Inspiring Futures
In the fall semester, the seniors at Armuchee High School (AHS) are preparing for their successful future life after they graduate and go to their college of choice. Sarah Beth Perry, Sebastian Castro, Carter Kibble, and Moses Abston are four seniors that have been recognized by the school in their years at Armuchee High School. These seniors prepare in their own ways by figuring out what their career is going to be and how they will tackle situations.
Many find that the best way to set a person up for success is their mentality. Sebastian’s mentality is to perform to the best of his ability in everything he does, and similarly, Moses’s is to do everything to the best of his ability and through that, glorify God. Senior Moses Abston said, “I prepared for college by applying for scholarships and praying about it.” Moses Abston knows he wants to be a mechatronic engineer, but he will pray through the specific steps in his calling. Some seniors like Carter Kibble are not planning to attend college. Carter Kibble said, “I am not going to college. I plan to attend flight school of some type.” Moses Abston explains he wants to attend Kennesaw State University. These senior boys have accomplished high grades and improvement in their academic skills with the similar mentalities they have. These seniors have been taking action by taking the SAT, writing essays, and more. Sebastian Castro said, “ I am going to take the ACT twice and the SAT later on.” Sarah Perry and Sebastian Castro were Homecoming representatives for the class of 2026, Sarah Perry won Homecoming runner up and Sebastian Castro won Homecoming king. Sebastian Castro, Carter Kibble, and Moses Abston have also all been a part of the Armuchee High School Soccer Team and became state champions in 2025.
Although these seniors might be preparing for their future careers, it is their growth through their last few years of high school that has made them successful. Through their hard work, they have learned a few lessons that can help them in the future. Sarah Beth Perry said, “I learned to definitely not be scared, to make mistakes, and to take risk.” By working diligently in all Sarah’s years of high school, she learned to not be scared to make mistakes because of the life lessons you will learn from making those mistakes. Most students have learned lessons through making mistakes in their school work. Sebastian Castro said, “People have told me that I am a role model for kids [and] for people that are becoming young adults.” The mistakes the seniors have made have helped them become the people they are and have also helped them become a good influence to others around them.
The teachers play an important role in the future of students, and they can do this by helping the students learn more about themselves. Not only do the teachers impact the student, but the students impact the teachers. The class of 2026 has played a big role at Armuchee High School. They were the first freshman class when Mr. Pethel became principal, and they have greatly impacted him. Mr. Pethel said, “I’ll just miss them as people because I have been around them for a long time.” These seniors have impacted him by giving him joy in the ways they grow. Mr. Pethel has learned from these kids, and they have helped shape him into the principal he is. Mrs. Mowery said, “I especially love one day when they email me from college telling me they were prepared for the rigor of college.” Mrs. Mowery was proud to know that her teaching had impacted her students in such a positive way. This has impacted her by knowing that she is teaching the best way she can.
The students have made many memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Sarah Beth Perry said,“I think I’ll remember the connections that I made here and whether that is like sports or like in the classroom.” The year 2026 has been united by Armuchee High School not just in the classroom but outside of it. Sebastian Castro talks about many memories he will never forget and said, “When I received the award For The Tribe I was really happy because it was just after the day we won the State Soccer Championship. ” He later explains the people he will miss and remember after leaving, he says, “I wanna make a shout-out to Mrs. Coonley. I’m going to miss her a lot and the community that we have at Armuchee.” These types of moments are memories that they can never forget. Not only has Sebastian and Sarah had these moments, but the whole class of 2026 as well. Those moments could have been funny moments or mistakes that they have learned from, but it is something that they will always cherish.
Lastly, these seniors are preparing to write their college essays and apply for scholarships. They have to make early decisions for the upcoming due dates near mid-October. This is a huge decision for them, knowing that what they submit to their application decides what they could do for the rest of their life, how they will live, and the type of people they will see. The seniors at AHS have made the teachers and administrators here proud of the way they have worked hard and been taught. Mr. Pethel said, “I feel like they’ve really bought into what we are trying to accomplish as a school with our motto of ‘We is greater than me.’” Over all, the seniors feel that they have been changed for the better and are prepared for their future.
