Elkhorn Area High School senior Jamie Strey was nervous – yet excited – as she waited to sign her college letter of intent papers at Gateway Technical College during the Feb. 15 national signing day event broadcast live from several colleges across the United States.

Strey, along with 218 other area high-schoolers, signed their letters of intent to attend Gateway Technical College in Fall 2018, at the National Career and Technical Education Letter of Intent Signing Day.

“It’s exciting, but I’m also nervous because it’s the next chapter in my life,” said Strey. “I think it’s good that students have the opportunity to participate in this type of event. I think a lot of people should be excited to be here, to go to a technical college.”

The event, patterned after signing days for athletes, was held at the Gateway location in the college’s Madrigrano Auditorium and featured students from 26 high schools across Gateway’s district. A total of 37 colleges participated nationally.

While Strey said prior to the event she was a little nervous, she was all smiles when she later signed the letter in front of a packed auditorium.

Gateway Technical College President and CEO Bryan Albrecht told the students – and the many parents who attended the event – that their actions at the event would be the first steps to a successful career.

“If you continue on to your degree, there will be many jobs available for you once you graduate,” he said. “Welcome to the family of Red Hawks.”

Strey chose Gateway because she prefers the mix of classroom work with hands-on training which prepares students for the workforce.

“I like school, but don’t want to sit in a classroom all day, all the time,” she said. “I like hands-on education. I chose Gateway because I understand it is very hands-on with its education.”

Strey will enroll in one of Gateway’s Information Technology programs because she enjoys working with computers.

She’s still deciding which specific IT degree she will pursue. “I hope to be able to figure that out once I start taking courses,” she said.

Photos of the entire event can be found here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gatewaytechnicalcollege/sets/72157692690816724/

A video of the event can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43_7tYA6dJY&feature=youtu.be

This national event sponsored by the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) mirrors the NCAA’s National Signing Day for athletes who commit to play sports in college. It is designed to honor students who are entering a technical field and to celebrate the dignity of work.