By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – Graduating seniors at Montevallo High School were recognized in a College and Career Signing Day ceremony on April 23 for the commitments they have made after high school.

Students going into the workforce, the military and college were called to the stage in groups to sign a banner and receive certificates commemorating their achievements and plans.

“This is an occasion for our students and a real special time for our group of graduating seniors,” MHS Principal Dr. Brandon Turner said. “High school is only four short years. Then, you have a lifetime to live after that. All of you have the ability to be able to think about the life you want to live and see that as your future.”

Turner said of the 101 students in the MHS Class of 2019, 23 are entering the workforce, four have earned career technical education certifications, six have enlisted in the military and 61 are going to 21 different colleges around the country.

“These seniors are taking this next step in their lives very seriously,” Montevallo Mayor Hollie Cost said. “I’m so impressed with the decisions you have made. I want to see you make your mark on the world as you have on the city of Montevallo.”

Students in each category spoke about their decisions, highlighting the benefits of the different paths students can take after high school.

Student speakers included: Gabrielle Bearden, workforce; Wade Stano, career tech; Chris Palmer and Sarah King, military; Jaky Galvan, two-year college; and Clay Colley and Zsaria Dukes, four-year college.

“Congratulations to all of you, Class of 2019,” Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks said. “You have an opportunity to do something amazing in life.”

The following is a list of where this year’s seniors are going:

• Career/Workforce

Rebekah Anderson – Youth With a Mission (missionary work)

Gabrielle Bearden – Mercedes-Benz College Automotive Program

Estefania Becerra

E Carter (Continuing Education)

Isaiah Chapple (workforce and then the Air Force)

Cameron Conwell (workforce and then the Navy)

Corey Cummings – Project SEARCH

Jack Diaz (workforce and then the Air Force)

Michael Dobbs – Project SEARCH

Marcus Dunnaway – General Motors Company

Brent Gartin

Jake Grant George

Dalton Harris

Alexia Hill

Zach Holloway

Ashlye Lacey-Jenkins

Ivan Lopez

Juan Martinez

Anete Medina

Karla Negrete (workforce and then missionary work)

Wade Stano

Karyah Thrift (workforce and then the Army)

Dylan Wright (workforce and then the Navy)

• Career Technical Educational Center (Certifications)

Gabrielle Bearden ­– Culinary ServSafe Manager

Marcus Dunnaway – Intro to Collision Repair – Pro-Level 1 Painting and Refinishing and Pro-Level 1 Non-Structural Repair

Kyle Purvis – Culinary ServSafe Manager

Steven Stano – Public Service – with a 4.0 GPA, finished first in Firefighting at Alabama Skills USA Championships in 2018

• Military

Army National Guard – Emily Blakeman and Landon Honeycutt

United State Marine Corps – Gabriel Dutton and Christopher Palmer

United State Navy – Sarah King and Triniti Tolbert

• Two-Year College

Jefferson State Community College – Jackson Burns, Katlyn Duchene, Jackquelin Galvan, Abby Hamer, Dallas Harris, Katie Horton, Maggie Lawley, Brooklyn Lee, Anna Nall, Lizzie Norberto Gonzalez, Hannah Sommers, Alexus Stripling, Alexander Tyes and Daniel Whitson

Lawson State Community College – Jalexis Braggs, Takila Hill and Jose Salazar

Wallace State Community College – Anna Kate Oden and Candace Underwood

• Four-Year College

Alabama A&M University – Amaya Allen, Zsaria Dukes and DeAnna Gilliland

Alabama State University – Skyler Armstrong and Lauryn Conwell

Auburn University – Clay Colley and Aniya Moss

Bethune-Cookman University – Jayden Givens

Full Sail University – Uriel Alvarado

Jacksonville State University – Elizabeth Hughston and Keneria Rutledge

Stanford University – Leah Waites

Troy University – Avery Anfield, Michaela Martin, Roderick Morris and Myah Webb

Union College – Jay Sullens

The University of Alabama – Hannah Mayhan, Declan Nichols, Jordan Payne and Gracie Stone

The University of Alabama at Birmingham – Dulce Elena Cruz and Caroline Landers

The University of Alabama in Huntsville – Zachary Brantley and Austin Parker

University of Montevallo – Trudie Benson, Chasity Brantley, Daniel Campbell, Ahtziri Chavez, Colby Edwards, Will Howell, Katie Jones, Kyle Purvis, Ellen Reid and Alexis Young

University of Notre Dame – Miriam Hernandez

University of North Alabama – McKenzie Hamby

University of South Alabama – Calyn Nathews and Kesley Yancey

University of West Alabama – Kadarius Underwood

University of West Georgia – Tresmond Conner and Omri Morton