Seguin High seniors share plans at annual Decision Day

Seguin High seniors share plans at annual Decision Day Main Photo

1 May 2022


Seguin ISD, News

Dalondo Moultrie The Seguin Gazette

Ever since he was a kid, Seguin High School senior Michael Orichuela Jr. has had thoughts of one day growing up and becoming a federal law enforcement agent.

On Friday, he and scores of his classmates made some of the first steps toward turning their wishful thoughts into convictions. The group in front of a huge audience filled with friends, family and school staff declared their educational intentions after high school graduation.

“I want to become a police officer and then an FBI agent,” Orichuela said. “Ever since I was a kid, it’s always been my dream. I’m going to make it happen.”

He and fellow seniors participated Friday morning in the Seguin High School Class of 2022 Decision Day at the school’s Student Activity Center.

Orichuela announced to the crowd his intent to go to Sam Houston State University after graduation. He wasn’t alone.

Several other soon-to-be graduates also chose Sam Houston State, while others pledged to join various other universities, technical institutes, branches of the military and more.

Decision Day is an opportunity for graduates to officially announce and celebrate their plans after high school, according to a program pamphlet provided before the event. Friday’s event was the eighth Decision Day at Seguin High, Principal Hector Esquivel said.

Eight years ago when Esquivel became principal, he brought this program to the school because he said it is important to highlight students’ academic drive beyond high school.

Decision Day is like a host of huge high school pep rallies, which normally are held to signal upcoming events, he said. This sort of pep rally is used to honor the future accomplishments of 12th-grade students as they prepare to go off into the real world, Esquivel said.

It also provides a way of shining a light on academic achievement at the same level as many celebrate athletic accomplishments, he said.

“Academics need to be highlighted equally to athletics,” Esquivel said. “The main thing is to highlight their academics. I would call it one of the most important events for our seniors all year.”

Orichuela’s parents, Ruby and Michael Orichuela Sr., agreed.

They were on hand to root for their son as well as his classmates and friends. The parents are proud of young Michael’s success, Michael Sr. said.

“It’s a great accomplishment to get where he’s at; he’s top 10 of the school,” the elder Michael said. “We’re proud of him. He’s a great young man and he’s going far.”

Celebrating senior class members’ excellence is a goal of Decision Day, said Seguin ISD Superintendent Matthew Gutierrez, who attended the event.

The 2022 graduating class is one of the first to endure two of the most challenging academic years in the history of public education in this country, he said.

Seniors should take a second to pause and reflect on their journeys, Gutierrez said. It all combined to bring them to the point of going off to achieve more, he said.

“Class of 2022, I close with these words,” Gutierrez said. “Seniors, go forth and conquer. Your future is waiting and Seguin is watching. Make us Matador proud.”

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