D.C. College Signing Day Celebrates University-Bound

Education secretary was among those congratulating D.C. students on commitment to higher education.

May 2, 2016

Sakiya Walker announced that she will attend GW. (William Atkins/GW Today)

Sakiya Walker will attend GW on a Stephen Joel Trachtenberg scholarship. (William Atkins/GW Today)

 

By Ruth Steinhardt

As they crossed the stage, the seniors hoisted college banners, posters and scarves. One broke into a brief impromptu touchdown dance. Another paused to snap a selfie, the crowd whooping behind her.

Though they were not graduating, hundreds of Washington, D.C., high school seniors marked an important rite of educational passage Friday morning: the second annual D.C. College Signing Day.

With their mentors and families, students from three dozen local schools crowded into the George Washington University’s Charles E. Smith Center to announce their commitments to colleges across the nation.

“At GW, it’s our goal to help every student in our nation’s capital see college as an option,” George Washington President Steven Knapp told the lively audience. “College is an important foundation for your future and for the future of our nation.”

The vibe was more pep rally than pomp and circumstance. Emceed by radio host Angie Ange of WKYS 93.9, the event featured a student fashion show and performances by the marching band of National Collegiate Prep and by a step team from the University of the District of Columbia. The Colonial Brass warmed up the crowd with hits from Disney favorites to Earth, Wind and Fire.

First Lady Michelle Obama, whose “Reach High” initiative includes College Signing Day, made a video appearance. So did local rapper Wale.

“This is a big deal, and you did it,” Mrs. Obama said. “Remember, your journey is just beginning. I don’t want you to stop until you get that college diploma.”

Several local and national education officials spoke, including Hanseul Kang, D.C.’s state superintendent of education, and Jennifer Niles, deputy mayor for education.

U.S. Education Secretary John B. King Jr. took the stage in a maroon Harvard sweatshirt.

“The president of the United States is proud of you,” he told students.

Swinging on crutches, Sakiya Walker couldn’t make it up the stairs to the stage. She had to stand in front of it instead. When she took the microphone to confirm that she would attend George Washington, her classmates from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts exploded in cheers.

Ms. Walker was one of eight students at Signing Day who announced a commitment to attend GW.

Jamal Holtz, a senior at Friendship Collegiate, will attend the University of Rochester. But for Mr. Holtz, born and raised in D.C.’s Ward 8, the ultimate ambition does not lie in upstate New York.

“My goal is to come back and invest in my community,” he said.