At the Park

Decision Day at Wheeling Park!

Leiahna (Lee) Fonner, Staff Writer

May 1, 2026

The counselors at Wheeling Park host activites to celebrate the next step for seniors whether it is education, enlistment, or employment.

National Decision Day is a day to appreciate the seniors graduating by allowing them to declare which college they decide to go to. National Decision Day is typically celebrated on May 1st. Thousands of schools nationwide celebrate this day and 70 schools in West Virginia as of last year.

Here at Wheeling Park High School, National Decision Day is very important to not only the seniors of Wheeling Park, but the staff as well. During all three lunches, there will be a photo booth in the Patriot Point. This gives seniors an opportunity to take photos with friends and teachers. This day is a way to appreciate and celebrate student achievements and strike excitement around the idea of the transition from high school to the next part in your life. It helps that transition become and remain positive and memorable.

“I have enjoyed celebrating Decision Day the past few years to honor and celebrate seniors post-secondary plans-whether that be college, trade school, the military, or workforce,” said school counselor, Jennifer Mathieu. “I believe it helps show underclassmen the excitement that surrounds graduation and embarking your future.”

Senior at Wheeling Park High School, Brian Gonzalez plans on going to WVU (West Virginia University) to study mechanical engineering after high school. He says that choosing WVU made the most sense both money wise and they have a good program for the career that he chose.

“Do as much as you can. I may have burnt out a little bit but doing as much as I did was definitely worth it,” said Gonzalez.

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About the Contributors

Leiahna (Lee) Fonner, Staff Writer

Leiahna is a freshman at Wheeling Park, and she is a new staff writer for the Park Press. You can also call her Lee. Leiahna enjoys hanging out with friends and listening to music in her free time. She has an eclectic taste in music but prefers rap and pop the most. Her favorite rapper is Nba Youngboy. When she was in 6th grade, she got put into a newspaper class at school, and she knew since then that she was interested in writing. Leiahna’s favorite restaurant is Chick-fil-a’ and her favorite snack is chocolate covered pretzels.

Kelsey Holeczy, Staff Writer

Kelsey Holeczy is a senior staff writer for the Park Press. She is never one to take no for an answer and always makes a point to keep a close watch on what’s happening around her. As a proud, involved community member of both Wheeling and Claysville, Kelsey is connected to countless individuals beyond just her immediate community. A proud documentary enthusiast, Kelsey can explain the most outlandish events with detail and vividness like you’d never imagined. Her insane obsession with any and all slightly interesting happenings fuels her storytelling and helps her take an approach to stories in a way you’ve never seen before. Whether she’s unraveling stories from the past or is covering current events, the documentary-obsessed side of her always shines through and makes every story memorable. Kelsey is the Secretary of the iconic Wheeling Park High School Speech and Debate Team and, with all the time and work she puts into her team, she is considered an unofficial coach. She has won countless trophies throughout the past two years she has spent on the team, her favorite being her first-place Original Oratory plaque from the 23’ Pine Richland Invitational, and is excited for what’s to come in her senior year. While she excels at interpretation events, her true expertise lies in writing and performing persuasive pieces. She is always eager to voice her opinion and encourage others to see things from a new angle.