Seniors Count Down to Graduation

Growing up and becoming an adult has been something that most kids look forward to when they’re kids.

Graduating from high school always seemed so far away, but now it’s 19 days away.

It’s kind of scary imagining where your life is going and if your career choice is going to be successful.

While it’s nerve racking, it’s also exciting getting to grow up; you get to learn how to live on your own and move on with your life.

When I imagine what I think my future’s direction is going, it’s also interesting to think what the rest of my 2019 class has in mind for their future.

Senior Madde Shockey is planning on going to college in South Dakota to pursue her volleyball career and major in exercise science.

“I am super excited to go to college! I am looking forward to experiencing life on my own, but I’m not looking forward to the expenses,” Shockey said.

Senior Kaitlin Otis plans take a gap year to audition for professional dance jobs.

“I’m anxious and excited to live out the rest of my life, but I’m nervous on how to accomplish all that I want to,” Otis said.

“I’m looking forward to auditioning for ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ next spring, but not looking forward to the intense training and practice hours.

“After my gap year I am planning on going to college and major in media marketing or business management, but for now I’m just going with the flow of life,” Otis said.

Dimond High School alumna Ellese Chapados graduated in 2018.

“I knew from a young age that I was going to college after high school graduation but I had no idea where.

“After doing intense research for over four years, I found my dream school and got in. I am now attending University of Michigan,” Chapados said.

“I was excited to graduate because I worked very hard in high school and it was nice to see everything I worked for pay off and wrap up nicely.

“I was also slightly nervous because I had no idea what the future held for me. I was going to a school almost 4,000 miles away from Alaska, and I didn’t know anyone who was planning on attending or already attending the University of Michigan,” she said.

“However, the ‘unknown’ is exciting and I was looking forward to arriving on campus.

“As of now I have not changed my major. I really enjoy the two business classes I have taken.

“At Michigan I have a lot of freedom to explore different liberal art classes while completing my ‘BBA’ (Bachelor of Business Administration) degree.

“Everyone in the Ross Business School is a “BBA” major. It is up to the student to decide what business field they want to focus on, and if they want to pursue a minor as well,” Chapados said.

“My advice to the seniors who are graduating in less than two months is to go to the remaining high school state championship games, go all out for spirit days and enjoy the time you have left, whether it’s prom, parties, or being in class with one another.

“While college is way more fun than high school this is the last time you’ll ever be in class with people you have known since elementary/middle school, and you may never see/speak to some of them ever again,” Chapados said.

Dimond alumna Alexis Gibson graduated in 2016.

“I’m a nursing major and I stayed in Anchorage for my undergrad years to get my core classes out of the way before leaving to Grand Canyon University,” Gibson said.

“ I have changed my major twice and I just finished my minor, and I’m now planning on going back to Alaska for a couple years to save money to move somewhere else to finish my major.

“When I finish my major I’m planning on moving back to Alaska and work at a hospital so I can establish a stable income before moving to live in my forever state,” she said.

“If I had any advice to the next graduating class, I would tell them to definitely study their butts off because it will make a difference! Also get yourself out there and make friends to bring along with your college journey!” Gibson said.

After hearing my class’s plans for their future, and seeing graduates succeed makes the future seem less scary and I am excited to see what life brings me.