Chatter filled the Black Box Friday as Foothill freshman made “a commitment to graduate.”

“I’m excited,” Walker Cogswell said.

The students walked through the commitment ceremony today in FIRE groups.

Each group took a picture in front of an enlarged diploma, signed a graduation gown, and received an otter pop on their way back to class.

“I was confused, but I liked signing the thing,” Katrina Hayek said.

Ryan Duston, a biology teacher at Foothill, organized the event as a Renaissance incentive for freshman who are not allowed to enter the program until second semester.

“We don’t have a problem with graduation at our school, but we wanted a Freshman Renaissance,” Duston said.

He attended a nationwide Renaissance convention this summer where a major goal is to increase graduation rates across the country.

“This is a good reminder for these guys,” Duston said.

In addition to Friday’s event, each month freshman will receive additional Renaissance incentives in the classroom.

Photo Credit: Bethany Fankhauser, Hannah Padaoan, Felicia Perez, Chrissy Springer and Aysen Tan for The Foothill Dragon Press.