As the end of the semester nears, and students prepare themselves for the last couple of months, seniors are thinking about graduation being right around the corner. May. 16, the Class of 2026 will be finished with High School, and they feel a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and pressure for what’s to come.
East senior Jacob Kalecki’s transition to college will be a bittersweet one. Although he has roots here, he has been looking forward to moving on to college for many reasons, one being a reason everyone can relate to.
“I’ll miss my friends, but I’m happy to be graduating. It’ll be nice not to have to wake up so early. I’m excited to pursue aeronautical engineering in college.” Kalecki said.
After four long years, seniors finally get to walk across the stage and start the next chapter of their lives. Whether it means college, trade schools, the military, or going into the workforce.
Graduation isn’t just the end of High School; it is the accumulation of all the hard work people have put into their classes, feeling they have accomplished a faraway goal.
Emily House is one senior among many who feel this way and can’t wait for what’s coming next.
“I’m really excited. I feel like I’ve worked really hard and earned the right to walk across the stage,” House said.
Time really flies when you’re young and having fun. The journey from the start of high school to college can feel much too quick, which makes some people even forego the thought of graduation, and especially college.
East senior Aiden Olguin shares a sentiment many others feel: four years of schooling felt like no time at all.
“It barely feels like any time has passed since I began High School, and graduation wasn’t something I had in mind until now,” Olguin said.
Graduation can be a time for students to reflect on their past, thinking of all the time spent working and the memories they made while attending East. Getting ready to move on and choose what they want to pursue for the future.
Written by junior Nicholas Reingold and senior Ethan Lin. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.