by Ayianna Maddox, Harper Gordon, and Jada Belser

Senior year has officially started for the graduating Class of 2027. High school seniors are reaching their last adolescent milestone and preparing for adult life. Their emails, messages, and mailboxes are constantly filled with information about college, financial aid, and so much more. 

While all of this is a good thing, the downside is the constant reminder that their childhood is concluding, and the trepidation of what lies ahead.

“My biggest fear is ‘what’s next?’ Just knowing the next step is being on my own and leaving everything and everyone I’ve ever known scares me a lot,” senior Harper Hylton said.

Senior Jenna Watts finds there are exciting moments to look forward to. 

“I’m excited. I’m so ready for all the senior events to start, and it’s nice to know I’m almost done. Graduation is the goal, and I’m almost there!” Watts said.

Senior Alasia Sims expressed how the end of her high school career and the start of her adult life caused mixed feelings. 

“I’m happy to be done with school and everything, then I’m scared because I’m going to have to actually go and do adult things,” Sims stated.

Senior year is commonly associated with balancing life inside of school and outside of school, such as working, volunteering, college, and career searching. As a young adult, all of these activities can impact students’ viewpoints of what awaits them, especially when it’s expected that the student has it all “figured out.”

“I’m nervous about adulthood. There’s more responsibilities, but that also comes with more freedom. I’m most nervous about money management,” senior Sean Dyer said.

At the end of the day, after four long years of high school, seniors are still kids growing into their adult shoes.

“I feel like I’ve slowly been entering into adulthood the entire of high school,” senior Enzo Magallanez said. 

The Class of 2027 has a long, yet short, year ahead of them, but between college, financial, and career responsibilities, they are all kids enjoying their last year of freedom.