Eighty-eight members of the Perry High School Class of 2017 signed certificates at a lunchtime “College Day” ceremony Friday, indicating where they intend to continue their education, be it at a community college, a four-year school or in the military.
All students were able to eat lunch in the senior gym, where, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., approximately two-thirds on the Class of ’17 declared their post-prep plans. An additional 10-15 students were either absent or not able to attend, running the total number to near, if not over, 100.
“This is really tremendous, and is a considerable jump from even 10 years ago,” PHS Principal Dan Marburger told the students. “We used to have maybe 40 percent of our seniors going on to college, and now it will be in the mid-60s. You should all be proud of yourselves.”
Marburger noted that PHS asks students to give their best effort every day while being fully aware each class will have a wide range of talent and ability level.
“Give us your best, we say, and you have,” he added. “When I look out and see your faces and remember you as freshmen, then see how far you have come, it is very rewarding, and your own hard work is most of what has gotten you here.”
Counselor Anne Horgren helped organize the event. Numerous colleges and universities, along several branches of the military, had information tables set up and recruiting experts on hand to answer any questions and promote their school.
Each school had a representative take to the stage and speak briefly before introducing their incoming students, who walked onto the stage and signed a certificate declaring their selection. Students had been asked to wear the school colors of their choice, which almost all did.
Underclassmen ate at the rear of the gym as the A, B, and C scheduled lunches took their turns observing several of the signings. Several breaks were held, during which seniors visited, played cornhole or ring toss and posed repeatedly with friends and future college classmates for photos.
DMACC led the way with 37 students opting to become Bears.
“DMACC has really had a positive impact on our school,” Marburger said. “We now have kids taking classes and earning college credits while they are still in high school, and they (DMACC) have opened the door for a lot of kids who, in the past, probably would not have continued their education.”
Iowa State University had 17 signers, the University of Iowa seven and both the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa Central Community College six. Four students are on their way to Grand View University and two each to Hawkeye Community College, Indian Hills Community College and Simpson University, with two young ladies set to join the Iowa National Guard.
Three schools — Graceland University, Dordt College and the Art Academy of America (San Francisco) — each had one student declare.
“What we wanted to do was showcase all the students who are going on to college, and not just the athletes or those with big scholarships, but every one,” Marburger said. “We also wanted to have the underclassmen see this event and maybe get them thinking about whether they will want to further their education.”
“By no means are we saying those who are choosing to enter the work force do not deserve recognition, because they do,” he added. “This was just of way of showing how far we have come in having a growing number of Perry High School students choosing the college route and wanted to give them their own day, like the athletes get.”
The Perry High School Class of 2017 will officially graduate May 29.
