As the 2025-2026 school year quickly comes to a close, seniors are forced to make many decisions regarding their futures – one of the most important being which college (if any) they choose to attend next fall. In Wilsonville, a vast majority of students tend to go to University of Oregon or Oregon State, as both colleges offer that sought after in-state tuition and are located nearby. However, some students choose to go farther for college, choose a community college, a trade, or go straight to work after graduation. 

Friday, May 1st 2026 marked national Decision Day, where seniors across the country must finally decide their school plans. It is often this date that universities require students to commit and pay their initial deposit, securing a spot at their chosen school. After months of endless college applications, FAFSA deadlines, and the seemingly inevitable contraction of ‘senioritis’, decision day helps ease some of the uncertainty senior year tends to be filled with. To commemorate this next step, Wilsonville High School held a celebration before first period in the Pointe. Students were asked to wear their chosen school’s merch to announce their next steps to their teachers and peers. There were tables set up, filled with college merch and decorations for students to take. Additionally, a raffle was held with various prize items, there was a photo-taking station, and donuts were provided. 

Decision day is one of the last senior-centered events the school throws every year, followed subsequently by prom, senior sunset, the senior barbecue, and lastly, graduation. These events are crucial final bonding opportunities for the senior class, opportunities to unite the cliques high school tend to be filled with. As students have shared the last four years together, events such as decision day provide a reason to finally break the barriers between peers.