The 23-24 school year is quickly coming to a close, and even faster for those senior students at PSHS. Spring sports are wrapping up, seniors have attended their final school dance, and now they are studying for their final exams. Ideas the seniors had for the future education or career are finally falling into place, and anticipation for those final moments in the halls of Poland Seminary brings excitement to many students. Four seniors, first interviewed at the beginning of the year, have been interviewed again in order to see the progress they have made with their future plans and to revisit events of their senior year.

Valedictorian Matthew Butch will be attending the University of Akron this fall to study mechanical engineering. After college, he would like to eventually find a job working for NASA. 

Valedictorian Maddie Garwood will be attending John Carroll University this fall to double major in Data Science and Communications. 

Jacob Jenkins will begin his apprenticeship this summer for the IBEW Local 64 Union after enjoying his last summer after high school. In the future, he will keep working as an electrician and eventually hopes to own his own business. 

Liberty Lavelle will be attending the University of Pittsburgh this fall to study Psychology with the goal of attending law school.

While all of these students have bright futures ahead of them, their time in high school was eventful and memorable. Whether they are looking back on their participation in clubs and sports, their attendance at events to support the school, or even the times they had in their favorite classes, students express that they are happy for the memories they made with friends, but ready and excited to move onto the next phases of their lives. 

Some advice they would like to share with the underclassmen was overall to enjoy high-school. It is wise to spend time on school work, but do not let it overtake your life and cause overwhelming stress.

Lavelle emphasizes to “take advantage of every opportunity because high-school really does fly by and there’s so much worth doing and being a part of.”

All in all, the 2024 graduating class feels content with their high school experience, and is finally prepared to start lives away from home.