First Flight High School seniors celebrate plans at Decision Day event

Published 7:52 am Thursday, May 11, 2023

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Friends Ellis Turnage, Dylan Rich, Austin Law, and Carlos Ulloa celebrate Decision Day at First Flight High School. Summer Stevens photo

Olivia Sugg is pursuing a nursing program at Clemson. Summer Stevens photo

Mackenzie Edwards chose a neuroscience major at Carolina. Summer Stevens photo

First Flight senior Dylan Rich is heading to Colorado College for a pre-med program. Summer Stevens photo

More than a dozen schools have been chosen by First Flight students for next year. Summer Stevens photo

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First Flight High School seniors celebrated their post-graduation plans at the Decision Day breakfast on April 27.

Nationally, students must declare what college they’re attending by May 1.

But Bryanna Ledbetter, FFHS college advisor, planned Decision Day to celebrate all student plans.

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“I’m so proud of these students,” she said. “We are here to celebrate whatever they are doing next.”

She estimates between a third to half of students are attending a four-year university, and almost as many are attending College of The Albemarle in the fall. The graduating class of FFHS received $1.5 million in scholarships and aid.

About 10-15% are entering the workforce right away, and four or five students are enlisting in the military.

The two-hour celebration was held in the cafeteria and featured brunch food items and drinks, giveaways and gift cards totaling $300, and speeches from school staff.

A photo op backdrop was available that looked like giant wings, made up of small slips of paper with each senior’s name and their school of choice or graduation plans written on them. Some of the schools listed were MIT, Clemson University, Georgetown, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Wilmington, UNC Charlotte, UNC Asheville, NC State, East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, James Madison University, Wake Forest University, University of Tennessee, Hampden-Sydney College, University of South Carolina, COA and Cape Fear Community College.

Stickers, bracelets and other school memorabilia spilled onto the tables for students to pick up and show their school spirit. Many wore t-shirts representing their future schools.

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