AATA’s Annual Graduation Field Day

Every July, the African American Trade Association caps off its six-week summer program with a celebration honoring the student graduates. This year, 30 high schoolers from the Denver Public Schools system received certificates and credentials from AATA, marking the culmination of hard work, hands-on learning, and personal growth. Following the graduation ceremony, the community came together for an annual Field Day with activities related to their summer learning, including drone demonstrations, solar house builds, and green energy showcases.

With family, friends, and community members cheering on the graduates and exploring the exhibits, the event was a joyful reminder of what’s possible when young people are given the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to discover new career paths. The event gathered more than 100 people.

“This occasion is meaningful to all of us, but especially the students, because it’s an opportunity for them to be celebrated for their accomplishments,” says AATA executive director, Terri Jackson. “Their friends and family members get to see them on stage being recognized, and then they get to join in on the celebration at their side.”

What’s next for AATA summer program graduates varies. High school juniors and seniors who participated in the summer program are headed back to classes at their DPS schools this fall, while older students will continue along their AATA program paths. These programs include certifications in health care, construction & infrastructure, and renewable energy. 

“This is a real moment in time for the students,” Jackson says. “We love this event because we see the students’ confidence in bloom. We see them thinking about their careers, ready and prepared to go forward and take the next step in their life with agency. That’s really spectacular.”