As the academic year draws to a close, high school seniors across the nation are gearing up to bid farewell to the familiar halls of their school and embark on the next chapter of their lives. Senior Angela Lee will be attending Washington University, and Abigail Fulnecky is a senior bound for the Naval Academy.
For Lee, the impending graduation still feels surreal, even with only a few days left of school.
“This whole year has felt unreal,” she said. “For the most part, it’s felt like a regular school year, but then things like college applications remind me that it’s my last year of high school.”
Graduation has been a huge goal for Lee.
“It’s more of a milestone for me. It’s like a gateway towards my future,” she said.
Reflecting on her proudest achievement, Lee points to her academic letter plaque.
“It might sound silly, but I was really excited to get my plaque, and now that I have it, I am obsessed,” Lee said.
However, amid the academic milestones, Lee said she cherishes the memories she made with friends the most.
“Overall, I feel like the memories I made with them are the best moments from high school,” she said.
For Abigail Fulnecky, graduation represents individual accomplishments and a collective celebration of her class’s dedication.
“It is a way to celebrate the dedication of our class to academics, athletics, and the arts, and a way to share this with the ones we love most,” she said.
Among her most cherished memories is winning first place with her Parliamentary Procedure compeitition.
“During my sophomore year at FBLA state when I was standing on stage with my Parliamentary Procedure team and we won first place was the very first time I had qualified for a national competition and it was by far the most memorable,” Fulnecky said.
Fulnecky credits her growth during high school to the opportunities she seized and the support of her teachers, particularly Mrs. Livengood and Mr. Edwards.
“Mrs. Livengood instilled confidence in my abilities and went out of her way to give me resources,” she said, “Mr. Edwards sparked my interest in learning about American history and government due to his passion and knowledge concerning the subjects.”
Despite the challenges they faced, both seniors expressed gratitude for the experiences and friendships forged during their high school journey. Lee admits to grappling with senioritis but manages to navigate through it.
“The biggest challenge is probably senioritis. My senioritis was so bad this year and I had no motivation to do anything,” Lee said.
Fulnecky emphasized the importance of time management and prioritization.
“You just have to take it one day at a time and realize that high school is a race of endurance, not a sprint,” Fulnecky said, “Also, prioritizing
your family, friends, and sleep is still very important.”
Looking ahead, Lee plans to pursue a career in medicine—a path she’s been passionate about since childhood. Fulnecky, on the other hand, envisions a future in public service, aiming to work abroad and in with the Department of State.
