Pleasant Valley High School held Decision Day 2022 last Thursday to spotlight students who are moving on to college, trade or technical school, as well as those who have decided to enter the military or workforce.

Brian Morgan, a guidance counselor at the high school, said the idea actually came from declaration of National College Signing Day started in 2015 by former first lady Michelle Obama.

“The former first lady continues to support this initiative to celebrate the college decisions from students,” he said.

Morgan wanted to take the idea a step further, so that is why he decided to include students going to technical and trade schools, the military and the workforce.

“Student athletes have a signing day when they agree to play a sport for a college. I wanted these kids to have one, too,” Morgan said.

This was the first time the high school has held the event, which was optional for the students to participate. Of the district’s 2022 graduates, 49 decided to share their future plans.

Those deciding to go to college include: Kate Lenway, Edward Lesnik, Isabella Vasquez, and Abigail Worden, all to East Stroudsburg University; Ellyot Castillo and Tori Vanderschans, Penn State University - Main Campus; Lela Lamp, Penn State - Berks; Damian Sopanski, Penn State - Lehigh; Donald Freeman, Jordan Kautzsch, Christopher Klinges, and Nyia Moon, all to West Chester University; Olivia Altman, Texas A&M University; Meghan Boyne, Coastal Carolina University; Gabriela Delgado, Lebanon Valley College, Austin Fahringer, Moravian University; Kailee Gentles, Rochester Institute of Technology; Autumn Johnson, Claflin University; Eve Kratzer, Dickinson College; Oliver Lampke, Marywood University; Aarieanna Lopez, Morgan State University; Anthony Matera, Lehigh University; Brielle McInaw, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Samantha Merklin, Mansfield University; Drew Morgan, Bloomsburg University; Ryan Morris, Kutztown University; Meghaben Patel, Rutgers University; Varchasvini Ramachandran, DeSales University; Ivan Righi, Northampton Community College; Lucas Rommel, University of New Haven; and Kaed Wills, Susquehanna University.

Students announcing their plans to go to trade school include: Oihana Marco, CY Tech; Trayton Perez, Triangle Tech; Hayle Stintsman, undeclared technical school; Brian Rogers, Pennsylvania College of Technology; and Kenneth Thomas, apprenticeship.

Those planning to enter the workforce or go into the military include: Dean Arthur, KCR Electric, Wyatt Charron, McDonalds; Bryan Dougherty, electrician; Joshua Gerhart, Affordable Comfort Contracting Inc., Kevin Johnson, Navy; Seth Mackes, Weis; Antonio Meli and Noah Meli, Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard and Winery; Addison Snyder, Underground by Journeys; Dominick Meli, Colton Oswald, William Sullivan and David Vargas, undeclared employer.

Six of the students spoke at the event. They thanked their parents and their teachers for all of their help. They also talked about their intended majors and why they are choosing that field.

Olivia Altman said her ultimate goal is to be a pediatric neurologist, because she knows what it is like to deal with neurological issues. She chose Texas A&M, because it’s a family favorite and her uncle used to run the biochemistry department. Eventually, she hopes to go to medical school there as well.

“I’m really excited to start a new chapter,” Altman said.

Nyia Moon and Drew Morgan also plan to enter the medical field. Both are interested in being neonatal intensive care unit nurses. Moon said there are several nurses in her family. Morgan chose the field because she has a cousin that was born premature due to a brain bleed.

“I chose Bloomsburg, because right now they are fourth in the state for nursing,” Morgan said.

Like Moon, Christopher Klinges is planning to attend West Chester University. He is going to study physical therapy.

Klinges said he chose that major because during his junior year, he suffered a hamstring injury.

“That basically ruined my entire season,” he said. Klinges competed in track and field. “I really want to help other people heal and feel better.”

Ellyot Castillo and Antony Matera plan to major in the sciences, as well, just not medically related. Castillo will be studying engineering at Penn State, and Matera is going for a dual major at Lehigh in computer science and business.

“I have nothing but thanks for all of my teachers who got me through the four years and beyond,” Matera said.