As graduation draws nearer, seniors jump through the final hoops of high school, each one with an individual plan pushing them to finish strong. Seniors make the tough decision between the many post high school paths they could take. Whether they pick a four year university, a technical or art school, a community college, or even just career training, they make the choice to best benefit what they want with their future.

Sarah Van Eyk ‘15, has chosen a post high school pathway unique to her love of performing and Disney. Van Eyk will attend Everett Community College for a quarter this fall and in February “apply for the Disney College Program (DCP) and work for Disneyland or Disneyworld” there she will audition to be a performer. She does have to pay to participate in the DCP but all credits she earns in her time there go towards a business degree.

Blake Smith ‘15 has decided to start his future off at a local community college. He has chosen Everett Community College because it’s “local and has lots of programs” he is interested in. The plan he has right now is to acquire one year at Everett CC and then attend the University of Washington for medicine. He plans on doing something in the medical field whether it be nursing, paramedic, or a physical therapist. He chose a community college over a four year because it is a cheaper option and gives him time to figure out what he wants to do with his life.

Chase Trinidad ‘15 wants to pursue a career doing something he fell in love with right at AHS. He wants to attend the Art Institute of Seattle for film. During his freshman year he took the video productions class and decided then and there that’s what he wants to do with his life. His original goal was to attend “a film school in California, but since out of state would be too expensive Seattle has a nice campus and program.” His career dream is to become a cinematographer.

Jennifer McDonald ‘15 plans on taking a more traditional post high school path. “I plan to attend a four year university straight out of high school.” She hopes to attend her first choice which is the University of Minnesota but that depends on the scholarships she receives. Her back up plan is Eastern Washington University. McDonald said that she plans to study business. She picked a four year university because she “had never wanted to stay on this side of the state” for college and had never thought of an out of state community college.

The large range of post high school plans are all tailored to each person’s needs. No matter what there is always a plan that fits right for each unique individual.