Casco Bay High School seniors didn’t let frigid temperatures and a biting wind prevent them from participating in the school’s 13th annual “College March” on the afternoon of Dec. 12. The students paraded briskly down Congress Street to the downtown post office, where they mailed college applications or letters to a significant adult in their life who has supported their educational journey.

The CBHS annual "March to the Post Office" celebrates every senior completing at least one college application – and promotes the Portland Public Schools’ goal of graduating every student college-ready.

The approximately 100 students started at the Portland Museum of Art and ended at City Hall. They were accompanied by the school mascot, Freddy the Cougar, and cheered along the way by people on the sidewalks and also by Portland Public Library staff gathered on a library balcony.

At City Hall, the students were joined by the rest of the CBHS student body and recognized by school and city officials. Two senior speakers gave an address on behalf of the class, citing memorable moments that they and their class members had engaged over the years and thanking staff members and their families for helping them succeed.

Speakers included Superintendent Ryan Scallon; Mayor Mark Dion; Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools Abdullahi Ahmed; City Councilor April Fournier, who is a CBHS parent; and CBHS Principal Priya Natarajan.

Natarajan considers the march important because it’s “a public affirmation that the community values every student's goals and dreams.” Also, she says, it gives every student “the experience and opportunity of applying to college, no matter what their plans are after graduation.”

Last year, around 40 percent of CBHS seniors were the first in their families to attend college; many are from immigrant families. The College March is a powerful symbol of the idea that every student, regardless of background or circumstance, has the potential to thrive at a high-quality institution of higher learning.

Throughout CBHS’ 20-year history, about 98 percent of its students have been accepted to college. Last year, 99 percent of graduating seniors earned a college acceptance.

Other high schools throughout the country also hold a College March each year. Its roots date back to 2012 when seniors from New York City’s Outward Bound Schools’ network of public schools marched from their respective campuses to their local post office or mail truck to submit college applications. Students hoped to inspire others to persevere through challenges to succeed in college and beyond.

The march also has become an EL Education tradition. CBHS is a lead school within the EL Education network of more than 1,500 schools around the United States. EL Education is a leading K-12 nonprofit focused on raising student achievement across diverse schools and communities. 

CBHS is grateful to the University of Southern Maine, which sponsored the event again this year, and also to the United States Postal Service, for its continued support of this inspirational annual tradition.

Two TV stations were there on Dec. 12 to capture the action. Watch:

WGME, Channel 13, Dec. 12, 2025: Casco Bay High School seniors complete annual 'college march' to post office

WCSH-News Center Channel 6, Dec. 12, 2025: Portland students brave the cold in annual march to the post office