The class of 2025 came out in force today with more than 2,300 participants from every corner of the state traveling to Columbia for the fourth annual South Carolina College and Career Decision Day.
Mirrored after National Signing Day, the event recognizes and applauds students who are taking charge of their futures by committing to college or university enrollment, beginning a vocational or training program, joining the military, or entering the workforce.
“At College and Career Decision Day we celebrate the future,” said South Carolina Commission on Higher Education President and Executive Director Dr. Jeff Perez. “There’s no better place than the South Carolina State House to honor the hard work of our graduating seniors and recognize our duty to provide them with opportunities that match their greatest aspirations.”
The event began at Boyd Plaza at the Columbia Art Museum, and shortly after 10 a.m., the W.J. Keenan High School Marching Band led the students on the parade down Main Street to the State House. Student participation has more than doubled in size since the inaugural event in 2022, and this year’s parade stretched nearly the entire half mile route from Boyd Plaza to Gervais Street.
Representatives from more than 30 colleges and universities, along with representatives from the business community, state government, and armed forces set up informational booths for the seniors to visit. Co-emcees Whitney Sullivan, WLTX News 19 Columbia, and Mikel Hannah-Harding, WRDW News 12 Augusta, Ga., welcomed the participants at the State House and kept them energized throughout the program.
“I really enjoyed this experience,” said Jantz Bryant, a senior at Brookland Cayce High School. “And I thought it was nice to see students from different schools come out and have a nice time.”
Partners and sponsors for this year’s event include the South Carolina Department of Education, South Carolina Educational Television, the Carolinas Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers, University of South Carolina TRIO Upward Bound and Talent Search Programs, Made You Look Marketing, the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation, Sallie Mae, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, NYA Photo Booth, PepsiCo, Harman Ice and Alpha Media.
CHE organizers also offer a special thank you to the following: participating South Carolina colleges and universities, the Columbia High School Gospel Choir, W.J. Keenan High School Marching Band, Irmo High School Jr Air Force ROTC Color Guard, City of Columbia Police Department, the Columbia Museum of Art, City of Columbia Parking and the South Carolina State Fairgrounds.
