Goldsboro High School conducts 'signing day'
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 20, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Deja Broadhurst, right, a senior at Goldsboro High School, is congratulated by Gena Hackett, a GHS teacher who studied at Campbell University, after Miss Broadhurst signed a letter of intent to attend the institution after graduation.
Goldsboro High School counselor Jason Willoughby wanted to generate student interest in planning for the future, so he took a page from what is often done for athletes who receive college scholarships.
Traditionally, once a standout player is wooed by a college, he or she signs a letter of intent, demonstrating a commitment to attend the school.
Why not do something similar to get students applying to college, Willoughby thought.
"College Signing Day" was introduced last year, starting with about 50 students participating.
"It's all based on them providing the school with an acceptance letter," Willoughby said. "They have to have applied to a school and been accepted. They'll bring that in to me, I'll make a copy. We post it in the hall to display their achievement."
The effort quickly gained momentum, he said.
"It started to increase the enthusiasm and excitement about going to college or making post-secondary plans," he said. "We're not just recognizing colleges. Post-secondary plans can be community college, a university or military installation."
The counseling staff decided to continue the idea again this year, which Willoughby said has created quite a buzz as students receive recognition at the school.
"I have them to bring in an acceptance letter. We make an announcement and then if they get scholarships, so they hear something (on the announcements) every day," he explained. "It started in August as soon as school started. We actually had our first person apply in July. She brought the acceptance letter the first week of school.
"That's the benefit of applying early."
The numbers continued to build among the 108 seniors at the school, with 71 participating in the recent College Signing Day.
Twenty-five colleges and two branches of the military were represented at a special ceremony, attended by parents and the student body.
Center stage in the auditorium was a wooden table surrounded by chairs. As each college or university was announced, a representative took to the stage, with the school's logo projected onto a screen. Students accepted to that institution joined the representative and signed on the dotted line, making their intention to attend college official.
The ceremony represented an all-around win, Willoughby said.
"I think it encourages that sense of accomplishment (for students)," he said. "They have done something. They're accepted. They have options. They have valid options for the future. They're not going to be just here in Goldsboro and not able to do things they want to do.
"I think they feel that they have really accomplished something great, graduating from high school an going to college. Some of them, they're the first one in their families to go to college."
Parents have also expressed gratitude, he said. And the colleges included in the process have also taken an avid interest.
"Every school I have talked to think it's a great idea," he said. "They say other schools in the state should do it because it really does boost confidence, morale and excitement and anything they can do to help the kids be successful, they're willing to do it."
Deja Broadhurst, awaiting her chance to sign the letter of intent to attend Campbell University, was beyond ready.
"It means a lot. I have been waiting for this day since I was little," she said. "I'm the youngest in my family so it's a big deal."
The youngest of six children has two siblings already in college. Campbell was her choice because of its program that allows her to graduate in five years with a bachelor's and master's degrees, giving her a jump start on becoming an accountant.
"I have been ready for a long time," she said of her higher education opportunity.
Kierra Crawford signed her letter of intent to attend the Art Institute of Charlotte, chosen for its "really good fashion program."
Thankful she was accepted, she is still pursuing other options, including N.C. Central University, where her older sister is a junior, and even the National Guard.
"It's really exciting because like participating in this today, it really helps me understand that graduation is really close," she said.
Addressing the audience as the ceremony began, Principal Brian Weeks praised the seniors' willingness to take the first step toward success.
"At the beginning of last year, we came across an idea for a College Signing Day, often used for athletes only," he said. "Athletes seem to get a great deal of attention for signing up to a college but when we have a group of students that work for it at least 12 years, 13 years, and the time and effort that they put in actually surpasses that that an athlete puts in, we want to recognize those students."