By Parker Soughers
As the end of the school year rapidly approaches, students and staff alike look forward to the summer. For many students, the end of this year marks the end of an era. For all seniors, graduation is a monumental moment. From here, their lives branch off into endless possible directions. Some attend 4 year universities, while others go into the military or to community college. Nevertheless, one thing remains constant across all seniors: the experiences in high school have shaped their lives for years to come.
The lessons taught in high school transcend those of English and Math. Life lessons and moral values are instilled in students as they grow. Natalie Rose Williams, a senior at Benicia High School, explained what high school has taught her, saying, “High school has taught me that even through hardships, I can choose to radiate happiness and that in turn makes you feel better and brings others a smile as well!”
As a microcosm of the real world, high school’s lessons prepare students for what life is like outside of school. Flynn Demapendan-Espana expressed one such concept that fits the “real world”, stating, “My highschool experience definitely taught me to realize that life is not fair…I realized from the get-go that I had to work hard to earn my spot, and that is what I did. I focused on my work and practiced, studied, and I eventually got what I deserved from all my hard work.” These views were echoed by Spencer Renyolds, another senior at BHS, saying how “high school has humbled [him].”
Self-discovery lies at the heart of the high school experience. “Over the course of my high school career, I’ve learned to embrace my true self,” explained Williams. “I’ve realized that people will judge and people will be mean, but that doesn’t mean I should dim who I am.”
Demapendan revealed similar revelations, stating, “It was weird with the sudden changes, and I had to adapt quickly, but after finding my friends, I easily opened up. Doing so, I was able to become someone I was comfortable being. I was able to be myself and not hold anything back.”
The memories from the last four years will stick with seniors for years to come. Some favorite moments highlighted by the Class of 2025 are performing in rallies and school productions, the first day of school, and the daily unknowns that constantly surprise students. These glances into the high school experience demonstrate only a fraction of the joys and tribulations that students undergo.
When it comes to future plans and dreams, this year’s class has many. Williams details her plan to pursue her dream of becoming a star: “My goal is to become famous while also using my degree to advocate for myself in a constantly evolving world.” Williams plans on attending Northeastern University in New York to major in political science and performing arts.
Flynn Demapendan’s plans outline a starkly different path for the road ahead. “I’m going to Diablo Valley College, DVC, to get my credits and hopefully be able to transfer to an UC, such as UCLA or UC Davis. I’d love to major in either Biology or Psychology. Both majors stand out and interest me a lot.”
Graduation is only the beginning of a much larger and greater life. It is now time for the Class of 2025 to take their first steps into adulthood and to experience life after high school. Demapendan’s hopes for the future hold true to many students, “I am so excited to see what lies ahead for my future and I will go into it expecting good things. I just want to finally pursue something that I always wanted to pursue for years.”
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