Written by Emily Slukova Palma
The final year of high school is supposed to be a memorable experience for seniors filled with endless traditional activities. One of the most popular traditions celebrated across high schools is the Senior Academic Signing Day. On this day, high school seniors are recognized for their academic achievement by signing symbolic letters of acceptance to their future schools, or for many, their dream universities.
However, this year, the Senior Academic Signing Day was approached with a twist due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus. At MAST@FIU; the class of 2020 celebrated this significant day virtually through a Zoom video call. Although it wasn’t the usual way to commemorate this day, the entirety of the senior class and the administration were able to make it just as special.
Senior students pictured during the montage at Academic Signing Day.
This year the Senior Academic Signing took place on Thursday, May 21st, at 7 o’clock pm. Once the video call began, the entire senior class joined along with their parents and the school’s administrative team. The ceremony started with the introduction of the class of 2020 board members. Each board member shared a few words of sentiment beginning with class sponsor Ms.West, followed by president Angelina Pozo-Marrero, treasurer Kaylah McNamee, SGA president Angel Aguilar, and SGA secretary Samiyah Lawrence. Then, one of the graduating seniors, Elizabeth Feldman, read a heart-touching speech she titled “What I Wouldn’t Give”, which described all the things she wished she could have been able to experience once again when she used to go to school.
Senior students pictured during the montage at Academic Signing Day.
Once the introductory part of the ceremony finished, slides designed by the seniors were presented which featured their name, the college they will be attending, and their academic achievements throughout high school. Many of the graduates decided to stay in-state and attend prestigious universities like Florida International University, University of Florida, and the University of Miami. Meanwhile, other students chose the path to attend well-known universities outside of the state, including the University of Connecticut, Howard University in Washington DC, and the University of California in Los Angeles. Throughout the slideshow, each senior’s special moment was celebrated as the parents, teachers, and their fellow peers emotionally applauded and cheered on each graduate. The event truly represented the significance of the day and was able to recognize each senior moving onto the next big stage in their life.
Slideshow of students Shai Lin, Elizabeth Feldman, and Angel Aguilar at Academic Signing Day.
Finally, the seniors all gathered together on the screen, took their pen, and signed away their academic futures on the certificate! At the end of the ceremony, the principal, Dr. Welker, shared a moving message with the students and then showed the four memorable years the seniors had spent together throughout high school in a montage that was created for them. Overall, the tradition was carried on and was able to commemorate each graduate as they had deserved, despite the atypical circumstances this year.
The class of 2020 holding up their signed certificates to their future colleges.
Comentarios