Smiles were everywhere and pictures were being snapped at a furious pace as the Perry High School Class of 2018 made public their post-graduation intentions.
A total of 12 different colleges and universities had representatives on hand, as did several branches of the United States Armed Forces as students gathered in the PHS gym beginning at 11 a.m.
As the freshman, sophomore and junior classes rotated through the gym and ate their lunch at the rear, they were able to watch their friends step onto a makeshift stage and show what the next step of their lives would entail.
Not all students will choose to attend a two or four-year school or the military and choose either to enter the work force or a trade school, and PHS principal Dan Marburger said those students were to be saluted as well.
Six soon-to-be graduates have chosen to serve the nation in the military, with two joining the National Guard and two the Navy while the Air Force and Marine Corps will each receive one PHS grad.
DMACC was, by a wide margin, the most popular choice among the seniors. Last year 37 students declared themselves Bears-to-be, with that number growing to 45 Friday.
Iowa State University was the second-most popular choice, with 20 students donning the Cardinal and Gold, while the University of Iowa attracted eight students and the University of Northern Iowa six.
Five students declared for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, with Loras College and Grandview University each having three students step onto the stage. Two students apiece announced for Northwest Missouri State University, Wartburg College, Hawkeye Community College and Mercy College of Health Sciences. Six other students will be attending a variety of schools out of state.
Most seniors wore their new school colors and happily posed for photos with classmates and friends. Games and activities were also held between the departure and arrival of the lower grades, so that each group of seniors would have an audience of younger students observe their choices.
The Perry High School Class of 2018 will graduate May 27.
