On Monday, May 19, MACES held its first-ever school wide College Signing Day, a new tradition celebrating all seniors pursuing higher education, whether through universities, community colleges, trade programs, or the United States Armed Forces. Inspired by athletic signings, the event emphasized that every post-secondary commitment matters.
The MACES Signing Day follows a national movement championed by former First Lady Michelle Obama, whose goal was to “shine a big, bright light on… academic achievement too,” according to the Obama White House Archives website.
The event is organized by the College Ambassadors program under intern counselor Antonio Guereca. Although Guereca was absent due to his own graduation from Loyola Marymount University, student leaders Estrella Flores and Britzari Arguelles stepped in.
“Britzari and Estrella really stepped up,” Guereca said. “They made sure everyone knew what was expected.”
Planning the event presented challenges. “We didn’t have our advisors,” Flores said, explaining how she and Arguelles had to coordinate with counselors and lead the effort. The team created shared Google Docs, assigned roles, mapped out the event stations, and created group chats to stay connected.
“We had multiple different documents,” Flores said, listing materials, layouts and station descriptions. During AP testing, they borrowed the Parent Center to plan and worked closely with staff members including Ms. Montenegro, Ms. Ostos and Ms. Picasso.
Promotion included Instagram posts, Schoology messages and word-of-mouth. Still, the leaders admitted more lead time would have helped. “We only gave students a one-weekend notice,” Arguelles said.
She also noted that the flyer design could have been clearer. “We should’ve been more direct,” Arguelles said, referring to instructions like wearing college merch or attending specific stations.
Despite the short notice, student participation was strong. “Most rewarding part was seeing people excited,” Arguelles said. “They would yell out as loud as they could.”
Seniors arrived in college gear, walked the stage and were applauded by peers and staff. Even those heading to local colleges received cheers and recognition.
“Even when that ELAC slide came on, everyone still cheered,” Guereca said. The response, he added, showed that students “felt seen” and celebrated regardless of where they’re going.
“The feeling was high energy,” said Adriana Ostos, a college counselor at MACES. She added that the audience “felt acknowledged [and] validated” throughout the event.
According to Guereca, MACES already had a foundation for student ambassador work. “We’ve always had an ambassador program,” Ostos said. “It’s usually led by the [interns.]”
She noted that Guereca brought strong experience to MACES, having led similar programs at Pio Pico Middle School and West Adams High School. “It may not be exactly the same,” Ostos said, “but the structure is going to be the same.”
Guereca plans to open applications for next year’s College Ambassadors soon. “There will be an application process,” he said, adding that seniors will interview juniors and train them over the summer. “We can show them the ropes,” he said.
Flores hopes the program becomes more focused. “We need a smaller group of committed students,” she said. “That’s how a club like this thrives.”
Arguelles agreed. “It shows someone’s determination,” she said.
Both seniors believe the Signing Day should become a MACES tradition. “One hundred percent yes,” Arguelles said. “People felt accomplished, celebrated, included and that feeling should stop with the class of 2025.”
Flores said the team will soon start looking for new leaders. “We plan to release applications this school year,” she said, aiming to give next year’s team a head start.
As MACES continues building this tradition, the first Signing Day proved what students can achieve, and that every future deserves to be celebrated.
