Industry celebrates SkillsUSA National Signing Day
Industry leaders, including The Home Depot and 84 Lumber, participated in SkillsUSA’s National Signing Day with celebrations and events.
At the Home Depot, the retailer recognized the hundreds of high school seniors and college/postsecondary students entering the skilled trades by participating in SkillsUSA’s National Signing Day 2021 as the Southeast sponsor.
As part of the celebration, and the company’s trades training program, Path to Pro, The Home Depot Foundation provided scholarships to six students entering the skilled trades.
“We’re thrilled to help these students achieve their dreams as they enter the building and construction trades,” said Shannon Gerber, Executive Director, The Home Depot Foundation. “The opportunity to partner with SkillsUSA and Klein Tools to provide support to the next generation of tradespeople is incredibly rewarding.
Designed for SkillsUSA students pursuing a career in the building and construction trades, the program granted $30,000 in scholarships towards each student’s trade school tuition.
The Home Depot Foundation and SkillsUSA selected six winners from the Southeast region, including:
- Annayeli Dionisio, Columbus Career & College Academy, Whiteville, N.C.
- Jalen Randolph, Butler County Career Academy, Greenville, Ala.
- Jesse Moran, RIVEROAK Technical College, Live Oak, Fla.
- Kayla Eades, Cross Keys High School, Atlanta, Ga.
- Michael Snipes, East Laurens High School, East Dublin, Ga.
- Zackery Pitchford, Lumpkin County High School, Dahlonega, Ga.
84 Lumber hosted 10 high school seniors in Pittsburgh for a Signing Day event. In a style similar to National Signing Day events for high-school athletes, the students committed to careers in the skilled trades and signed “letters of intent” for a job offer, apprenticeship or advanced technical training.
Following the signing, 84 Lumber President Maggie Hardy surprised all 10 students with scholarships, totaling $50,000, towards the trade school of their choosing.
At a time when the residential housing sector is booming, and businesses continue to expand, 84 Lumber said that it is helping to shine a much-needed public spotlight on students pursuing careers in the skilled trades.
“As a 65-year-old building materials company, we know firsthand that young people can thrive and have incredible, lifelong success through the skilled trades,” said Hardy. “We are proud to be a sponsor of SkillsUSA, and we are even more proud of the students we’ve been able to get to know through this event.”
Bringing even more excitement to the event, former Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome “The Bus” Bettis emceed and cheered on the students as they signed. As a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the best all-time running backs in NFL history, Bettis has attended a few National Signing Day events of his own.
“Today is one of the most important Signing Days I have attended,” said Bettis. “I remember my own National Signing Day, and what it meant to me, my family, coaches and mentors. My own father was chief electrical inspector for the city of Detroit for 35 years, so it’s very special to be here celebrating the talents and career choices of these young people.”
The 10 scholarships from 84 Lumber were given to recipients selected by SkillsUSA. The scholarship recipients are:
- Julianna Zambrano, Center of Applied Technology North, Mary.
- Trevor Philpot, Center of Applied Technology North, Mary.
- Nyssa Lewis, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, Mass.
- Brian Lopez Mejia, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, Mass.
- Justin Yearwood, Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School, Pa.
- Nathan DeBellis, Career Institute of Technology, Pa.
- Blade Witt, Fayette County Career and Technical Institute, Pa.
- Kayla Gomez, Fayette County Career and Technical Institute, Pa.
- Gerson Castro-Rivera, Monroe Career and Technical Institute, Pa.
- Luke Overholt, Upper Bucks County Technical School, Pa.
“84 Lumber went all out in support of SkillsUSA and these students,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “The students that attended 84 Lumber’s event represented hundreds of thousands of trade workers across the country. Without these trade workers – from builders to welders to plumbers and so many more – America wouldn’t be able to function. That’s why, we are so thankful for our partners and sponsors that bring these important career paths to the limelight.”
The Home Depot Foundation said it continues to build upon the progress of its trades training program, which to date, has exposed more than 15,000 to the skilled trades while also certifying more than 5,000 participants in its first few years. As sponsors of National Signing Day, The Home Depot and Klein Tools have had the opportunity to forge meaningful relationships with students and schools across the country.
“The Home Depot plays a critical role in the building and construction space serving both professional contractors and consumers,” Travis said. “Their involvement and investment in National Signing Day have been powerful in advancing our mission and supporting our students’ accomplishments.”