West Hartford Public Schools seniors who have committed to careers in the skilled trades were recognized on National Signing Day on May 6, 2026.

By Ronni Newton

Nearly 40 West Hartford Public Schools seniors were honored on May 6 as the district’s second annual Career Signing Day ceremony, which coincided with the nationwide SkillsUSA National Signing Day celebration.

The recognition, held in the West Hartford Town Hall auditorium, was a collaboration between the town, the school district, and the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, and included the opportunity for networking and even signing letters of intent to join apprenticeship or other programs at a variety of businesses or other organizations that participated in the event.

Brian Cohen, department supervisor of Career and Technical Education for West Hartford Public Schools, said the students who attended Signing Day “have decided to take a leap” and pursue a career in a high-demand field. All are currently seniors at either Conard, Hall, or the REACH program, with some entering the workforce directly and others enrolling in trade schools or specialty schools such as the renowned Johnson & Wales culinary arts and hospitality program. The students plan to pursue careers in one of a number of “clusters” that include the fields of advanced manufacturing, supply chain and transportation, management and entrepreneurship, construction, hospitality and tourism, healthcare and human services, and public service and safety.

Superintendent of Schools Paul Vicinus said the students’ decisions to pursue skilled trades and other high-demand careers adds to, strengthens, and benefits the “vibrancy and vitality” of the overall community, and provides the students with “pathways to financial independence, pathways to mobility, … and pathways to pride and service.”

At Conard and Hall, every student’s journey is celebrated, he said, and the event shines a special spotlight on a group of students for their commitments.

West Hartford Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chris Conway noted that the chamber “does so much more than cut ribbons,” supporting businesses in many ways and also supporting educational opportunities. He praised the students for their decisions, and told them to “please stay” in West Hartford.

“We’re so happy to be here to create a pipeline,” supporting students who will be acquiring valuable and in-demand skills, said West Hartford Economic Development Coordinator Lauren Siegel, a Conard alum who recalled speaking at graduation as class president.

Although she started off going to college to pursue TV broadcasting, Siegel said her own career ultimately didn’t follow a traditional pathway because she left school after two years for an on-air position, and later pursued other job opportunities. Eventually she did earn her degree, she said, but “I ended up in the place where I used all of my  skills … and now I’m here today.”

Ryan Stabnick, one of the Conard seniors attending the signing day, spoke about how he has benefitted from the district’s School-to-Careers program. “Instead of hearing about how things work, I’ve gotten to figure out how things work,” he said. Stabnick is currently a volunteer firefighter in Newington, and plans to put his interests and skills to work by pursuing a career in the fire service. “Work-based learning helped me realize that,” he said.

Cohen shared that Stabnick reconfigured and modernized a CNC machine in the tech ed department, and then used his technical skills to help design as well as produce the plaques that were given to the signing day participants.

Cohen said there are now more than 50 students earning credit through the School-to-Careers Work-Based Learning opportunities, with many earning valuable exposure in preparation for pursuing “high wage and high demand opportunities.” [Editor’s note: We-Ha.com has been an active participant in the program, and currently has four interns enrolled in the program.]

Each of the SkillsUSA National Signing Day participants was recognized individually, and congratulated by Conard Principal Jocelyn Tamborello-Noble, Hall Principal Sarah Isaacs, Vicinus, other administrators from the high schools, Siegal, and Conway.

In addition, Cohen announced that thanks to a fund established by the former Elmwood Community Church, $2,000 scholarships were awarded to 11 students “to put together their career path.” The legacy donation, creating an endowment for a West Hartford Public Schools scholarship fund, was announced in January 2025, with $300,000 of funds remaining after the church’s dissolution and sale of their building.

Several former church members were in attendance to honor the students at what Cohen said was the first of what will be an annual scholarship awards presentation.

“This is the moment when passion meets purpose,” said Tamborello-Noble in her closing remarks. The students attending signing day are celebrating not just a decision, but a path for a successful future.

Culinary Arts students from Conard and Hall catered a breakfast for attendees.

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