HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services hosted its inaugural College Signing Day for its college-bound youth in foster care on Wednesday, May 17.

College Signing Day celebrates high school seniors who commit to a four-year university, community college, vocational or technical school, or by joining the military. In partnership with MTV, Michelle Obama officially celebrated College Signing Day on May 5th at New York City’s Public Theater.

She welcomed schools and partners to host events nationally between mid-April and early June. During her time in the White House, Michelle Obama celebrated three annual College Signing Days in Texas (2014), Detroit (2015) and New York City (2016).

At HeartShare St. Vincent’s, high school seniors graduating this month mingled with staff, as well as Board and Junior Board members to learn more about the fields they were interested in, including law, medicine, public service, education and community outreach.

Seniors then were called up one by one to celebrate and announce their college of choice. Each student signed a certificate solidifying their commitment to the next step in their educational career and proudly put on some college swag — a baseball cap with their college logo. “I want to study neuroscience,” said Jason, who is headed to Kingsborough Community College in the Fall, one of the many ambitious American Dream scholars at the agency.

College Signing Day is a part of Michelle Obama’s Better Make Room, which empowers young people to prepare for their future. Better Make Room asks young men and women to take the necessary steps for college admission, including registering for the SAT and ACT exams, applying to at least 4 colleges, checking out options to help pay for their education and visiting a college campus. The campaign engages young people asking them to post selfies in college gear with hashtags #CollegeSigningDay, #BetterMakeRoom and #ReachHigher.

HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services currently has over 50 enrolled scholars in its signature American Dream Program and aims to double that number by 2020. The HSVS Pathway to College Program continues to grow, finding new ways and resources to reach high school students in foster care earlier and ensure they’re on the right track for college and vocational programs.