Graduating Seniors Honored for Their Commitment at Skilled Professions Signing Day
Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, a comprehensive initiative that connects students to post-secondary training and careers within the skilled professions, hosted its annual Skilled Professions Signing Day at Woodstock Arts on May 6, 2025. This event, which brought together Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED), the Cherokee County School District, and Chattahoochee Technical College aimed to honor and celebrate the commitment of high school seniors in pursuing skilled professions.
Stressing the importance of skilled professions, COED President Heath Tippens said, “As our skilled workforce continues to age, the demand for these critical skill sets is growing rapidly. There’s no better time to celebrate students choosing to enter these high-demand careers. Their decision marks an important step in closing Georgia’s skills gap.”
Following the model of national signing days for athletes, the event recognized the achievements of 34 high school seniors from all six Cherokee high schools who have chosen to pursue one of Be Pro Be Proud Georgia’s 20 skilled professions, including Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, Automation & Robotics, Aviation, Computer Programming, Electrician, Forestry, Healthcare, Web Development and Welding.
Before the ceremony, a panel of past Signing Day honorees shared insights for the graduates. The panel included past honorees Tyler James, Cherokee Fire & Emergency Services, and Stephen Eubanks, full-time mechanic at Express Oil Change.
“I’ve always enjoyed working on cars and learning how technical they can be, especially now days. My dad told me to do what I wanted to do, and that’s what I’m doing,” said Stephen, who is working towards owning his own business. “I’m looking forward to seeing how far I can take it. My goal is to own a speed shop, which is a lot, but I’m taking it one step at a time.”
“One of my friends who is at a four-year college asked me what it’s like working instead of going to school,” said Tyler. “I said, ‘Really I’m still going to school, but the difference is you’re paying to go to school and I’m getting paid to go to school.’”
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis, Superintendent of Schools for the Cherokee County School District, also congratulated the students. “Today we’re here to celebrate the professions that I believe make America run,” said Dr. Davis at the event. “Every profession that we recognize tonight will contribute to our community, to making families’ lives better, to making our entire country stronger.”
Brad Cox of Magnum Contracting also spoke, applauding students: “With the choices you all have made, you have the opportunity to go out and carve out a path that you choose for yourself. If you’re not afraid of a little hard work and determination, you can go out and create that American dream that’s out there. So, I applaud you for what you are doing and the opportunities that lay ahead of you.”
Since its launch, Be Pro Be Proud has made significant progress, reaching over 74,000 students and facilitating more than 400 tour visits across the state of Georgia.
To learn more about Be Pro Be Proud Georgia or to partner with this statewide initiative please visit beprobeproudga.org.