Graduation. 

It’s a word that students hear all throughout school, but one that seems made up. It’s promised year after year, pushed away because it feels so out of reach – constantly being reached for. 

It’s a word that becomes very real, very fast. Suddenly, adulthood is approaching, barreling forward. Some students know what they want to do after graduation. Others are not as lucky. 

Key factors to think about after graduation are: college, career options, military branches, and financial situations. 

“After graduation, I plan to attend Weatherford College on campus and study accounting,” senior Aylen Garcia said. “I also hope to find a job in childcare while in school.”

For many students of the 2025 class, finances happen to be a deciding force for what lies in the immediate future.

“I plan to work for a while after graduation to save up for a marketing major,” senior Mac Davis-Patton said. 

While some students have a definite plan in mind, there are others who want do it all.

“After graduation, I plan to further my education by pursuing a nursing degree with, weirdly enough, a minor in marketing at the University of Texas at Arlington,” senior Diego Ramirez Montoya said. “Additionally, I am considering enrolling in summer courses at Hill College to speed up my academic career.”

Some people’s dreams will be achieved close to home, while others will pursue goals far away.

“After graduation, I will attend Penn State University and major in English while minoring in journalism,” senior Emma Rodgers said. “My dream is to be a writer for Vogue, though that is a very high-reaching goal.”

Some students have taken classes throughout high school to further prepare themselves for their futures. There is an array of classes available for students that can help prepare them for life after high school. 

“I took Money Matters and numerous math courses that should help me,” Garcia said. “Child Development has been a useful class for me to find a job in childcare.”

While some students have had the opportunity to take classes in high school which will directly impact their future careers, other students have found their own niche, outside the traditional classroom.

“I can’t say that I’ve taken any specific marketing classes, but I’ve taken specific skills from working on The Owl Flight newspaper, directing Owl Star News, and volunteering for the AV tech team,” Davis-Patton said. “As well as working on several social media pages for school clubs.”

Students are provided a wealth of differing courses to spur them onto a potential path for life.

“I completed all four marketing courses in the Marketing and Sales Pathway and completed all necessary courses in the Health Science Pathway to become certified as a Patient Care Technician (PCT),” Ramirez said. “I also took on advanced courses, including AP and college-level classes, to earn college credit and gain a better understanding of a college-level class.”

It’s evident there are opportunities to be had by students, if they choose to partake in them.

“I have been a member of the newspaper staff since last school year and have participated in UIL academics the same amount of time,” Rodgers said. “The class has really helped me see what writing for a magazine can be like and I’ve gained the necessary skills to pursue that throughout college.”

High school can be a tough time for some students, while others sail right through. It’s important to find classes that help fit one’s needs and desires, much like the newspaper class, where it feels like one big family. 

“I would like to say that it’s been more than a privilege to write alongside everyone in this class and that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading all their articles,” Garcia said. “I’m excited to keep up with reading the underclassmen’s future publications while I’m in college since they’re all such talented writers.”

Outgoing seniors are on the “other side” of high school and have a different viewpoint than those students coming into high school.

“High school is tough, and at many times you will want to give up completely, but don’t do it,” Davis-Patton said. “Life is constantly changing, and things will get better eventually. If you’re a, underclassman, join any club/organization you can; it’ll help you figure out what you want to do with your future, and you can meet new people or learn new things.”

The majority of students leaving high school have similar advice for underclassmen.

“Enjoy it. There’s not much I have to say other than to cherish your high school experience and to stay committed to self-improvement: physically, mentally, and educationally,” Ramirez Montoya said. “Don’t let anything or anyone deter you from achieving your goals and becoming the best version of yourself.”

They all agree there will be bad days but there will also be wonderful times to be had.

“First of all, [newspaper] class has been such a monumental part of my high school experience, and I could not have asked for a better support staff,” Rodgers said. “Second of all, high school can be tough, but it’s very important to remember that it’s a minuscule part of life, and whatever hardships you go through will only make you stronger.”