WHITTIER – Hundreds of Whittier Union High School District students will take their first steps toward the next chapter of their academic futures during College Signing Day ceremonies.

The District’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) National Demonstration Schools, Pioneer and Santa Fe high schools, Whittier High School, a Highly Certified AVID site, and California High School will hold ceremonies for seniors who will signal their intent to attend such universities as UCLA and UC Berkeley.

AVID is a college-readiness system designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges. Seniors will be celebrated during the rallies for their commitment to continuing their education at a four-year university, community college, the military or vocational school, inspiring crowds of underclassmen to work toward similar goals.

Pioneer High School will hold its celebration starting at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 in the student quad. Students will walk a green carpet holding posters with the names of the colleges they will attend.

Whittier High School will hold its rally at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, during which seniors will be invited to sign a large poster that reads “I’m going to college, but I will always be a Cardinal” and declare the college of their choice. A Senior Convention in which students going to four-year universities will be invited to take group photos will take place before the lunch rally.

California High School will hold a Decision Day celebration at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1. Students will share their post-secondary college/career plans on posters that will be on display in the small quad. There will be music, photo booths and giveaways for students.

Santa Fe High School will hold its event at noon Wednesday, May 2. Students will be invited to sign a poster proclaiming their intent to attend college.