity to recognize an outstanding group of students that have made the decision to continue their education at Northeast State and pursue their careers in technical and health care fields,” said McKenzie. “We celebrate students who are committing their talents, passion and future to high-demand career pathways that are essential to our workforce and community.”
The high school students committed to the NC3 signing are Alonzo Avendano-Ortiz, Dayreen Barrientos-Tellez, Brayden Bebber, Tyler Berry, Hailey Branch, Jackson Breland, Colby Brookshire, Madison Brown, Josiah Brown, Kelin Burleson, Victoria Burmeister, Colin Carter-Yontz, Samuel Casey, Daniel Cenite, John Chayash, Landen Cox, Nathan Cox, Mackendrick Davis, Tiara Duffy, Gabriel Durham, Joshua Edmisten, Payton Egolf, Garrett Farrow, Nathan (Luke) Fields, Caroline Harbin, Stephen Harris, Lily Henry, Joey Holcomb, Brandon Horn, Evelyn Jimenez Celia, Jesse Legge, Forest McEuen, Wyatt McGuire, Lydia Osborn, Matthew Patterson, Bailey Peradotto, Ethan Perry, Matilyn Powell, Peyton Rhymer, Gage Roberts, Erica Rosenbaum, Bryson Shipley, Kirsten Simpson, Sonny Sturgill, Rainee Taylor, Skyler Vanover, Ryan Wade, Phillip Waldenmyer, Noah Wallen, Alex Watercott, Madison Wilder, and Malia Wilson.
Northeast State President Dr. Jeff McCord welcomed students and their family members to the ceremony. McCord thanked the students for their decision to pursue career pathways at Northeast State.
“We need you in our community, in our state and in our country,” Dr. McCord told the students. “We’re proud of you and grateful you chose this college for your career paths.”
The students will pursue a variety of academic degree pathways ranging from Aviation Technology and Machining to Engineering Design and Nursing. All letter-of-intent signees received Northeast State backpacks and copies of their signed NC3 certificates.
The ceremony’s guest speaker Gracie Sproles, a Northeast State alumna, shared how she discovered her career passion while a dual enrollment student in welding at Northeast State.
“I took two night classes during the fall semester of my junior year in high school,” said Sproles. “I was here until 10 at night in a welding booth sweating and dirty, and I loved every minute of it.”
Sproles joined the Strongwell company in Bristol after graduating from Northeast State. She now plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Emory and Henry University. She encouraged students to develop both their trade skills and on-site work habits from their instructors.
“Put yourself out there and get close to your instructors because they will help you out,” Sproles told the assembly. “They will teach you how to make it on the job site.”
View of gallery of photos of students attending the signing and more at https://www.smugmug.com/app/organize/NC3-National-Signing-Day-April-16-2026. For more information, visit https://nc3.net/signingday/.
Northeast State celebrated the signing of career and technical education letters of intent by more than 50 high school students on April 16 during the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) Letter of Intent Signing Day.
The NC3 Signing Day highlights high school students who are committed to attending Northeast State for the 2026-27 school year. This event recognizes students pursuing careers in technical and health care fields, emphasizing the significance of their career choices. It also underscores how these fields are essential for workforce development and addressing regional employment needs.
Shelby McKenzie, Director of High School Programs at Northeast State, welcomed the students attending the ceremony at the Technical Education Complex at the College’s Blountville campus.
“Today is a special opportunity to recognize an outstanding group of students that have made the decision to continue their education at Northeast State and pursue their careers in technical and health care fields,” said McKenzie. “We celebrate students who are committing their talents, passion and future to high-demand career pathways that are essential to our workforce and community.”
The high school students committed to the NC3 signing are Alonzo Avendano-Ortiz, Dayreen Barrientos-Tellez, Brayden Bebber, Tyler Berry, Hailey Branch, Jackson Breland, Colby Brookshire, Madison Brown, Josiah Brown, Kelin Burleson, Victoria Burmeister, Colin Carter-Yontz, Samuel Casey, Daniel Cenite, John Chayash, Landen Cox, Nathan Cox, Mackendrick Davis, Tiara Duffy, Gabriel Durham, Joshua Edmisten, Payton Egolf, Garrett Farrow, Nathan (Luke) Fields, Caroline Harbin, Stephen Harris, Lily Henry, Joey Holcomb, Brandon Horn, Evelyn Jimenez Celia, Jesse Legge, Forest McEuen, Wyatt McGuire, Lydia Osborn, Matthew Patterson, Bailey Peradotto, Ethan Perry, Matilyn Powell, Peyton Rhymer, Gage Roberts, Erica Rosenbaum, Bryson Shipley, Kirsten Simpson, Sonny Sturgill, Rainee Taylor, Skyler Vanover, Ryan Wade, Phillip Waldenmyer, Noah Wallen, Alex Watercott, Madison Wilder, and Malia Wilson.
Northeast State President Dr. Jeff McCord welcomed students and their family members to the ceremony. McCord thanked the students for their decision to pursue career pathways at Northeast State.
“We need you in our community, in our state and in our country,” Dr. McCord told the students. “We’re proud of you and grateful you chose this college for your career paths.”
The students will pursue a variety of academic degree pathways ranging from Aviation Technology and Machining to Engineering Design and Nursing. All letter-of-intent signees received Northeast State backpacks and copies of their signed NC3 certificates.
The ceremony’s guest speaker Gracie Sproles, a Northeast State alumna, shared how she discovered her career passion while a dual enrollment student in welding at Northeast State.
“I took two night classes during the fall semester of my junior year in high school,” said Sproles. “I was here until 10 at night in a welding booth sweating and dirty, and I loved every minute of it.”
Sproles joined the Strongwell company in Bristol after graduating from Northeast State. She now plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Emory and Henry University. She encouraged students to develop both their trade skills and on-site work habits from their instructors.
“Put yourself out there and get close to your instructors because they will help you out,” Sproles told the assembly. “They will teach you how to make it on the job site.”
View of gallery of photos of students attending the signing and more at https://www.smugmug.com/app/organize/NC3-National-Signing-Day-April-16-2026. For more information, visit https://nc3.net/signingday/.
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