As high school is comes to an end, many students are preparing and thinking seriously about their future plans. Whether it’s choosing a career, selecting a dream college or dreaming of traveling the world, the excitement and uncertainty of what lies ahead fills the minds of many seniors and underclassmen. Through interviews with students like Molly Gaudard, grade 10, Emma Yelle, grade 11, and Bailey Burton, grade 12, it’s obvious that although everyone’s paths are different, they are united by a common determination to build brighter futures.
Molly Gaudard is one student with a strong passion for helping others and being true to herself. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in the medical field, specifically something that allows her to care for and support people in need. When asked about college, Molly shared that she has always dreamed of attending Michigan State University. “Ever since I was little, my family and I have always been huge fans of the school.”
Michigan State not only offers strong medical programs, but also holds personal meaning for her. One of Molly’s biggest dreams is to travel the world once she becomes financially stable and successful. She hopes to experience different cultures and explore new places when she has downtime and the means to pursue them. For now, her immediate plans involve studying to become a physician assistant. She believes that developing communication skills will help further her career choice. While Molly plans on going to college for something in the medical field, she does not plan on playing sports as of right now. She is just hoping and looking to enjoy and experience the full college experience.
Emma Yelle also has clear goals for her future. She is hoping to attend college next year, balancing academics with playing college softball. Her primary aim for the next 5 years is to be financially stable while pursuing her education and athletic dreams.
Like Molly, Emma is interested in the medical field. In an interview with Emma I asked her, is there any specific majors or fields of study you would like to pursue or look into? She said, “I really would like to become a physician assistant because I’ve always wanted to do it and it seems like something that I could be very good at and maintain while playing a sport.” She understands that mastering skills such as checking vitals and drawing blood will be necessary for her success.
Emma’s biggest dream is simple, yet meaningful: she wants to travel the world after becoming financially successful. Additionally, she dreams of traveling to Greece after high school because the beautiful scenery of the country reminds her of one of her favorite movies, Mamma Mia. Emma really strives to have her life pretty much together and is ready to take on her next big year, which is her senior year, dealing with different colleges, financial aid and FAFSA.
Meanwhile, Bailey Burton dreams of becoming a successful doctor. Her biggest goal is to not only build a strong medical career, but also to have a family and be a mother to her future children. She knows that balancing a demanding career with personal life can be challenging, but it’s something she is determined to accomplish. To prepare for her career, Bailey plans to shadow doctors with more experience and that will help her gain valuable insights and skills needed for her future profession.
Staying in touch with friends after high school can be hard, Bailey values maintaining relationships with the people who supported her through high school and thinks it is important for emotional strength and personal growth. When asked how she would stay connected to friends she explained, “ Staying in touch and keep on messaging them, making plans to see them and always make time for the people who were there for me all through high school.” Additionally while going away to college, Bailey plans to continue her cheerleading career at Central Michigan University. She will be making tons of friends and memories on the way and is very excited to take on the next journey. 
Looking at the future plans of Molly, Emma and Bailey, it’s clear that today’s students are motivated, thoughtful, and ready to take on the world. Whether their dreams involve medicine, travel sports or family, each of them shows a passion for growth, learning, and adventure. Although the road ahead may be full of challenges, their dedication to their goals suggests that they are more than ready for their journey. Their stories remind us that the future is full of possibilities- and it’s in good hands.
