ECHS To Participate In National College Signing Day: You Can, Too

By Fallon Willoughby, Kentucky College Coach, ECHS​
Signing Day – April 26th 2016
 It cannot be emphasized enough how important education after high school is. Although there are many paths to a successful career, according to Georgetown’s Center on Education and Workforce, college graduates will make 84% more over their lifetimes than high school graduates. Education teaches great skills, tools, critical thinking, and broadens the mind. It is a chance to pursue new opportunities, make new friends, study across the globe, and learn more than ever.  Yet still, many are choosing not to go to college.  America once had the highest number of college graduates in the world and we can again by supporting our students to reach higher, sharing their stories and inspiring them.
 
REACH HIGHER + BETTER MAKE ROOM
 
Reach Higher is an initiative from First Lady Michelle Obama, providing encouragement and to help students see college as an option, whether that is at a 4 year college, a community college, a technical school, or a training program. It centers on four pieces: “college affordability, exposing students to college, academic and summer planning, and supporting school counselors.”
 
Better Make Room is a campaign supporting Reach Higher, giving young people  the chance to declare their college choice, to commit, and to engage with others doing so. It gives them the opportunity in their own words to express their choice and why they are making it.  It says to the world, “These young people are about to do something great. We Better Make Room.”
 
We want this day to feel as exciting as it is important. Making this choice is a huge step for each student’s future.  And so Signing Day has been created.  It is a chance to celebrate students for committing. Edmonson County High School will be participating in this event.  We are encouraging students, faculty and staff to wear their college gear on April 26th 2016.  There will be a photo booth for pictures during lunch and possibly other activities. This is our chance for Edmonson County to rally around our local students and show our support.
 
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
• Local businesses can show support to college efforts by offering incentives to students that commit to higher education and displaying a Signing Day poster to promote the event.
• Share your activities with the media and your social networks with #CollegeSigningDay, #ReachHigher and #BetterMakeRoom.
• Parents and families can join the fun by taking pictures with their students, everyone in college gear, and sharing across social media.
 
If you would like to participate, donate, or join in the fun, please just contact me at fallon.willoughby@edmonson.kyschools.us or 270-597-2151.