By: Isaiah S. Showell, Follow South Jersey Multimedia Journalist/’What’s Good’ Host
MAYS LANDING, N.J. — Janine Edmonds, Guidance Counselor at Oakcrest High School hosted a college signing day. This event celebrates seniors for committing to a 2- or 4-year institution. They took pictures, ate food, and brought out a red carpet to highlight the seniors.
“College signing day started a few years ago through First Lady Michelle Obama so we can celebrate students going on to post-secondary education,” said Edmonds. “I changed it to celebrate careers as well and students going into the military.”
James Reina, superintendent of the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District also came by to join in the effort to celebrate the students.
“We’ve got a lot of kids who really have faced challenges getting to this point,” Reina said. “A day like today is us saying congrats and wishing them the best of luck.”
Josiah Casanova is on his way to Seminal College for two years then finishing at the University of Central Florida majoring in Aerospace Engineering, following his passion he’s had for engineering since he was in middle school. Leilanie Jogno is studying molecular cellular development biology at Yale University. Growing up, her aunt struggled with epilepsy and caring for her made Jogno passionate about her academic concentration.
Pleasantville High School also held a signing day. Amon Stanley committed to William Patterson, Javier Garcia committed to Castleton University, and Elijah Jones committed to East Carolina University. Elijah Jones has a basketball scholarship to ECU and is moving on to campus by the end of the week.
“I’m grateful for the support of family members and loved ones,” Jones said. “I’m excited to see what’s next.” Elijah had mentors Ray Bethea and Elias Thomas come to support him as well as family members and friends to wish him well and send him off.
To all the seniors from Oakcrest High School and Pleasantville High School, you guys are definitely what’s good in South Jersey! Congratulations.
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