Before graduation caps fly across the stage, several Garland ISD students already have internships, career opportunities, and college pathways waiting for them.

At the Gilbreath-Reed Career and Technical Center (GRCTC) Signing Day, students celebrated the next chapter in fields ranging from automotive technology to veterinary medicine and healthcare. The event showcased how the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs prepare students for life after graduation through hands-on learning, industry certifications, internships, and workforce experience.

While CTE courses are available at every Garland ISD high school and open to all students, the GRCTC offers additional specialized programs at a centralized campus designed to expand career-training opportunities across the district.

View additional GRCTC Signing Day photos.

For four students, Signing Day reflected years of preparation, skill-building, and experiences that had already opened doors to future careers.

Lauren Van Wyk - Local Pet Hospital

For Sachse High School senior Lauren Van Wyk, the journey toward veterinary medicine started years ago during a fifth-grade field trip to the GRCTC.

She remembers seeing the veterinary program and thinking, “No matter what, I’m going to get into this program.”

Years later, she did exactly that.

After two years in the Veterinary Assistant program, Lauren secured an internship with North 78 Pet Hospital and plans to attend Texas A&M University this fall to study biomedical sciences before pursuing veterinary school.

Through the GRCTC, Lauren gained hands-on experience working with animals ranging from dogs and cats to exotic species while learning skills many students do not encounter until college.

“A lot of the things that we learn in class we apply directly to our clinic,” she explained. “I learned how to restrain animals, draw blood, and run tests. Every single thing that I learned in class, I directly apply to my work.”

Lauren says the program helped prepare her for internships, workplace settings, and the next step in her education.

“If I didn’t have this program, I would have struggled to even find an internship, let alone know everything that I know already going into college,” she said.

Looking back, Lauren encourages younger students to explore the opportunities available through the GRCTC.

“It’s impossible not to fall in love with something,” she said. “If you feel even a remote connection to anything they teach here, sign up for it.”

An Nguyen - Ford

North Garland High School senior An Nguyen discovered his interest in engines at 14 years old after getting his first dirt bike.

With no one around to teach him how to repair it, he learned on his own.

“That’s really what got me into working on my own stuff and learning how to figure things out,” An said.

That passion eventually led him to the Outdoor Power program at the GRCTC, where he gained experience working on everything from lawn equipment and side-by-sides to motorcycles and automotive electronics.

The program also connected him with industry professionals and introduced him to real-world work environments.

After participating in a dealership-sponsored competition at Texas Motor Speedway, An built relationships with professionals at a Ford dealership and later reached back out to pursue an opportunity through the Ford ASSET program in partnership with Dallas College.

Just weeks after graduation, he will begin working while attending college and training in the automotive field.

“It feels so relieving just knowing that I’m going to have a job,” An said.

An says the GRCTC strengthened both his technical abilities and workplace skills through competitions, interview preparation, and hands-on training.

“Most people don’t get real-world dealership experience,” he said. “You learn how to work with a team, communicate, and do interviews.”

He also credits his instructor and the relationships built through the program for helping students connect with future employers.

“Being able to work hands-on is completely different than a classroom,” An said.

Yasmeen Hjaz - Walgreens or CVS

For Naaman Forest High School student Yasmeen Hjaz, the Pharmacy Technician program at the GRCTC created a pathway into the healthcare field while she was still in high school.

After hearing about the field from a friend already working in a pharmacy setting, Yasmeen enrolled in the program and quickly realized the level of preparation required.

“Probably memorizing 200 medications,” she said with a laugh when asked about the most challenging part of the program.

Despite the challenge, Yasmeen completed certification coursework and plans to begin working at either CVS or Walgreens immediately after graduation while continuing her college education.

The program gave her hands-on experience with the terminology, procedures, and expectations used in pharmacy settings.

“If a pharmacy tech is talking to me, I’m able to understand what they’re saying now,” Yasmeen explained.

She also says the GRCTC helped prepare her for life after graduation through communication training, resume-building, and practical learning experiences.

“We get to use syringes and learn real skills,” she said.

Graduating early while preparing to enter the healthcare workforce added to the accomplishment.

For students considering the program, Yasmeen encourages them to stay committed from the beginning.

“You actually have to start working and memorizing from day one,” she said. “But it’s worth it.”

Daniel Guevara - Toyota

Sachse High School senior Daniel Guevara has always enjoyed working with cars.

“I love being outside, getting my hands dirty, tearing things apart, and putting them back together,” he said.

At the GRCTC, Daniel found a pathway that matched those interests through the Outdoor Power program. What started as a passion quickly became a career pathway.

Through the program’s partnership with Toyota, Daniel completed 19 Toyota certifications, more than double the expected amount, helping him stand out to employers.

Toyota Richardson took notice.

After interviews and certification training, Daniel officially signed with Toyota Richardson and will begin working shortly after graduation.

“The more certifications you have, the more valuable you are to a company,” Daniel said.

Along with technical training, Daniel says the GRCTC prepared him for workplace expectations through communication training, resume writing, and training in punctuality and professionalism.

“We learn both hard skills and soft skills,” he explained. “You learn how to communicate with employers and customers, how to write resumes, and how to carry yourself professionally.”

Daniel says the experience gave him a strong advantage entering the workforce.

“All I hear right now is how hard it is to find a job,” he said. “To already have a company accept me and give me an opportunity feels really great.”

As he prepares to begin his career with Toyota, Daniel hopes younger students take advantage of the opportunities available through the GRCTC.

“Nothing changes if you change nothing,” he said. “You have to have the drive to learn and commit to it.”

Through the GRCTC, Garland ISD students are building technical knowledge, workplace experience, and workplace confidence that prepares them to step directly into college programs and careers after graduation.

For Lauren, An, Yasmeen, and Daniel, Signing Day highlighted how CTE programs across Garland ISD help students turn personal interests into meaningful opportunities.

The district also congratulates the many other GRCTC students recognized during Signing Day as they prepare to continue their education, enter the workforce, and pursue careers across a variety of industries.

CTE Signees

Junior Almanza
Jadein Banks
Stephanie Barron
David Capetillo Hernández
Sidney Carriere III
Aiden Drayton-Jamieson
Daniel Guevara
Syed Hasan
Yasmeen Hjaz
Alondra Jiménez Blanco
Michael Kaprinay
Hoang Luong
Landyn Macabare-Smith
Cade McCay
Ian Morgan
Anh Quoc Ngo
An Minh Nguyen
Daniel Pina
Abigail Raji
Kaeden Robinson
David Rodriguez
Per Soe
Hunter Swenson
Diego Tijerina
Ryleigh-Ann Tindor
Jordan Valenzuela
Lauren Van Wyk

Acknowledgments

Baylor Scott & White
Bottomless Promotion
Care n Cure Dental
Dallas College
Dallas Nephrology Associates
Ford
GISD
Gulf State Toyota
Navarro College
North 78 Pet Hospital
Ouachita Baptist University
Project Garland
Texas State Technical College
The Vet
Thrust Institute of Maintenance
United States Army
University of North Texas
University of Texas
Walgreens
Wyotech