LRHS seniors announce plans after graduation, provide advice for underclassmen

High school graduation is too often misinterpreted as a finish line. In reality, it does not symbolize an end, but rather a checkpoint.

For many seniors, the checkpoint lies on the path toward higher education, leading to exciting potential for growth.

For example, senior Morgan Lane will be attending Whitworth University in the fall to pursue a degree in pre-physical therapy and health sciences.

Her decision to commit to Whitworth was based on its private status and religious affiliation, along with “the small class sizes and potential to form relationships with the professors.”

Lane continued, “I am most excited about the community and how much I can be myself.”

One of approximately four students that will be attending college out of state, Nathan Naught will be pursuing agronomy at the University of Kentucky.

Of his college search process, he recalled, “I became interested in the university when I was lucky enough to have the privilege of visiting part of their campus during FFA Nationals.”

“After looking into their programs and seeing they had a reputable plant and soil science program,” Naught continued, “I decided to apply.”

Regarding his hopes for the next four years, he added, “I am most excited about the education I will gain from the school, and I think it will broaden my opportunities in the future and allow me to work as an agronomist.”

Also with an eye on the future is Rachel Schell, whose goal is to enter the nursing program at Eastern Washington University.

She explained, “I am most excited for the next step in education… <and> for the new opportunities.”

Striving to be greater than yesterday, she added, “It’ll make me a better student as well as help me to ‘adult.’”

Opportunities for growth are also important to Laurel Hayes, whose path after graduation will lead her to a career in the Navy.

In describing her inspiration to join the Armed Forces, she cited, “all of the opportunities that come along in the Navy… and the adventure.”

Comparing where they are going to how far they have come, college-and-Armed-Forces-bound graduating seniors have several pieces of advice for underclassmen looking to follow similar paths.

Schell advised, “I would tell underclassmen to work hard in school, especially their freshmen and sophomore years. It’ll make the last two years [specifically the college search process] much easier and less stressful.”

Similarly, Naught recommends that each student forms a rough outline of their future early on: “I would advise underclassmen to have some idea of what they want to do in college and to figure out what the requirements to get into the program the want are.”

Hayes’ advice revolves around the independence of the decision making process.

“Keep your eyes on the big picture, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s a bad idea, because going into the Armed Forces is a lot more than going to war,” she said.

Planning on pursuing kinesiology at Western Washington University, Camden Smith reciprocates Hayes’ advice.

“I would tell [underclassmen] to go where they want to,” he reflected, adding that they should “not let anyone influence their decision.”

Regardless of where each of these seniors will go after graduation, anyone looking for the secret to their success should note one underlying characteristic: a diligent work ethic.

Lane summarized her experience at LRHS, “I think that my rigorous course load has made me better prepared for the courses in college.”

She concluded, “The advice I would give to people is work hard; it’s possible that you can earn a ton of money and go to the college of your dreams.”