It's been a goal of Post Falls High School senior and Kootenai Technical Education Campus diesel technology student Elery Sterling to serve in the military as a warrant officer and as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot.

Signing with the Army National Guard was an exhilarating moment for the soon-to-be military member.

“The best part was definitely taking the oath, just getting to stand in there after waiting years to do it,” she said. “I had a really big smile, and when I think of it, I smile a lot. A very happy moment to know that I get to do one of my dreams."

Although Sterling signed in November, she was with recruiters Wednesday as students participated in KTEC's signing day, during which they committed to various military branches, industry partners and colleges or universities.

“It’s exciting because we have students that have committed to a direction and we also have students that are going to college and going that direction,” said Kristin Parker, KTEC career and technical college adviser. “They’re also going to college for industry purposes.”

Lake City High School senior and KTEC welding student Acaja Scott signed up with the Marine Corps, also with her eyes on the skies.

“I really want to fly jets, the F-35, that’s the dream,” she said.

She said she chose the Marines as a way to push herself.

"I thought the Marine Corps was a great way to find that challenge,” she said. “The Marine Corps has more opportunities that I’m looking for.”

Post Falls High senior and KTEC construction student Jack Ross signed with the Army in April. He plans to be a cavalry scout.

“It was exciting because I’ve always wanted to do this,” Ross said. “My great-grandpa was in the Army, and I looked up to the dude.”

Another school that celebrated its seniors' departure to the world of higher education was Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, where 12th graders were enthusiastic to discuss where they will go after high school.

"I'm studying pre-veterinary medicine," said Charter senior Jessalynn Adams, who will attend the University of Idaho along with many of her classmates. "I'm hoping to go on to Washington State University and get my graduate."

She said she looks forward to starting a new chapter at the U of I.

"I'm sad this one's ending, but it's going to be exciting," Adams said. "My dad went there and I visited there a lot. It will be good."

She and classmates Emma Fisch and Alexa Sheppard have all been at Charter since sixth grade and became good friends through playing soccer.

Fisch will major in business and economics as well as Spanish. She said she is hoping to participate in an exchange program and spend time in Spain.

"I'm really not sure what I want to do in the future, but I'm really excited because I picked two majors that I'm really enthusiastic about," she said. "I never really knew what college I was going to until this year. At first I was a little skeptical, there's so many choices ... then I visited U of I and I was like, 'Wow, this has everything I want in a college.'"

Sheppard earned a scholarship and was recruited to play soccer for Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, this fall.

"It's one of the top schools in the country," she said. "It's in a beautiful place, very similar to here, but it's 3 miles from the beach."

Signing with Bowdoin came with a lot of emotions, she said.

"I'm terrified but also so excited and ready for it," Sheppard said.

    Drew Farrar, left, representing Coeur d'Alene Pediatrics, witnesses KTEC and Lake City High senior Riley Smalley sign on with the practice Wednesday during KTEC's signing day.
  

    Several Coeur d'Alene Charter seniors were awarded scholarships during Charter's Senior Signing Day. From left: Braiden Clayburn, Mountain America Credit Union; Laura Meine, Charter Parent Organization; Rylan Dixon; Stanley Luo; Henry DePew; Shaunessy Neirinckx; Hailie Velaso; and Carter Casidy; Idaho Central Credit Union. Front row: Angela Sullivan, Charter Parent Organization.