Decision Day honors students’ next steps

An editorial from the Monroe News -- May 6

          Hundreds of high school students walked across the stage at Monroe High School on Friday declaring their college or military branch of choice.

          It was the second Decision Day at the school, which is celebrated nationwide.

          To loud cheers and a few standing ovations from their peers, the Monroe students proudly declared and the signed “letters of intent” to the post-secondary option of their choice.  The signing was similar to how athletes declare the college they will attend.

          More than 100 high schools in Michigan participated in Decision Day, which truly was a celebration culminating students’ four years of hard work and dedication.

          Two years ago, Monroe High School placed an emphasis on creating a college-going culture.  During that time, the school atmosphere has changed.

          Students are pursuing dreams of going to top universities.  Jonathon Brown, a senior who was last to cross the stage, made it official he would be attending one of the nation’s top schools when he selected Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston.

          Next year, the school will have even more support for its students who want to pursue Ivy League schools.

          Recently, Monroe High and Gibraltar Schools’ Carlson High School were selected for the AdviseMI program, which places more college advisers in school buildings.  Sponsored by the Michigan College Access Network, the program places recent college graduates in the schools to assist students through the application and financial aid process.

          Monroe Principal Valerie Orr said recently she plans to use the adviser to work specifically with Ivy League schools.

          Good idea.  Every community needs highly skilled and well-educated students not only to pursue such dreams but to return and continue to build and improve that culture.

          Monroe County has struggled to improve its numbers when it comes to percentage of the population with degrees.  Currently, only about 10 percent hold bachelor’s degrees.

          Celebrating the choices these students have made about their futures is certainly one more way to put a spotlight on goals and achievement.  More schools should consider joining the celebration.