Woodstock Jewelry Students 1st In Nation To Earn Industry Certification

From the Cherokee County School District

Woodstock High School jewelry sales and jewelry production students have earned industry certification, the first students in the country to do so through a new program. 

Through the Diamond Council of America (DCA) program, the students were the first in the country to participate in the certification courses at the high school level.

 Twenty-two students in Cathy Roberts’ Marketing Principles classes earned Certifications in Beginning Jewelry Sales, with two students earning the Advanced Jewelry Sales Certification.  Fourteen students in Anne Berman’s art class earned their Certifications in Jewelry Production.  

Marketing students who received Beginning Jewelry Sales certifications are: John Allen, Kennedy Anderson, Payton Arringon, Michael Bosah, Jordan Brown, Ryan Brusie, Joe Burnett, Christin Endler, Damia Codie Evans, Jordan Franklin, Davis Jackson, Lauren Jensen, Katie Keefe, Reanna Kennedy, Sam Kroll, Jeremy Long, Patrick Nolen, Sydney Torres, Tinh Tran, Cody Urode, Grant Witten and Stefani Yates.  Jordan Brown and Cody Urode also earned the Advanced Jewelry Sales certification. 

Art students who received the Jewelry Production certifications are:  Sarah Sharp, Nickolette Calov, Hannah Ellis, Madison McCabe, Katie Eidson, Hannah Ayers, Ashleigh Casado, Sam Urbaniak, Zac Schwab, Katie Whitlow, Fernanda Colan, Tyler Cannida, Megan Whitlow and Rachel Hurley. 

Principal Dr. Paul Weir was instrumental in connecting the students with DCA to give them additional opportunities that could help them in future employment.  

“It's all about creating opportunities for kids and giving them marketable skills,” Dr. Weir said. 

To commemorate the students’ accomplishments, Terry Chandler, President and CEO of DCA, visited Woodstock HS to congratulate the students and to issue their official certificates.  

“I really enjoyed the DCA certification process,” said sophomore Sydney Torres, a sales certification recipient.  “It was a great learning experience that taught me so many different skills that will help me in a multitude of work environments now and in the future.” 

Junior Damia Codie Evans, who earned the sales certification, said she appreciates the opportunity to learn more about careers in jewelry. 

“I am more than thankful for being a part of the experience and what I have received from the Diamond Council of America,” she said.  “It’s not just a grade but the foundation to my future career goals.” 

DCA is an organization that provides training for professionals in the fine jewelry industry, with a focus of developing professionalism and to encourage interest among those who may be considering entering the industry.  While its certification training has traditionally been exclusive to those already employed by fine jewelry companies, DCA recently began an initiative to allow high school students the opportunity to participate in the program.