DeKalb Tech Senior Receives $5,000 Scholarship from The Home Depot

DeKalb High School of Technology North and SkillsUSA celebrated graduating senior, Kalya Eades, on her scholarship from The Home Depot during SkillsUSA’s National Signing Day on May 4.

Eades, a student at DeKalb Early College Academy, was awarded a $5,000 scholarship from The Home Depot after writing an essay about her passion for the construction industry. SkillsUSA’s National Signing Day recognizes career and technical students for their dedication to career readiness and their commitment to their future career plans.

Eades has been in the SkillsUSA program at DeKalb High School of Technology-North for over a year studying construction. DeKalb High School of Technology-North focuses on providing high school students with technical and soft skills training needed to be productive and successful citizens upon graduation. Her interest in construction began after searching for a career path.

“I was kind of confused on what I wanted to do, so I went into the construction path so that I could learn more about it,” she said. “One of the most challenging things [about construction] is the math can get a little bit complicated. But, it’s interesting to see how the dimensions and everything comes together overtime in the creation. That’s what I enjoy about it—creating things.”

Eades plans to attend Kennesaw State to major in finance, and then work her way into the construction field.

“With this amazing scholarship that I have received, I am one step closer to achieving my goals while receiving a financially stress-free education,” she said.

DeKalb High School of Technology North SkillsUSA adviser, Calvin Gray, said Eades is the student that every teacher dreams of having.

“When I met Kalya, I told her, ‘I want you to be a leader.’ She has excelled in everything we brought to her,” Gray said. “She not only motivates, she encourages. She doesn’t get too fast, she stays with the class, she doesn’t try to be uppity, she puts herself last.”

During the signing day ceremony, Eades also received a book bag and other gifts from The Home Depot and Klein Tools to assist with preparation for school and her career journey.

SkillsUSA is a nonprofit partnership of education and industry, founded in 1965 to strengthen the nation’s skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps students develop necessary personal and workplace skills along with technical skills grounded in academics. To learn more about SkillsUSA, visit www.skillsusa.org.