In what has become a yearly tradition, Ector County ISD’s five high schools are filling the area near their entrances with signs showing where their seniors are going.
The custom started about three years ago during the COVID closures. The signs show names of colleges, universities, tech schools and military, along with certifications.
At Permian High School Friday, College and Career Advisor Jennifer Perkins said there were probably over 200 signs being planted.
“I just had to order some new stakes because we’ve ordered 47 new ones …,” Perkins said.
She said 732 seniors are projected to graduate.
“I think it’s good for our younger kids, our freshman (and) sophomores to see this as it’s creating a culture for college and careers. This isn’t all just college. Our kids work hard throughout their four years to get certifications like cosmetology, welding, EMT, firefighting. So I think it just gives them some exposure to the possibility. That way when they’re seniors, this is something they can look forward to,” Perkins said.
“… Kids are now starting to look forward to seeing them up every year …,” she added.
Perkins said it’s interesting to see all the different schools students are planning to attend across the country.
She added that a lot of students are going to school in New Mexico and many of the top 10 are going to Texas A&M University.
The valedictorian, Swetha Kesavan, is going to Rice University.
“We’ve had a lot more applicants to UTPB this year. We’ve got a good 126 of those students going to UTPB …,” Perkins said.
She added that UTPB’s Falcon Free program has enticed a lot of students.
The Falcon Free Program will cover tuition and mandatory fees (up to 15 credit hours for the fall and spring semesters only) for first-time, degree-seeking undergraduate Texas residents that have a family adjusted gross income that does not exceed $100,000, and who are enrolled full time (12 hours or more each semester). This opportunity is provided until funding is exhausted, UTPB’s website said.
“… Last year, I think we only had 86 applicants. They probably had half of those go, but they’ve got 126 confirmed. It’s really over half of our scholarships, so it’s a really great thing for UTPB,” Perkins said.
Isabella Garza, 17, is No. 7 in her class. She said she got in to five or six schools and hasn’t decided which one she’s going to.
“I just think that’s a great way for us be recognized as seniors and it just gives us the opportunity to fully embrace, where we’re going to college and let everyone know. I think it’s just a good transition and it’s a way to brag about it a little bit,” Garza said.
Salutatorian Jonathan Martinez, 18, said it was a great feeling to know that they had finally made it and accomplished everything they had worked for throughout high school.
“My top two were UT and Texas A&M, so it wasn’t difficult. It was a two-month process, but I finally narrowed it down to A&M,” Martinez said.
