The question many seniors ask themselves is “Am I ready to graduate?” Some answer back with “OH YEAH,” others answer with “I’m not sure.”
While graduation day seems far off as the first quarter of the school year comes to a close, many driven seniors are already hard at work to prepare for their next step. Several have already gotten those college acceptance letters and are focusing on their scholarship searches.
“I’m very excited to graduate and take the next steps into independence but I’m also very scared to be put into a new environment and be away from the people I know because I’ve been here and around everyone for so long. I’m especially going to miss family and friends. But, I am hopeful and very excited for what is to come in my future!” senior Serenity Miller said.
Many students plan on attending college after high school to continue their education.
“I plan to attend Mizzou and follow a pre-med path in hopes to make it into med school where I eventually want to become an orthopedic surgeon,” senior Ayden Burdick said.
“I plan to attend UCM on my athletic scholarship while playing softball and studying Early Childhood education or Marketing,” senior Tanna Howe said.
The stress of filling out applications is catching on to some of the seniors, but they take comfort in knowing they have a backup plan.
“I am stressed about my college applications, but I know either way I have a fallback plan and can easily go to State Fair CC totally free,” senior Naomi Yoder said. Yoder was recently accepted at Southwest Baptist University.
Some students think back on their past future plans and realize how their passions haven’t changed.
“I’ve had this plan for as long as I can remember, since I was little I’ve always wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon and Mizzou has just always made sense for me,” Burdick said.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing college softball so I knew I wanted to go to college ever since I was little,” Howe said.
A few students have taken a breath, as they’ve already received acceptance letters.
“I’ve been accepted to Mizzou, Missouri State, and Drury University,” Burdick said.
While many students don’t care about the distance, some are coming to the realization that they’re meant to be closer to home.
“The only part that has maybe ‘changed’ for me is maybe the distance. I always thought I wanted to go to a decently far college from Warsaw. But the older I got, I realized how important my family is, and how easily homesick I naturally get. So, I knew for my best interest that I wanted to be at least a couple hours away from home. At the end of the day, God had a plan for me and it all worked out in the most perfect way that He planned,” Howe said.
Seniors are excited to graduate, but are making the most of what time they have left.
“Yes, I want to take in the last moments with my friends and make the most memories, but I’m definitely ready and excited to start this new chapter,” Howe said.
“I feel that I’m ready to graduate, however I’m not done with high school as a whole as I still have so much to look forward to this year,” Burdick said.
Many students are most looking forward to being done with school, but some are enjoying their lasts and ready for their next step in life.
“As I get closer to graduation, I look most forward to moving onto my next stage in life. Competing in collegiate track is what I look forward to the most,” Yoder said.
“I am most looking forward to making my last memories in high school with all of my friends before we go away for college. I want it to be something I can look back on fondly and be something to celebrate,” Miller said.
