On Tuesday night, 10 Uintah High School students signed letters of intent to become teachers.
The ceremony was organized by UHS teacher Janalee Watkins, who is the coordinator for the school's Teaching As A Profession (TAP) program.
"We have become accustomed to the scene of great high school athletes behind a table with college hats in front of them announcing where they plan to play the following year," Watkins said. "This year I wanted to celebrate 10 young women who have decided to become teachers.
"These 10 young scholars are entering the teaching profession at a critical moment," Watkins added. "Enrollment in teacher programs has dropped in recent years, the current teaching force is aging rapidly, and student enrollment is increasing."
Three years ago, Utah introduced Teaching As A Profession (TAP) as a new CTE Pathway. The course is designed to introduce students to the role and positive influence of effective educators and prepares them for college-level work in education programs. The students who signed their letters of intent Tuesday night have completed the TAP CTE Pathway.
"It is important to celebrate these amazing young people," Watkins said. "We need to welcome them into the teaching profession, celebrating them now and at each step of their journey to becoming the next superstars of the teaching profession."
The Uintah High students who signed letters of intent to become teachers are Becca Stearmer, Mattie Bowen, Andria Gilley, Hannah Roberts, Kalli Calder, Marni Cheshire, Seviah Despain, Emilia Kinsey, Sadie Young, and Brianna Hunt. Uintah High senior Addison Laris was unable to attend the signing event, but also completed the TAP Pathway.