Seniors receive caps and gowns with mixed feelings

Reilly Jones, Design Editor

With June quickly approaching, Columbus East seniors prepare for the graduation ceremony by picking up their caps, gowns, tassels, and other merchandise from Josten’s. While the ceremony is not until 10:00 a.m. on June 3, seniors are already experiencing nervous anticipation toward life after high school. Here are 6 graduating seniors’ thoughts on transitioning to college.

Jacob Wilkerson

Q: How do you feel about graduating?
A: “Pretty good.”
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: “Go to college for 4 years to get my electrical engineering degree.”
Q: How ready are you to graduate on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being you’d rather stay in high school the rest of your life & 10 being you could walk out today and be done?
A: “7.”

Kyle Frost

Q: How do you feel about graduating?
A: “I feel like it’s going to be a new experience but I’m definitely going to miss all of the old experiences that I made in high school.”
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: “I plan to go to Purdue and study engineering.”
Q: How ready are you to graduate on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being you’d rather stay in high school the rest of your life & 10 being you could walk out today and be done?
A: “Like a 7.”

Ashlyn Mills

Q: How do you feel about graduating?
A: “I’m really scared. It’s a lot to think about.”
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: “So far I haven’t decided on a major or anything but I’m deciding between 2 colleges, Olivet Nazarene and Indiana Wesleyan. I’m thinking about going for occupational therapy or pediatric nursing.”
Q: How ready are you to graduate on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being you’d rather stay in high school the rest of your life & 10 being you could walk out today and be done?
A: “Probably an 8, because I’m excited to leave and excited to move on, but I’m really scared about college and being uncertain about my future.”

Josh Sensanbaugher

Q: How do you feel about graduating?
A: “I’m really excited about graduating this year. When I graduate, I’m going to miss the people, but not necessarily all the schoolwork that’s involved, but I think it’s going to be really great to graduate and move on.”
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: “I’m going to go on a 2 year mission for my church and then I’m going to college. I’m hoping to get into BYU [Brigham Young University].”
Q: How ready are you to graduate on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being you’d rather stay in high school the rest of your life & 10 being you could walk out today and be done?
A: “Right now I would probably put it at a 7.”

Mila Lipinski

Q: How do you feel about graduating?
A: “It’s kind of bittersweet. I’m excited for the new opportunities that I will get, but I’m also kind of sad. I won’t get to see my friends as much and East is a great place to be and a great community to be a part of.”
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: “[Attend] an undecided 4 year school. It’s tough to make a decision, but I will be pursuing a degree in architecture.”
Q: How ready are you to graduate on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being you’d rather stay in high school the rest of your life & 10 being you could walk out today and be done?
A: “7.”

Chaz Painter

Q: How do you feel about graduating?
A: “I’m excited, but it’s also really scary at the same time.”
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: “I’m going to Wright State Lake Campus to play basketball and learn about agriculture.”
Q: How ready are you to graduate on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being you’d rather stay in high school the rest of your life & 10 being you could walk out today and be done?
A: “7.”