As the seniors walk into the main gym of Upper Campus and find their seats, they’re filled with a sense of accomplishment. Their years upon years of education have led up to this moment. They were once sophomores, then juniors, congratulating peers from the bleachers, and now it’s their turn to take the floor.
This past Friday, May 1, all of Upper Campus congregated in the main gym of MCHS to congratulate the 2026 seniors on all their commitments. National College Decision Day is the deadline for high school seniors in the U.S. to submit deposits and commit to a college for the upcoming fall semester. At MCHS, we uphold the annual tradition, and all the seniors take turns announcing and celebrating their next steps.
“Senior Decision Day is a powerful event that both celebrates senior actions as well as showcases to underclassmen many Next Step options,” College & Career Counselor, Curtis Menke says.
Seniors get excited to represent their schools and post online for their friends and family to see. Decision day highlights everyone’s steps and doesn’t elevate one over the other.
“I love the Decision Day as a whole,” senior Ava Bodinus says, “getting to see my classmates, the people I’ve gone to school with for nearly 12 years, move on to their next life adventures is bittersweet, but I’m happy.”
The event is special at MCHS, as it’s a culmination of hard work as well as the efforts and stressors our seniors endured to get to this moment.
“Finally getting to be the ones on the big screen makes everything feel like it was worth it,” Senior Kenzie Grieve says. “I’m excited for everyone.”
Being called out by name and being able to get their one last moment of recognition in high school before graduation is something the seniors value most.
“When you stand up as your name is called, it solidifies and validates your efforts,” senior Krystian Pilarski says. “It’s just really nice.”
No matter how close or how far the 2026 seniors go, MCHS is proud.
Menke says, “I’m just as proud of the student going to MCC to be an HVAC technician as I am of the student going to an Ivy League school.”
As the underclassmen leave, the seniors follow. They clear out of the gym and head back to class, but now they all know things are finally official. Every one of them has a big future full of new adventures set out for them.