Decision day for seniors goes virtual

road2college.com

road2college.com

Barbara Lunsford, Copy Editor

Even with quarantine keeping colleges and high schools across the country closed, seniors still have the opportunity to commit to their future plans. For the class of 2020, decision day, typically celebrated on May 1, is online. Current seniors have already started posting pictures modeling university spirit wear in an Internet celebration. 

The news of finally committing is an exciting moment for everyone. Athletes get to sign to ensure their continuation of a favorite hobby. Ambitious teens get to chase their dreams and choose a path that will cater to them. After hours of applications and years of hard work, the one winning path or university makes itself clear. The process makes senioritis and past grades of tough classes all feel more than worth it.

Now, athletes who have not yet signed are in a weird position. Some college coaches are doing virtual signings, sending the traditional paperwork to be signed, and scanned back over email. The ceremonious event that signings are is currently not an option and will have to wait until the future. For other undecided seniors, visits are just about impossible right now, making checking out new colleges is a real challenge. Universities all over have stepped up to provide virtual tours in an effort to appeal to those still deciding. However, none of this has stopped ambitious seniors from virtually committing to the futures they want.

With the choosing tradition transitioning to the Internet, schools are taking it into their own hands to provide a celebratory opportunity for their beloved senior class. Joliet West is one of these places. Counselor Lipke sent an email to seniors and senior parents on April 28 regarding these plans. The counselors would love for seniors to participate and send in a picture of them rocking their college, military, trade school gear, or work uniform. The images should be sent to the email address [email protected] and should include one’s plans for studying or employment. Emails should be sent no later than May 13.

Even with the Coronavirus, we can still unite as a class. The class of 2020 is strong. We have dreams that should be shared like every class. Though such will be shared in a unique way, it would be great to get as many seniors to participate as possible. Yes, the circumstances are not close to ideal, but we can rise and overcome these difficult times. 

To the class of 2020 – you are important. Let us all now go and pursue what drives us. The future is about following the dreams that dictate your mind at all times of the day. College is waiting and we still get to make the decision of where to go.