Boothbay Region High School celebrated Decision Day May 4. The day is inspired by National College Decision Day, which recognizes seniors who have put forth effort to get into the colleges they’ve been accepted to. This celebration gained momentum from National College Signing Day held by Michelle Obama through her campaign, Better Make Room, BRHS College and Career Access Coordinator Hannah Johnson said. The campaign focused on the achievements of first generation college students, but schools have morphed this celebration to congratulate all college attendees, Johnson said.

She explained why BRHS calls its event Decision Day: “At BRHS we do it a little differently. We want our accepted students to be able to shout it from the rooftops but we also want to give an opportunity to students who are doing things equally as important after they graduate. Some people are going right into the workforce and they have a really stable plan set up, so we celebrate their accomplishments and decisions as well.”

In the opening statement, Director of Guidance Leanne Burnham said, “Remember that we are rooting for you. And we are eager to see what the future holds for each and every one.”

The entire school was called to watch and parents were invited. Johnson said, “We want families to be able to celebrate with their kids but we also include the younger kids to help them see the end game, to help them start formulating their own dreams and aspirations earlier on in their high school careers by seeing our seniors get up and proudly say, ‘All this work has paid off, this is what I’m gonna go do! This is my adventure I’m embarking on.’”

Jaelyn Crocker will attend University of New England to study exercise science on a track to being a physical therapist. She wants to work in rehabilitation centers for the military. “I’m sentimental about graduating high school. I mean, my whole family is in this town and this school system. My dad is the assistant principal. My mom’s a second grade teacher. My aunt’s a first grade teacher and my niece is going into school next year. I don’t want to leave them all behind. I really love my family but I’m excited to start a new chapter in my life.”

Jesslyn Wilder will soon be getting her certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification through Bath Regional Career and Technical Center’s accelerated CNA program that lets students get their clinical hours and training during school hours. After working for a while, she plans to go to college to become a nurse. “I’m excited to start working, I really like helping people and it’s a very hands-on job where I actually get to see ... the effect I have on people. But I think the real world is going to hit pretty hard. At least it will be nice to not be in high school.”

Nace Lawless will attend Thomas College to study criminal justice to be a probation officer. “I want to help people get out of jail, get back on their feet, try to stay out of trouble so they don’t go back to what they were doing.”

Della Hahn and Grace Campbell’s plans were partly inspired by attending the Keller BLOOM program, a week-long, immersive research program held by Bigelow Laboratory on marine biology. Campbell will go to Stony Brook University in New York to study marine science. She sees herself as a marine scientist or engineer. Hahn will attend Sewanee University in Tennessee for environment and sustainability. “I hope to be a part of a bigger team to help combat our issue of the climate crisis and design new ways to accomplish the same goals, just in a more sustainable way. I spent a semester aboard the Harvey Gamage and was able to see first hand the pollution problem. There were all kinds of single-use plastics in the ocean that really sparked my want to be involved in the solution of that.”