Recognized worldwide on May 1 each year, National College Decision Day marks a pivotal time in each high school senior’s life: the announcement of where and what they choose to study next. This year, NC seniors celebrated their collective accolades through a series of enthusiastic events beginning the week of April 28, looking forward to their exhilarating graduation taking place May 22. As seniors move across county and state lines to follow their collegiate dreams, they pave the way for a new generation of seniors, continuing the legacy of NC.
“Senior week is just so important because seniors deserve that chance to get comfortable and sit for a second after so many times they rushed to finish a college application or that one assignment due. Seniors are always rushing and doing things, and it’s nice to finally get a break. They get to dress up, take pictures with their peers, eat at a senior breakfast and sign each other’s yearbooks,” magnet senior class vice president Kayden Williams said.
NC senior students commenced their week full of senior celebrations with myriad spirit days, including young and old costumes — a blast into the past and a flash into the future — as well as outfits that provide a look into students’ future careers. Suited in both nostalgic and hilarious outfits, seniors strutted the halls as a commemoration of their time spent in the school and their academic courses.
Additionally, Wednesday, April 30, National Honor Society (NHS) senior students engaged in a stole ceremony in preparation for graduation. Awarded white stoles with the NHS logo for their contribution to the community as well as commitment to the club, the night served as recognition for the plethora of awards and honors NHS seniors have received throughout their college application journey.
Thursday, May 1, in honor of National Commitment Day, senior students prepared to engage in the annual screen on the green football field event dressed in their respective future college merchandise. However, due to the NC varsity boys lacrosse team’s (15-2) advancements to playoffs, the event became rescheduled and combined with senior sunset taking place Monday, May 12. Instead, senior class president Isabella Alves, alongside Williams, organized a decision day celebration at 7:45 a.m. on the football field to allow students an opportunity to still celebrate the day. This commemoration included filming TikTok videos, taking pictures in college-committed shirts and final moments with friends.
“I decided that it would be so cool for all the seniors to come together one early morning on college decision day to take pictures and announce where they’re going — from Brown University to Kennesaw State University, it’s just so many different things and everyone’s going to go so many different places. I just wanted an event where everybody could take a photo to look back on and say, ‘I remember her’ or ‘I remember him.’ Sadly, people don’t see each other after high school, so I think it’s important that we make memories while we can and continue to flourish with each other and have others by our side,” Williams said.
Donned in commitment shirts as well as the famous golden crowns — paper crowns seniors receive each year to decorate according to their futures — senior students worked to create memories in the limited time remaining of the school year. Friday, May 2, senior students participated in the renowned senior breakfast during their second period class, prioritizing time for a delicious meal accompanied by first looks and signing of yearbooks as well as senior superlatives, and loads of pictures. Students additionally received senior letters: a collection of notes written by friends, family, past mentors and current teachers.
As seniors spend their final days leading up to their last official day of school, May 13, they take in the wonderful experiences NC introduced. From bonding with teachers to receiving prestigious awards, the class of 2025 seniors, working their way to their graduation and further to their futures, carry on the true spirit of the Warriors: inspiring excellence.
On another note, senior Copy Editor Callie Kinsinger would like to emphasize her thankfulness for the joy, tears, conquered fear of public speaking, and intense passion for writing due to The Chant. Throughout her four-year reign among the publication — the longest in The Chant’s history, might she add — Kinsinger has published countless articles, photos, interviews and investigatives. Each ounce of her dedicates her growth and accomplished future to The Chant, her fellow pub-office comrades, and her school-mom/advisor, Rebecca Zavala. She thanks all readers from the bottom of her heart.
