CHEROKEE COUNTY (May 5, 2026) | Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, a statewide initiative dedicated to connecting students with post‑secondary training and high‑demand skilled professions, hosted its annual Skilled Professions Signing Day on May 5, 2026, at Woodstock Arts Theatre. The celebration, held in partnership with the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED), the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) and Chattahoochee Technical College, recognized high school seniors who have committed to pursuing careers in Georgia’s most essential skilled fields.
COED President Heath Tippens emphasized the significance of the students’ decisions, stating: “Georgia’s skilled workforce is aging, and the need for these critical abilities is accelerating. Celebrating students who choose these high‑demand career paths is more important than ever. Their commitment represents real progress toward closing the skills gap.”
Modeled after traditional athletic signing days, the ceremony honored 50 seniors from all six Cherokee County high schools. Each student has committed to one of Be Pro Be Proud Georgia’s 21 skilled professions, which span industries such as Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, Automation & Robotics, Aviation, Computer Programming, Construction, Electrician, Forestry, Healthcare, and Welding.
Before the signing ceremony, a panel of past honorees shared advice and encouragement for the graduates. The panel included Katrina White (2025 honoree), Keaton Kimball (2024 honoree) and Nathan Caldwell (2025 honoree), who reflected on their own career journeys and the opportunities available in Georgia’s skilled workforce.
“College is not your only answer. You can go to trade school and have an amazing career. You could immediately go to work, and you can have an amazing career. You could go into a specific school like CNA school, which is not a trade school or a college, and have an amazing career,” said White. “You have such a wide variety of options nowadays. I would [tell seniors] to look at your options and don’t feel like you’re stuck in a bubble.”
Cherokee County School District Superintendent Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis congratulated the students and highlighted the importance of their choices:
“These students are stepping into careers that keep our communities running and our economy strong. Their dedication to mastering a skilled profession reflects both courage and purpose, and we are proud to support them as they take this next step.”
Since its launch, Be Pro Be Proud Georgia has made measurable statewide impact – reaching more than 96,000 students and completing almost 500 tour visits across Georgia through its Mobile Workshops and hands‑on career exploration tools.
To learn more about Be Pro Be Proud Georgia or to explore partnership opportunities, visit beprobeproudga.org.
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Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, an initiative started by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, is leading the movement to bring a new generation of pride, progress, and professionals to Georgia’s skilled workforce.
