As graduation quickly approaches on May 19th, seniors are constantly faced with the daunting question: “what career do I want to pursue?” While many seniors are still contemplating the life-changing question, some have their post-high school life mapped out. Seniors Sarah Beth Perry and Emma Peschel have ambitions to achieve a successful career in the medical field. Sarah Beth said, “While I’m unsure of the college I plan to attend, I would love to be a Pediatric Physicians Assistant and help children with genetic disorders.” Her passion for this career is fueled by her love for children with special needs. She hopes to use her career as a way to work with children living with disabilities to improve their quality of life. Emma Peschel said, “I will be attending Jacksonville State University in the fall. I plan to major in nursing to become a labor and delivery nurse or a NICU nurse.” Emma is choosing to pursue a career in infant care due to her lifelong love of babies. While many of his peers are choosing to pursue a career in the medical and nursing fields, Cooper Jenkins is taking a different approach to his future. “I hope to attend Georgia Tech and major in aeronautical engineering or physics and work in Formula 1 or the Air Force to make jets,” Cooper said. His lifelong interest in airplanes and the Wright Brothers has inspired his passion to pursue a career in this field.
As many seniors look back on their last four years of high school, they agree that they have tremendously changed since their first day of freshman year to present day. Senior Sebastian Castro said, “Find more of God with all your heart and treat others with love, how you want to be treated as it will bring more love.” This advice was vital to Sebastian as he navigated the changes high school posed compared to middle school. Emma Reed said, “Do not be afraid to challenge yourself. It is the best thing you can do to ensure growth of your own work ethic.” Similar to Sebastian, Emma Reed needed this advice to power through the challenges that high school threw at her. Many of these seniors know that college is going to be a challenging adjustment; however, they are proud to leave Armuchee with advice to carry with them throughout their college career.
While seniors are excited about the independence and new experiences that college is going to offer them, many say they are going to miss the memories they made at Armuchee High School. Senior Emma Reed said, ”I am going to miss the small, tight-knit community of Armuchee. But, I am looking forward to expanding my horizons at UGA and meeting new people. I am also excited to move to a new town for a few years.” Many other seniors have shared similar feelings about leaving the familiar high school environment. Sharing a similar perspective on the outlook they have for college, Sebastian Castro said, “The people I have memories close to my heart with are people that I have enjoyed my time with. I am going to miss them dearly but have to look at the bright side of a new season in my life. I hope that I can be independent and become a man who relies on God.” Sebastian’s faith has been a crucial part of his high school experience that he will carry with him into college. Seniors Emma Peshel and Dimitri Castro are going to miss the sports they played in high school the most. Emma said, “I will miss the AHS environment, I have a lot of good memories here, especially the football games, and volleyball was a big part of my time here. I am excited for college because it is a new chapter.” Emma has been on the Armuchee volleyball team for multiple years, and during her time, she has made memories she will never forget. Similar to Emma, Dimitri said, “One thing I will miss about the Armuchee High School experience is the amazing people and how everyone is super encouraging. The one thing I will miss the most is the sports here. I play on the Armuchee soccer team and have for years, and one thing I will never forget is the friendships I have made through soccer.” Each of these seniors have made many remarkable memories during their high school years. Even though they are leaving Armuchee High School to go off to start a new chapter at college, they will carry these memories and friendships with them throughout their life.
As a sentimental chapter comes to a close, reminiscing on prior experiences brings back memories that will follow seniors throughout the rest of their lives. The lessons learned at Armuchee High School will carry them throughout their collegiate and professional careers. Senior Emma Reed said, “I have learned how important patience and listening are to the betterment of friendships and relationships. I think Armuchee has taught me how to grow and get along with people who are different from me, which has been a great experience to have.” The lessons Emma learned throughout her time at Armuchee will help her in adulthood as she tackles challenges in the future. Although these seniors will move forward with their lives, the lessons they learned at Armuchee High School will continue to follow them and shape them into the successful person they will become in the future. Senior Krish Patel said, “Be careful of the friends you make because you never know when they may come in handy when you need them the most.”Whether Emma and Krish carry these relationships into adulthood, the insights they gain from these friendships can help to guide their future careers. Senior Sebastian Castro said, “Only God can make moments in life meaningful and only he can bring peace. Things in this world are temporary, but He is also eternal in His unconditional love.” Sebastian’s unshakable faith has guided his actions and perspective he has at his time at Armuchee High School the past four years. Although the major step to college may seem overwhelming to many seniors, the next chapter will be a reflection of the people that have shaped them at Armuchee High School. Noah Thompson, senior FBLA member, plans to attend the University of Georgia and major in agricultural engineering. Noah is experiencing mixed emotions about his major move this fall. “College is intimidating in the aspect that I have to move away from all the people I know. Learning how to make new friends and to work in an environment that is unfamiliar to me will definitely be a major change for me. Additionally, college classes especially in the major I’m taking are a couple steps above high school classes so that seems intimidating as well when transitioning to college,” Noah said.
Even though the Class of 2026 seniors will go their separate ways soon, they plan to always remember their Armuchee roots and the people that shaped them along the way. Senior, Bella Duck is looking forward to starting a new chapter at Jacksonville State University this fall, but she will always remember the community that raised her. “It would be impossible to not remember the community that has poured into me and my upbringing. Although I’m moving away, the Armuchee community will always have a special place in my heart. These people have shaped the person I am today and the person I will become in the future.” While every senior will verge on different paths soon, they will have the memories and lessons from Armuchee to help guide them through the next chapters of their lives.
