This spring, the Delaware Area Career Center paused to celebrate something powerful: students committing to their future. During DACC’s Signing Days, seniors from across nearly every program stood before their classmates and DACC staff to publicly declare their plans after graduation.
Inspired by the energy of athletic signing days, High School Principal Mr. Buck Weaver created Signing Days at DACC to honor the many paths students take after graduation.
“These students are making real commitments to themselves, to their families, and to the futures they’re building,” Weaver shared during the ceremonies. “Success doesn’t look the same for every student, and that’s something worth celebrating.”
For many students, Signing Days marked the end of a journey that began without a clear plan.
Matthia Arena, a student in the Pharmacy Technician program, shared that she didn’t enroll at DACC knowing exactly what she wanted to do after high school. Through hands-on experiences and guidance from her instructor, Mrs. Lindsay Dement, she explored her options and discovered a path that felt right.
“I thought it was really great that DACC is recognizing what we’re all doing after high school,” Arena said. “I’m really grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve had here to explore different career options and figure out what I want to do next.”
Her mom, Nicole Arena, reflected on the impact of that journey.
“I’m incredibly proud of Matthia and how hard she’s worked,” she said. “DACC gave her the opportunity to find what she loves, and now she’s leaving high school confident, motivated, and excited about what’s next.”
In the Healthcare Technician program, every participating student announced plans to attend college, pursuing pathways in nursing, pre‑medicine, biomedical sciences, and other health‑related fields. In Construction Technology, students shared a wide range of plans, including college enrollment, immediate employment, entrepreneurship, and military service, demonstrating the flexibility and real-world readiness that career technical education provides.
Justin Silva, a senior in the Construction Technology program, announced plans to both enroll in college and remain employed in the construction field, showing how many DACC students move forward with more than one opportunity in hand.
Signing Days also highlighted advanced academic pathways. Sarah Scholl, a Medical Assisting student, announced plans to attend The Ohio State University to study biological sciences on a pre-med track. She has also been accepted into an early assurance program through the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, with the goal of becoming a physician.
In addition to recognizing students in each lab, DACC set aside time to honor those who committed to serving their country. Nolan Rovai, Javven Snyder, and Brayden Hall announced plans to enlist in the U.S. Army, with Staff Sergeant Cummins attending in person to honor their decision and underscore the importance of celebrating that commitment.
Across programs, students consistently thanked their instructors – not just for teaching technical skills, but for encouraging them, challenging them, and helping them see what was possible.
For staff, Signing Days was a reminder that the small, everyday moments, feedback, mentorship, and hands-on learning add up to something lasting.
For the Class of 2026, it was a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate what comes next with confidence, purpose, and pride.
Photo Credit: Mackenzie Taylor and Brian Padilla from the DACC Digital Design program.