LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Noisemakers, balloons and cupcakes from Crazy Quilt Farms were all part of the celebration on Feb. 10 as the first class of high school students in the nation became Lake County Certified Tourism Ambassadors, or CTAs.

Tina Scott, the new career technical education, food service, and hospitality teacher at Clear Lake High School and a Certified Tourism Ambassador, added the CTA Certification Training into her curriculum.

The certification class taught students Lake County history and facts, itinerary building for Lake County visitors, and customer service skills.

All of this will serve students well as they begin to develop resumes and complete college and job applications.

Volunteering at CTA or other community events, proudly wearing their CTA Star lapel pins, will connect the new student CTAs to business leaders and potential employers.

Their training and volunteer work will set them apart from others, while reinforcing the pride for the place they call home.

Certified Tourism Ambassadors Michele Carson — who also is chair of the CTA Program — along with Jacie and Joe Casteel, Helen Finch and Holly Hansen along with Clear Lake High School Principal Micahel Arredondo and Assistant Principal Liesl Hendrix joined Mrs. Scott in celebrating the students on this great achievement.

Carson presented each student with a CTA Certificate and a CTA Star lapel pin.

Congratulations to Sophya, Madison, Madysin, Nikki, Sophie, Sophia, Enrique, Gabrielle, Adrian, Jules and Cassidy on completing their training and passing their certification exams.

They will represent Lake County well.

The next CTA Certification Class will be held on Saturday, April 15, at 9 a.m. at Lake Event Design in Lakeport. To register, go to www.ctanetwork.com and click on “proceed to activate your account.”

For more information, please contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit www.Facebook.com/Groups/LakeCountyCTA.