Last Thursday, May 4, 2017, Naugatuck High School celebrated National Decision Day. The class of 2017 were encouraged to wear the college/university they will be attending this coming fall. Seniors were also encouraged to represent any other plans, such as joining the workforce or the military. Seniors wrote down their plans on the wall to display their decisions.

This day is a day for the class of 2017 to show pride in their decisions and come together to celebrate one of the many last “hoorahs” they will have.

National Decision Day is an event sponsored by the National College Advising Corps to celebrate the success of high school seniors in pursuing post-secondary education. Typically, National Decision day is on May 1st, but was held on May 4th, keeping it in the same week. The counseling department hosted this event at the high school to celebrate their students’ accomplishments and the new journey that lies ahead.

Mr. Matthew Rosen, the class of 2017’s class counselor, was out in front of guidance all day helping these seniors in a proud fashion as his students prepare to leave.

 “I feel proud and then sad, just because I’ve gotten to know a lot of you very well over the last four years. I kind of almost feel like a parent with all these mixed emotions, but I am really looking forward to seeing you guys graduate and go on to your next step and seeing what you guys do in college,” he stated, when asked about his emotions on this day.

Later, when Rosen was asked about advice he would give to the seniors, he said, “My best piece of advice for seniors is, college is really about the experience. What you put into college is what you get out of it. If you just go through the motions and go to class doing what you’re supposed to do, it will be okay. But, if you join clubs and make lots of friends and get involved, you’re going to have such an amazing time and make your four years so much better.”   

Mr. Rosen has counseled these once freshmen to become determined young adults ready to enter the next chapters in their lives.

For example, Robert Spino will be attending Iona College in New York.

“I chose Iona because I really wanted to get out of Connecticut and they offered a great education program. I also feel like a small school was more of a fit for me,” Spino said.

“Don’t procrastinate with work. Get everything done as soon as you can because it really does go a long way,” he also said as advice for lower classmen.

Another student who plans to leave Connecticut is Devon Curtis, who will be attending Bentley University in Massachusetts, where he will study Actuarial Science.

“I chose Bentley based on the program itself, and the environment,” Curtis stated.

Matt Triscritti will be attending Providence College in Rhode Island and will be majoring in business economics. Triscritti feels that his ample selection of electives have helped prepare him for college.

PJ Morrissey will be attending Harvard University this fall.

“I picked Harvard just because it’s always been my dream school and so many fantastic opportunities are available there. Naugy has really prepared me to go to Harvard next year, and the classes have challenged me,” Morrissey stated.

However, there are many students that are planning to stay in Connecticut, going on to great schools. Many have chosen the University of Connecticut.

Addison Best, will be attending UConn and is really excited to get there in the fall. Addison stated that she chose to go to UConn because of how big the school is and of the amazing job opportunities she will have from Uconn.

David Ruela will also, be attending the University of Connecticut this coming fall.

“Naugatuck High School has prepared me for the work load, the teachers have been really nice and given me a lot of guidance,” Ruela said.

Tyler Suarez chose to attend the University of Bridgeport he chose to go to this school because of the distance. “It’s not too far away. I have a little brother so I wanted to be there for him” Suarez stated.

Something that Naugatuck High School has taught Tyler is, “If you want to change something, do it. Being a student at this school has showed me that ” Tyler had come up with a policy that enforced the code black drill. “Naugatuck High School has prepared me for that” Suarez said.

National Decision Day, is the a day where all of Naugy High seniors can celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to the next chapters in their life. June is very close!