HISD held its sixth annual Career and Military Signing Day on May 16 inside Delmar Fieldhouse. The signature event celebrates seniors graduating from the District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and who have decided to serve in the military.

“We want these students to know that their accomplishment means something that matters, and we see them,” said Dr. Dana Carmouche, HISD Business Partnerships Manager. “This is a testament to the programs that we offer in Career and Technical Education—that we do have a clear pathway for success.”

The event kicked off with the Presentation of Colors from the Heights High School Color Guard and military acknowledgements from Dr. Cornell McGhee, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and HISD’s JROTC Program Director. Attendees were then treated to a lunch catered by Northside High School culinary students.

Special guests included leaders from all branches of the U.S. military as well as industry partners in a wide range of high-wage, high-demand career fields.

Chavez High School senior Emily Martinez is one of 20 HISD students who have been hired by Walgreens.

“Chavez offers a lot of programs,” said Martinez, who will also be attending the University of Houston in the fall. “In the pathway that I’m in, which is health science, there are a lot of branches. Pharm Tech is a big branch that opens a lot of opportunities for the future. This is the start of something new in my life.”

In total, 46 HISD seniors accepted career opportunities in energy, health science, cosmetology, transportation, public safety, hospitality, business, marketing, and finance.

“The positions that these students are securing, adults can’t even apply for them because they are secured and set aside specifically for our HISD students,” said Dr. Carmouche.

In addition, 72 HISD seniors have chosen to serve in the armed forces after graduation.

Guest speaker and U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Raissa Sanchez offered some words of encouragement to the soon-to-be-graduates.

“We need future leaders in our communities and in uniform as stewards of our future to continue having a united states that stands for freedom and opportunities,” she said. “Whichever path you chose, or ultimately end up on, be the absolute best you can be in it.”

To learn more about HISD’s CTE programs, click here.