CHESAPEAKE, Va. - In tonight’s Positively Hampton Roads, it's a different kind of signing day for students in Chesapeake. More than 80 high school seniors had their Signing Day for the careers they will begin after they graduate this month.
Students signed employment contracts to be 911 dispatchers, firefighters, healthcare providers, cosmetology specialists and take roles in many other career paths.
For one student, his signing day means becoming a Chesapeake firefighter.
"I applied to the Chesapeake Fire Department, and I got accepted into the academy," student Heinrich Vonschlichting said.
Vonschlichting is a senior at Grassfield High School and says he’s looking forward to serving his community.
"Helping the community and serving Chesapeake. I grew up here my whole life. I didn’t want to go to college and take the route that most kids take. I wanted to do something bigger than myself," Vonschlichting said.
His teacher says 300 students applied and four students were accepted into the fire academy, passing physical tests to get through the process. Their next step is to go through a seven-month fire academy and fire training.
"Throughout the region, locally, here I would say all fire departments right now are hurting for people," said Mark Moritz, a teacher at the Chesapeake Career Center.
Another student on their way to becoming a 911 dispatcher is eager to get to work.
"It feels amazing. I cannot wait to get into this profession," Jason Nienaber said.
Nienaber is a high school senior at Hickory High School who's graduating this month.
"What I love to do is work on computers and talk to people. That’s it - just combine the two," he said.
Students we spoke to say they are excited to start their careers.
Related: Chesapeake Career Center training next generation of 911 dispatchers
