A sea of maroon and gold is a normal sight at Arizona State University — on Thursday, that sea spread to high school campuses across the Phoenix metro area as the ASU bus rolled out to welcome future Sun Devils to the ASU family.
“Being the only university in the Phoenix metropolitan area, we want to be embedded in our community and we want to celebrate all these young people starting their future at ASU,” said Brad Baertsch, director of freshman recruitment and admission.
Baertsch was one of the many ASU staff members and faculty along for the ride, congratulating students on their new adventure. For a second year in a row, ASU celebrated College Signing Day by visiting Valley high schools. The Future Sun Devil team will stop at six high schools over the course of Thursday and Friday. Combined, approximately 600 students from these high schools have been admitted to ASU.
Other students can see their friends celebrating going to college and see it as a possible path for them after high school, Baertsch added.
Student support specialist Rebecca Folk from Barrett, The Honors College at the Polytechnic campus said that being part of the event was really meaningful.
“This is the end of their high school career, but it’s also a starting point for the rest of their lives. It really means a lot for me to actually put faces to the names and welcome them to the next chapter,” she said.
The university will continue to celebrate Future Sun Devil Day through May 1. Admitted students can go online, sign the pledge and show their Future Sun Devil pride on social media.
ASU Now was along for the ride as Sparky and the team surprised high school seniors getting ready to become college freshmen.
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Students from Metro Tech High School in Phoenix hold signs showing their college choice in front of the ASU bus Thursday morning. These future Sun Devils have committed to attending Arizona State University in the upcoming fall semester, and the visit was part of the celebration of College Signing Day.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Obama scholar Jennifer Salguero Martinez is all smiles as she makes her way into the College Signing Day festivities at Metro Tech High School on Thursday.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Jose Ramirez poses with his mother, Maria, for a photo with Sparky at Metro Tech.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Metro Tech High School seniors give a cheer for their future at ASU on Thursday morning.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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At Tolleson Union High School, Cristal Zambrano high-fives Sparky during signing day on Thursday.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Andrea Nanez, a future nursing student, smiles during a photo with Sparky.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Friends (from left) Tae Burgess, Kamari Talley and Morgan Jones pose for a selfie at Tolleson Union High School on Thursday morning.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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The Future Sun Devil crew shoots confetti onto the Tolleson Union High School seniors who commited to ASU.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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At ASU Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, Atahualpa Guevara and other incoming Sun Devils head to the College Signing Day fun on Thursday.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Jacqueline Camara signs her name to a pledge to become a future Sun Devil at ASU Prep on Thursday.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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ASU Prep senior Daniel Flores takes the leap and commits to ASU.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Graduating ASU Prep seniors who are committing to ASU take a group photo with Sparky.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Angelica Marquez sports a tiny graduation cap during College Signing Day at ASU Prep.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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Sparky and the Future Sun Devils team will visit three more Phoenix area high schools on Friday to welcome soon-to-be graduates into the ASU family.
Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Top photo: Graduating seniors pose for a photo with Sparky during College Signing Day at ASU Prep in Phoenix on Thursday. These future Sun Devils have committed to attending Arizona State University in the fall of 2017. Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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