Graduation, a time in life that marks the beginning of adulthood.  There’s a saying that when one door closes, another one opens; so, what doors open and close with graduation? You begin a new chapter in life, whether it’s college or working fresh out of school. Many consider graduation either a nerve-wracking experience or an exciting step towards their future, maybe even both. We find these emotions in many students, including Terell Lujan who states, “I’m a little nervous but also excited to finally finish high school.” So, what about graduation makes students feel both skittish and thrilled?

Seniors and juniors both are nearing the end of their high school experience. They must begin preparing for what they plan to do after they graduate, whether that be continuing their education, working and getting their work experience, or just taking a break. We can see examples of these different paths in Kearns High juniors: Terell Lujan and Adan Walsh. When asked what their plans were after high school, Adan states that he plans to go into construction while Terell plans to begin college, preferably Harvard, as an art major. How do high schools prepare students for their futures? Elijah Ponce, a senior in Kearns High, states, “Highschool helped me find what career path I wanted to go in; because of it, I decided that I’ll likely go into culinary school after graduation.” High School gives students the education they need for their future careers. It’s important in deciding how their lives will be later.