The Dripping Springs ISD reports that more than 170 Dripping Springs High School students obtained a school-record 204 industry-based certifications through the school’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs in 2024.
Students earned certifications in a variety of career pathways including animal science, biotechnology, engineering, floral design, health science, real estate and welding.
Whether students are going on to college or straight into the workforce, these certification courses provide valuable technical, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills to help students build career portfolios and earn higher wages. These certifications introduce students to knowledge and skills that are foundational to future jobs and help set them apart from their peers.
Health science students led the way with 71 certifications earned including 28 certifications in the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) pathway. A record 47 students obtained an AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding certification while floral design students totaled 46 certifications.
In addition to the 204 industry-based certifications, 22 DSHS students were recognized in May for completing the Career Prep course, which provides students with paid business and industry employment experiences and prepares them with a variety of skills for a fastchanging workplace.
Animal Science
Elanco Fundamentals of Animal Science Certification Claire Bynum Arpen Grewal Camryn Gusella Megan Johnson Gabriella Rivera
Elanco Veterinary Medical Applications Certification Kellen Embrey Arpen Grewal Camryn Gusella Katie Hartman Claire Reilly Isabella Villas
NHJTCA Equine Management & Evaluation Certification Claire Bynum Sienna Gonczeruk Claire Reilly Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) Arpen Grewal Tessa Kaplan Abigail Storms
Biotechnology
Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE) Daniel Gambacorta Hannah Gilchrist
Business
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Alexander Angus Julianna Hunter
Engineering
Certified Solidworks Associate (CSWA) Keegan Ballard Owen Burgess Andres Chiang Jackson Craighead Jesse Crisman Nicholas Culbertson Isaiah Ellis Whittier Hassell Jonas Kidd Crispin Lovelace Peyton Migl Autumn Pape Thomas Rees Austin Rutherford Charles Snow Rhett Strauss Garret Swannack Samuel Timmins
Certified Solidworks Professional (CSWP) Cooper Lane
Floral Design
Texas State Florists Association Knowledge Based Floral Certification Faith Arland Cadence Blackmon Ainsley Burnett Lilian Burns Sophia Cipriano Julia Cordova Juarez Stephany Cordova Juarez Julia Craigg Emily Dickerson Kimberly Ericson Cora Freemyer Elodie Griffin Andie Kissinger Andrielle Lawrence Catherine Mansour Belen Meza Morgan Mitchell Emma Novelli Cora Schaeffer Willow Seligman Madeleine Sheppard Gwynna Swor Emma Syrdal Kylie Valencia
Texas State Florists Association Level 1 Certification Faith Arland Cadence Blackmon Ainsley Burnett Lilian Burns Sophia Cipriano Julia Cordova Juarez Julia Craigg Emily Dickerson Kimberly Ericson Cora Freemyer Elodie Griffin Andrielle Lawrence Catherine Mansour Belen Meza Morgan Mitchell Emma Novelli Cora Schaeffer Willow Seligman Madeleine Sheppard Gwynna Swor Emma Syrdal Kylie Valencia
Health Science
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Morgan Adams Makenzie Aeilts Giana Albini Luke Bohan Alexis Brasher Noah Chomout Emmie Conner Morgan Cooke Daryl Dean Tanner Dennis Caleb Evans Avery Friesenhahn Kenlea Hardin Theo Howard Avrey Keim Margaret Leontiev Emmerson Martinez Aiden McGillicuddy Shelby McIntyre Ryan Perry Yasmeen Saba Evelyn Smartt Mia Smith Brooke Thompson Avery Upchurch Jan Van Der Walt Julia Vollrath Madison Wingrin
Certified EKG Technician (CET) Evelynne Caldwell Emily Cluck Lucy Donahoe Gabriela Eckols Mack Emerson Samantha Garofolo Kirsten Garrett Hailee Hemphill Alex Jungerman Jordan Kuck Isaac Mackie Annalisa McComas Sophia Moreno Brooke Nurmi Elizabeth Pelham Lainey Pennock Lila Rentfro Maegan Rickard Cailyn Shealy Norene Villanueva
Certified Pharmacy Technician (EXCPT) Morgan Adams Ahlam Chabane Cosimo Crespi Gabriela Eckols Miyah McCartney Joshua Peters Alissa Short
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Presley Alford William Barry Mahlon Grove Megan Hancock Alex Hutchison Avrey Keim Ella Kuhn Kylee Landes Cooper Lane Eli Martinez Kaitlyn Milner Grace Richardson Gavin Richter Sara Rothermel Anneleise Snell Ava Zimmerman
Welding
AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding
JT Agee Yates Boatner Keegan Brown Grayson Buaas Paxton Burke Jordan Cook Antonio Cruz-Moores Nicholas Culbertson Cole Cullens Casey Daniels Holden Gaines Jaxel Gamez Ty Gibson Rhett Gray Ryan Hamm Benjamin Hampton Elias Hernandez Ryan Hill Levi Houston Joshua Howard Melissa Joost Daniel Krauss-Thompson Charles Latham Cash Lawrence Andrew Leibe Ariella Mann Mark McAfee Dallas McCormick Jose Mendez Saul Mendez Venegas Hunter Mitchell Matteo Naso Gavin Neyland Remington Nicholes Nathan Powers Millie Powers Luke Richert Shane Roberts Grant Rowell Connor Rowell Slade Scovil Oskar Silverman Samuel Stavros Keetyn Talbert Oliver Villas Charleston Weikert Johnathan White