UHS celebrates ‘Senior Signing Day’

Published 5:37 pm Wednesday, May 10, 2017

While graduation may mark the end of high school, for the majority of seniors at Unaka High School it will not be the end of their education or training.

On Wednesday afternoon, the teachers and staff at Unaka High hosted a special Senior Signing Day ceremony to recognize those seniors who will be continuing their education after graduation. The ceremony was the first of its kind for the school.

“We are so excited to begin this new tradition at Unaka High School,” said Principal Betsy Oliver.

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Of the school’s 73 seniors, 68 of them will go on to attend a college, university, or technical school, or will be pursuing a career in the U.S. military.

For the ceremony on Wednesday, representatives from several local colleges, universities, and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Elizabethton were on hand to congratulate students.

Carter County Board of Education Chairman Rusty Barnett also addressed the students during the event.

“I want to congratulate you guys,” Barnett told the students. “On behalf of the Carter County School Board, you make us very proud.”

The event was coordinated by UHS counselor Lisa McGinnis and Emilee Conkin, the NiswongerCARES College and Career Advisor for UHS.

“We wanted to make this a big deal for seniors to let them know that not only do we care about them, but that they have their whole future ahead of them,” Conkin said. “They are super excited to have an event like this. Today was all about them.”

At many schools, special ceremonies are held for student athletes who sign commitments to play sports at their chosen college. Conkin said the school wanted to create a similar event to celebrate those students who are going on to continue their education regardless of whether or not they play sports.

The ceremony was attended by the junior class at the school as a way to help promote the importance of planning for an education or career path.

Following the ceremony on Wednesday, the seniors were treated to cake and refreshments, watched a slideshow video featuring photos of the students throughout the years, and a special photo area where the students could pose for pictures with their friends or take selfies.