ORLANDO, Fla. – Dozens of Orlando high school students are celebrating their decision to attend college.
"It's so great that kids are going to college,” senior Aubren Ryles said. “A lot of kids don't get to go, so it's really inspiring to younger kids.”
Students walked into College Decision Day sporting their college on their shirts and showing school spirit.
College Decision Day is part of the city's efforts to provide opportunity for young people, help improve their academic success and reduce juvenile crime.
Mayor Buddy Dyer said this is a way to promote and further education.
"All these kids have been accepted to varieties of colleges, universities or U.S. military, so it's an exciting day," Dyer said.
Organizers said the city's youth program has helped 1,100 kids this year get into college and the military.
"(I’ve been) late-night studying, paying attention in class, taking notes and just applying myself all the time," student Roody Gouin said.
Organizer Lisa Early added that as a result of the college experience, "Your whole world grows. You see things from so many different perspectives and you really become who you end up being in your life."
One student even won a $1,000 scholarship.
"It was so unexpected,” Ryles said. “And I was like, ‘Aubren, you have to say something to thank them.’ I just tried my best to incorporate everyone in my scholarship. (I) gotta thank God for everything.”
College is a goal for many, and Gouin offered some advice for the next class of graduates.
"Even if you have all the skills and the ability, if you don't know what (school) you want to apply to, it means nothing,” Gouin said. “So know what you want and then go after it.”