Senior Hawks Spread their Wings By: Maylene Michel

Hillgrove's seniors have reached the point in their school careers in which one thing is on their minds persistently: college. Furman University clarifies that students planning for college are looking to attend “two-year or four-year educational institution[s]” that “offer certificates, associate’s degrees, [and] bachelor’s degrees.” While this can be an anxiety-inducing time, Hillgrove's 12th graders have shown that they're up for the challenge. Fourth year student Kara Boggs eagerly shares that she wants to be a teacher: “My mom has been a teacher ever since I was born, so I've grown up around it… I just love it so much; I'll never change my mind.” Regardless of whether one has a plan for the future, college can be a productive choice as it “prepares you for the workforce,” and “can help you develop your personal and professional skills,” according to the Metropolitan State University of Denver. In this case, some of Hillgrove’s more career driven students have their decisions made. Senior Jessica Hoover announces her decision on Kennesaw State University “because of their Wellstar program… strictly for nursing.” But, not all seniors are as decisive as her. 

For the majority of high school graduates who go on to postsecondary education, the factors that go into their decisions on a school vary considerably from student to student. American National University attributes this to “many individuals’… desire for enhanced career prospects and financial stability,” as well as “college [being the] chance for many to discover new things about themselves that they didn’t get to explore before.” Namely, Jessica’s decision rests on her pathway “because I want to be a nurse… Like, everything I'm doing in college is going to get me there.” Contrarily, 12th grader Jackie Young’s decision is understandably based on “the way college is, the population of people there, and the energy I feel.” Many pre-graduate students will agree! 

Another choice high school graduates make in college is a major one: whether to focus on studying or partying. Hillgrove seniors’ takes are arguably more practical. Kara Boggs advises “just evening it out: making sure I have all my work done then go have fun, because it's not like high school… you're there to get your degree.” Similarly, Jessica rules out “party schools… I'm not there for the 'college experience'… I'm more there for my future.” In either case, these 12thgraders will be adults when these decisions are made and their levels of enthusiasm on that fact provoke amusing viewpoints. While Kara and Jessica express eagerness, Jackie relates less: “It's scary, it's a big step, but I'm just going to have to get used to it.” Ultimately, wherever Hillgrove’s seniors choose to go, they’re leaving behind 13 years of memories with a special group of people. Jessica Hoover elaborates on “the close-knit relationship… I know mostly everybody in my grade that I've been with, and losing all of that, and we're all just going separate paths.” It’s time for our hawks to fly the nest.