Decision Day 2023 Gathering and the Big Reveal

Class of 2023 Decision Day was observed at Huntington High School on Tuesday as seniors gathered for an early morning series of photographs inside Blue Devil Stadium. Bright blue skies and balmy temperatures greeted the crowd as it made its way to its seats.

The big event saw seniors and faculty members wearing college, university, military and career apparel as they celebrated the Class of 2023 and its future plans.

Huntington seniors are headed to dozens of colleges and technical and career schools. Many are directly entering the workforce while still others have decided to serve their country in a branch of the military.

As has so often been the case over the past four years, Mr. Blue Devil was also in attendance in his slick and colorful attire. He bobbed and weaved while climbing up the bleacher stairs, waving to his classmates as he took his place atop the teenagers on a platform alongside the stadium’s press box.

Huntington alum Darin Reed, a local professional photographer, was on hand to snap photos of the occasion. The sun was bright and it was in the eyes of those gathered in the bleachers, but no one seemed to really mind as no complaints were heard.

The event was coordinated by Jeannette Alomia, district director of guidance and testing, K-12. She encouraged fellow faculty members to wear apparel in the name and colors of their college alma mater.

“We are proud to launch a new Blue Devil tradition to celebrate the graduating Class of 2023,” Ms. Alomia said. “We wish our seniors much success as they embark on a new chapter as adults. I look forward to seeing our students and their families at the commencement ceremony.”

Once the photo-taking was complete inside the stadium, Mr. Reed announced it was time for the Big Reveal. After all these years of welcoming Mr. Blue Devil to events big and small, the Class of 2023 would finally come to learn who was inside that snazzy costume.

Well, Mr. Blue Devil is a rather private person and he waved off the suggestion of divulging his identity. Finally, he relented. As he struggled to remove the large headpiece, seniors offered up dozens of guesses on who the person was all these years.

Well, who was it? None other than Huntington UFSD Superintendent James W. Polansky! He waved to the seniors and enjoyed a good laugh with them on this special day at Huntington High School.