Class of 2026, graduation is approaching quickly, now only three months away. As the countdown continues, we get to see more in depth how prepared seniors really are for life after high school. Graduation can bring many different feelings and emotions all at once. Some are positive and exciting, while others can feel scary and even nerve-wracking at times. While we may not know exactly what will happen after high school, we can expect a lot of change.
Valeria Esparza, a current high school senior, mentioned that she feels super nervous about graduation because of all the changes that will come along with it at such a fast pace. For the most part, she feels pretty prepared for life after high school when it comes to education, but adult life? She’s not quite ready for that yet. After graduation, she is looking forward to “finding the coolest husband to build Legos with.” She also shared that most of the pressure about the next steps after graduation mainly comes from society rather than from family, friends, or teachers. Senior year has shaped Valeria’s life in a positive way, helping her realize that life is never that serious and that sometimes it’s best to take things lightly. The best advice she would give to current juniors is to start applying for scholarships as early as possible. Ultimately, when imagining what graduation day will be like, Valeria believes she will be a sobbing mess but also “hootin’ and hollerin’” at the same time, describing the feeling as completely sentimental.
Katelyn Graham, our high school’s valedictorian, says she feels both excited and nervous as graduation approaches. She is proud to see her years of hard work pay off, but also recognizes that graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter and the start of adulthood. While she feels prepared and confident in her ability to handle challenges after high school, she admits that leaving behind her friends and family is what makes her most nervous. Still, she believes their friendships will remain strong no matter the distance. Looking ahead, Katelyn is most excited to study biochemistry, deepen her Catholic faith, and get involved in new experiences. Senior year helped shape her perspective on the future, teaching her that she doesn’t need to rush through life and that time passes quickly. Her advice to next year’s seniors is to continue working hard in their studies, sports, and friendships, while also making sure to enjoy the time they have with the people around them. She imagines graduation day will be filled with a sense of accomplishment and excitement, but also sadness and tears, knowing it truly marks the end of an important chapter in life.
Lastly, Isabella Meeks says she is excited to graduate this year because she is ready to move on to the next chapter of her life and see where it will lead her. She feels fairly prepared and is looking forward to having more free time. However, she admits she is most nervous about going to college, being in a new environment, and meeting new people. Isabella also feels confident about making her own decisions and knows that her parents will always support her goals and future. Before senior year started, she said she hadn’t really thought much about her future and didn’t even know what she wanted to major in. As the year went on, she realized how quickly time passes and how important it is to start thinking about your future before it’s time to take the steps toward it. Her advice to juniors is to keep working hard, even during times when they feel unmotivated. Overall, when she thinks about graduation day, Isabella feels a mix of excitement and celebration for all the memories made, even though it will also be the last day many classmates may see each other.
