Seniors filled the competition gym April 28 with excitement and relief as they enjoyed carnival festivities on College Decision Day.

The 5th period celebration featured snow cones from Kona Ice, an inflatable bouncy house and an inflatable jousting ring. Seniors supported their post, secondary plans via shirts and impromptu photoshoots throughout the school.

National College Decision Day, May 1, is a day when enrollment deposits are due for prospective college freshmen. Homewood takes the opportunity to make this time a special way to kick off a future full of exploration.

Tulane architecture hopeful Grace Johnson reflects on the fact that these events mark the end of a fruitful high school career.

“I’d say that the majority of the student body would agree these events have been fun,” Johnson said. “They definitely bring friends together.”

Despite early start times, these events prove to Johnson that there is inherent value in uniting the class of 2026 before graduation.

“I think [senior events] show the accomplishments of everyone throughout the year,” Johnson said. “Decision day showed that after all four years of high school, we finally made a decision to move on to the next big step of our life.”

Senior Jeaneya Andrews plans to study nursing at the University of South Alabama. She points out that this time of year can be overwhelming for students ready to start their next chapter.

“I’m just at the point where I’m done with school,” Andrews said. “I’m just waiting for graduation. I want my diploma.”

Seniors also enjoyed a PTO-sponsored breakfast from Chik-fil-a, complete with coffee and muffins, before starting the day. Andrews believes incentives like these are helpful for encouraging attendance during these special times.

“I’m the kind of person where you have to make it worth my while if I’m going out of my way,” Andrews said.

Seniors have their last day of school May 6, a week and a half before they walk the stage at Pete Hanna Center on May 16.