With the school year coming to an end, students begin to see seniors move on to their next stage in life. This was evident on May 1st when high school seniors all over the country participated in Decision Day. The successful event was put together with the help of many staff members, revealing to the school each of the seniors’ choices for the future.
This day was not only to show everyone what is in store for the seniors, but it is also to allow other students to see their options post-high school. This year, students are seen going into college, careers, the military, and more. Along with that, the seniors were celebrated for their successes.
The morning began with all of the high school students in the gym. Seniors sat in chairs in the front, while the others were seated in the bleachers. As the slideshow began, seniors’ faces were posted on the screen with their plans after high school. Their class song, See You Again by Wiz Khalifa, was plastered over it, creating bittersweet feelings amongst the crowd.
After the slideshow was completed, the students who were signing with a college for sports were applauded, as well as those joining military forces.
As the other students exited the gymnasium, the seniors were directed to the cafeteria to complete their decision day festivities. When they entered the cafeteria, they were greeted with a gift bag and donuts. As they sat at the tables conversing with one another and opening the presents, Mr. Renieche announced that he had something for them all.
Their freshman year, he had each of them write a letter to their future self. As he handed them out, emotions took over the seniors. There was laughter and some tears throughout the room as they read what their four-year-younger self had written down.
Once the excitement started to settle down, Mrs. Otto announced that they would be playing a trivia game of ten questions with a chance to win a gift card. The questions asked for information about their peers and the graduating class in general, giving them the chance to explore what they knew about each other.
Afterward, it was time for photos. Multiple groups of people gathered around the backdrop, holding props indicating what their future will hold; whether it be trade school, college, sports, careers, or the military. These different paths lead them each down a different road in life.
Of the many roads, college is a popular one. For someone planning on attending college, Paige Morris would be the person to talk to. She started working through the college application process during the summer before her senior year, but she feels that she should have started even sooner. She shares, “You should get started now, as juniors. Sign in to Common Apps. If you can have all of your essays done when school starts in the fall, it’s going to be so much nicer for you and way less stressful.” The reason that it is easier once the essays are done is that, for her, the writing was the most challenging part. She procrastinated on these essays a lot, making them difficult to complete. Morris adds that she wants juniors to know that after turning in college applications, they are not done. It is then time to fill out other things, such as grants and scholarships. Then, it comes time to decide on the college that the student will be attending. After all that work, students will realize it is a difficult but rewarding process. Like Morris explains, “You will go back and forth for months, but it is a huge relief once you are done. You may even be uncertain after choosing, like me, but that is okay.”
The other path some students took this year was the military. Serving the country is a difficult decision to make at such a young age, so these students deserve some appreciation. This year’s class will have Amira Vines, Isaiah Krieger, and Alekzander Warner entering. They all have decided to choose different branches, each making an important difference.
The last path seen by the Class of 2025 was going straight into the workforce. A couple of these students include Brendan Ackley, Clinton Chadwell, Mason Davis, Manix Furqueron, and Casey Lamb. This decision takes some thought, and it must be right for the person making it. Some things to consider are your financial situation, your interests, and your work experience
Congratulations to all of these students on making their decisions, and good luck with all of your future endeavors!
