Local Seniors Share Dreams Just Days Before Graduation
Graduation season is fast approaching across Iron County, and a group of local seniors shared their excitement, uncertainty and aspirations during a recent appearance on the Big Picture Morning Show on KSUB radio. Representing Canyon View, Cedar, Launch and Parowan high schools, the students reflected on their final days in the classroom and the paths ahead.
For Evelyn Stein of Canyon View High School, the countdown is already underway. “Yes, Graduation is May 21st, so we have around 13 days left until school's out, and I'm excited. I'm hyped to get out of here, even though I love Canyon View, but it's exciting.” Stein plans to serve a mission in Riverside, California before attending Southern Utah University to study child development and education.
At Cedar High School, Cooper Anderson summed up the late-spring mindset with a laugh: “Very. I'm done.” Looking ahead, he said, “Well, after high school, I'll probably go on a little mission, and then after that, go to college. Yeah.” His classmate Zoe Humes is also preparing for a mission, adding, “I'm actually going to Wichita, Kansas. I'll leave July 1st, and then I'm hoping to go to school for nursing after.”
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Launch High School senior Jonas Hunt described a different educational experience. “Definitely unique. We get a lot more support from the teachers closely. I only have 4 kids in my math class.” He added that the model helped him accelerate his progress: “It's kind of making your own path instead of just taking the base route.” Launch will hold its graduation ceremony May 20 at 1 p.m. in the SUU Hunter Center.
In Parowan, Avery Biasi is looking forward to both graduation and summer. “I'm really looking forward to graduation too. And summer. I love summer.” Afterward, she plans to attend Utah Valley University to study nursing. Fellow Parowan senior Austin Smith said the final days of school are relaxed: “At the end of high school, I'm kind of just looking to have fun… it's just kind of hang out.” He intends to serve a mission before pursuing a hands-on career in the trades.
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Despite different plans, many of the students shared similar values. Anderson emphasized the importance of finishing school, noting it teaches “social skills and how to treat people.” Humes said she will miss “just being around all my friends and seeing friendly faces every day,” while Stein reflected on her broader goal: “I just want to make things better… just spreading kindness, spreading joy.”
Graduation ceremonies for Canyon View and Cedar high schools will take place May 21 at the SUU America First Event Center, while Parowan High School will hold its ceremony that evening at 7 p.m. at the high school.
You can hear everything these graduating seniors had to say in the podcast below.
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Gallery Credit: Steve Tanko