By Madeline Otten
Correspondent
For some Fluvanna County residents, May 1 is the beginning of a new month with warmer weather, while for others it begins the countdown to summer vacation. For Fluvanna County High School (FCHS) seniors, and seniors all around the world, it marked a day for a final decision about their next adventure after high school.
Decision Day is a celebratory event sponsored by the National College Advising Corps (NCAC), which was founded at the University of Virginia. Now the organization and event is nationally recognized. The goal of Decision Day is to recognize not only those who are planning on going to college, but rather all high school seniors for their post-graduation plans.
At the end of the school day Wednesday (May 1), 165 seniors gathered on the football field to celebrate FCHS’s 10thannual Decision Day with food, refreshments, music and fun activities. Students enjoyed a bounce house, a Velcro wall, a two-person bungee run, and an inflatable basketball game. Signs containing college names, military branches, and workforce occupations were hung on the fence around the field to showcase the students’ next steps in their journey.
“I love being back here working with students who were eighth graders when I was a senior,” said Haden Parrish, FCHS’s college advisor. “I love working with my former teachers and administrators. It’s been such a rewarding experience to be able to come back to the community that raised me and give a little bit back.”
While most of the planning and execution came together last month, it was a year-long project for Parrish. VCAC gives each advisor a budget at the beginning of the year to use on various supplies and projects. Parrish was fortunate to receive about equal funding from both VCAC and FCHS this year, and also benefitted from a lot of community donations. VCAC also gives Decision Day shirts to students to wear to the event.
In previous years, students would gather for a celebration in the high school cafeteria with cake and other refreshments, but this year Parrish wanted to make it a special event.
“I think this year definitely looked different than it has in the past. There was a lot of student and administrative support to make the event a little bigger,” said Parrish. “I want to thank everyone that helped me with this event, from the administration, to teachers, to my parents.”
Some in the FCHS class of 2019 are choosing to go to an institution of higher education for the purpose of furthering their education, while others are going to college to pursue their love of sports and have signed to play at the college level. Some are joining a branch of military while others are entering the workforce.
“It’s over the top just to see them make a decision that’s going to change their life,” said Principal Margo Bruce. “Whether it’s college, work or the military, I’m just excited for them and I’m happy to be able to help them celebrate.”
Virginia’s secretary of education, Atif Qarni, was there to congratulate students on their success and inquire about their plans and experiences in high school. Before being appointed as secretary of education, Qarni taught courses in civics, economics, U.S. history and mathematics at Beville Middle School in Prince William County.
This year’s graduating class will travel as far as 2,174 miles away from Fluvanna to the University of Arizona, with Utah State University coming in second at 2,118 miles away. Piedmont Virginia Community College received the highest matriculation rate from FCHS with upwards of 70 students attending, and the leading four-year school is Radford with 10 Flucos. These numbers may change due to financial aid packages and waitlist decisions.
Parrish is already setting goals for next year’s Decision Day. He hopes to complete the tie-dye shirts before the event to cut down on the lines at the station and give the students the opportunity to wear the shirts to the actual event. He also wants to have a station for students who make their decisions at the last minute.
“I am so proud of my seniors for going out into the adult world to start or continue their jobs, in joining the Armed Forces or attending an institution of higher education,” said Parrish. “I was in their position only five years ago, but their resiliency and passion continue to impress and inspire me.”
