Collier County Graduating Seniors 2015
I loved high school. I can easily say those years were some of the best in my life. I cherish the memories made at the many dances, pep rallies, and school choir trips. I can visually remember riding on our freshman class float during the homecoming parade. I remember the exact moment of my senior year that I slapped my painted hand on the wall of the cafeteria to leave my mark as the Class of 2000. (Yes, I just revealed my age.) I have a family friend to thank for my great high school adventure. As a graduating senior, she gave me some sound advice as I was about to enter my freshman year. Get involved. Now, with the Class of 2015 about to walk across that stage, I want to give them a chance to offer advice to those about to embark on their high school journey.
What advice would you give to those just starting their high school career?
I would also tell them to work on their time management as it can be a bit stressful to juggle all the responsibilities that come with being a teenager.”
Leidy Gomez, Golden Gate High Schoo
“Balancing school, sports, and clubs taught me to manage time efficiently, which will serve me the rest of my life.”
Christy Thorstenson, Lely High School
“Actually know what your graduation requirements are; make sure to have a balance between what you need and what you like; find something that you like so that you can use it for the future.”
Claudia Lopez, Palmetto Ridge High School
“Challenge yourself in class and embrace learning about what you love. Most importantly: DON’T SETTLE EVER.”
Elizabeth Roux, Gulf Coast High School
“Be nice to everyone, you never know who you’ll need later.”
Jorquel Condomina,
Golden Gate High School
“You can get caught up with the amount of freedom you have. Staying on top of your grades is very important, especially freshman year.”
Jennifer Dugue, Naples High School
“Choose classes that will challenge you, but that will allow you to succeed. Once you receive a grade in a class it’s on your transcript and could make or break what college you end up attending.”
Eleanor Rushing, Naples High School
“I’d also advise to begin to plan and construct a resume. It’s better to be early than on time.”
Yesenia Lopez, Immokalee High School
What will you miss the most about your time in high school?
“The friendships you build in high school are some that you won’t forget. Not just with peers, but also teachers. That is definitely what I’ll miss the most.”
Leidy Gomez, Golden Gate High School
“What I will miss most about my time in high school are all the friendships I have made and all the teachers who have helped prepare me for my future endeavors.”
Klea Agollari, Barron Collier High School
If you could do high school over again, would you do anything differently?
“If anything, I wish I knew to stay true to what I wanted – not trying to conform to what others wanted, because when you do that, you aren’t happy; but I learned from the experiences of that, and it got me to where I am today.”
Kayla Harsh, Palmetto Ridge High School
“Looking back, there’s the obvious, get a better grade, don’t trip up the stairs and have half of the school see, and to challenge myself more. But reflecting, high school is meant for mistakes. Taking a cumulative view of my experience, the mistakes I made challenged me. They molded me into the individual I am today.”
Cameron Absher, Gulf Coast High School
“If I could do high school all over again I would study more, organize my time and spend more time with my family.”
Jenny Herard, Golden Gate High School
“If I could do high school over again, I would make sure to get involved sooner. I found all of my interests my senior year, and I wish I had discovered them earlier on.”
Aubrey Howard, Naples High School
“If I could do high school over again, I would not do anything differently because although there may have been times where everything was not perfect, I definitely learned from those experiences. When I reflect on my four years of high school I remember the good friendships, projects, sporting events, teachers, and memories that I never want to change.”
Klea Agollari, Barron Collier High School
“I would be more involved, and take more time to complete my assignments. Take my classes more seriously.”
Yesenia Lopez, Immokalee High School