Applaud ripples through the crowd, parents cry, and caps fly into the air. It is high school graduation. Students anticipate the future, and are filled with a mixture of excitement and worry. Most wonder if they’ve had enough preparation for this giant step in their life. Whether or not they are ready, it is now time for them to step out into the world. 

Teachers say that high school is the gateway to the future. However, teachers never say how the classes’ students, take affect in the future. Highlands High School offers a variety of classes and clubs that range from the academic team and creative writing to sports like football and basketball. No matter the interest, there is a place for everyone. These clubs, activities, and classes guide students to the future, whether that student goes to college or goes straight into the workplace. 

High School affects students in a variety of ways. It was found that it wasn’t the curriculum itself that led students to pursue their careers. Rather, the curriculum pushed students away from their original plans. 

Math teacher Abbey McCoy stated “I wanted to be a physical therapist, and I started senior seminar (…) I picked physical therapy and I hated it, so I switched to education.” Most people agreed with her. 

Counselor Ann Listerman felt the same way. She expressed “I had originally wanted to be a teacher, but after watching my sister teach a class, I realized that it wasn’t for me.” She feels that it wasn’t the classes she took what got her where she is now, but the support of her loving parents. 

On the contrary, Adele Ross, a Junior at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio and an alumni of Highlands, loved her classes. She said that she wanted to pursue a minor in German because “It was easy and fun to learn.” and “Learning a foreign language is very important to (her).” 

In the end, the curriculum itself didn’t matter very much to students when it came to choosing classes. Instead, most high school students pursued a career because of a teacher. Mrs. Abbey McCoy, Mrs. Anne Listerman, and Ms. Adele Ross could all agree they wouldn’t be where they are now without support from great teachers.