WOODBURY – With only three months leading up to the 2025 senior graduation, every senior is filled with a different emotion. Some are filled with the utmost joy, some are scared, some are filled with anger, and some just don’t know how or what to feel. Everyone takes things in at a different pace, and each student is different.
Liam Sandor, a senior at Nonnewaug, has brought great insight about the countdown to graduation day.
“I would say I am definitely ready to let my high school chapter go, not because I dislike high school but because I am excited to get into that new chapter of my life,” said Sandor. “Go into the future, meet new people, and take my life and career more seriously.”
Sandor gives a positive outlook on his plan outside of high school. Sandor has a great mindset when it comes to planning his way around things and making time to focus on his priorities. Striving for your goals is what makes life worth living. Take your time; it’s okay to slow down and take a minute to find your specialty in life.
“Yes, I’m excited and nervous to see how life is going to play out once I’m out of high school and when I get to the adulting age,” said James Lingley, a senior at Nonnewaug. “I feel like I will be okay, and everything will play out, but I’m still nervous at the same time.”
Lingley gives great advice, too. It’s okay to be nervous about stepping into the real world. The real world and waking up and having to go to school every day are two different things. Going to public schools for so long should teach you that not everyone is going to be your friend and not everything will work out, but in the end, it will be okay, and the school environment will teach you that throughout all your years. Memories were made, and it’s time to start some new ones.
Mia Castro, another senior at Nonnewaug, speaks out about her high school journey and the things she will miss once she lets it go.
“Ive been here for a bit, and I have a really good plan for college and the steps I am going to take,” said Castro. “I’m gonna start with community college and then apply to my program to be an ultrasound tech. I’m just ready to get my career moving. I’m gonna miss the fact that seniors can leave early, and I will miss being able to connect with the friends I’ve grown to love over the past couple of years because my high school experience was made from my friends and the groups I’ve partaken in over the past years.”
Castro seems like she has her game plan down, like most seniors right now. She is taking the steps that Nonnewaugs school’s career college counselor set her up for success. Senior Liam Sandor will also miss a few things about his high school journey.
“I think I will miss my connection with my teachers here the most; ive built such a bond. They have pushed me through all my 4 years and helped me prepare for college and helped with all my scholarships,” said Sandor.
Each student will feel differently about their own experience throughout high school. Each school pushes its students to reach for the stars, and they only want what is best for them at the end of the day. It does not mean it will always be sunshine and rainbows; it is just the way things are going, and how can we address them and fix them, which Nonnewaug High School staff likes to show daily.
“My teacher relationships I’ve grown over the years are different from other schools I’ve gone to. I think in the past, I’ve been on friendly terms with my teachers, but in high school, my connections with teachers have created such a bond, which led me to great opportunities,” said Sandor. “They count on me, and that’s something that makes me proud of myself.”
Be proud of yourself no matter what the situation is. Each one of us has potential, and we will each find our way even if a little assistance is needed. With the 2025 senior high school time coming to an end, there is always something to look forward to.
“I can’t wait to walk across the stage with all my friends and have that feeling inside me like I finally did it and have that sense of this part of my life is over and now it is time for graduation parties,” said Castro.
Get ready to celebrate that big day. Seniors have all earned that day, whether they believe it or not. Working so hard each day even when most days we don’t want to. Our school has been through some hard times, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t put in the work and give up. Get back up and keep going.
“I felt like going through high school, I would set goals, and I would hit those,” said Sandor. “But looking back at the senior, there are definitely things that I wish I could accomplish, but then again, I try to reflect on all the good things that I’ve done and all the goals that I have achieved and try to look forward into the future.”
