On Friday, over 600 high school seniors attended Camden Education Fund’s  third annual “College Signing Day,” which honors and celebrates all Camden City district, charter, and renaissance high school seniors who have committed to attending a college, university, trade or technical  program, or the military. 

Exuberant students at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood  held a pep rally, danced, performed, and won prizes like laptops and Airpods. 

Camden City Schools Superintendent Katrina McCombs told the students, “no matter what school you graduate from in Camden, you have an excellent future in front of you. We are one. When you get to college, let them know: I am from Camden.’”

Camden Education Fund Executive Director Giana Campbell told them they absolutely belong in college and they should “blaze your own paths” and “not settle for (just) a seat at the table when you can build your own.”

TAPinto relates student frustration with the U.S. Department of Education’s bungling of the FAFSA form, which controls student aid. One of CEF’s recent advocacy efforts was a partnership with New Jersey Children’s Foundation to launch a friendly competition between Newark and Camden students for which city had the highest completion rate for FAFSA forms. Due to delays in the processing of forms, a winner will be announced in June.

“As a proud Camden High School graduate, I’m excited to celebrate the next generation of  students committing to a successful future,” said Victor Carstarphen, Mayor, City of Camden.

Enjoy the photos!

Photos courtesy of Camden Education Fund.