Tag: challenges

Seniors face their hopes, challenges in final year of high school

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.”

Senior Sean Dyer takes his BC Calculus test. Photo by Logan Vidt.

“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.

Senior Enzo Magallanez takes his BC Calculus test. The desire to do well in classes is just one of the challenges seniors face in their final year at JHS. Photo by Logan Vidt
by jhshyphen

Column: ‘Push, fight, and be strong.’

Your story is your testimony

by I’Yonna Boyd

Me being a daddy’s girl, I never thought in a million years that my first heartbreak would be my father. With everything I’ve been through, this one hurt me the most 

It was during a normal scorching hot Sunday. My cousins and I were upstairs playing in the playroom, and I suddenly heard a loud knock at the door; my stomach dropped. We all ran downstairs and to see who it was – it was the police. All the family, including my dad, were downstairs having family time playing cards and eating. My nana opened the door, and they asked for my father. At this moment I knew that he was going to leave, but I didn’t know why. At this time I was too young to know.

Everything hit the fan when the police said, “I’m sorry ma’am, your son has to come with us.” I cried in confusion, not understanding what was going on. I asked my aunt if he was coming back, and she said yes. Years later I felt lied to, because he didn’t come back when I expected him to. I fell into depression at the ages of 7-14. I never thought that him being incarcerated would affect me that much.

It hurt me the most because I knew I couldn’t be with him physically and him missing most of my childhood left me hurt. Falling into depression affected my relationship with my mother. We were bumping heads, and nothing just seemed to work out. All the arguing, fighting, and commotion – it was too much for me to handle. My heart was broken, and I knew that only my father and God could pick up the pieces. While my father is still locked up, he and I still remained close and he slowly picked up my pieces. 

My dad helped me grow into the person I am today. He helped me get through all my problems, and he never judges me. He’s always open ears. 

What I learned from this particular situation is that even though times can get hard or something traumatic happens in your life, you still continue to push, fight, and be strong. Don’t let anything affect you or change you into a person that’s going to destroy you. You do have a purpose in life. You are here for a reason, and God’s creation is no mistake, so cherish your life and what you have while you can. Know that your story is your testimony.

Nothing is over. Everything has just begun.

by jhshyphen