Abrupt. Isolating. Challenging. Such were the words current Renaissance seniors used to describe their high school journey to graduation. As ELARA welcomes its student body back to school for a new academic year on Aug. 12, 2024, it is the last time the Renaissance Class of 2025 Seniors will wander through these purple-colored halls. It was only about 3 years ago that the current seniors persevered through the drastic transition from middle school to high school with the nerve-wracking socialization and intimidating new teachers.
“A resolution I had for myself for starting high school was to only focus on school. However, I couldn’t resist socializing and made many friends, which made my time at this school enjoyable. Balancing fun and study was something I always had difficulty with,” commented Narely Ortiz, a senior at ELARA, on her experience as a student.
It has not been long since the senior class has grown accustomed to being a high schooler. The students had just gotten used to the hassle of waking up early in the morning and stressful workloads assigned by the teachers after three long years. The transition had been difficult, but they had been successful. Unfortunately, the seniors will soon face a similar predicament as they graduate from high school and transition into the unknown world beyond in just a mere 9 months.
High school graduation is an outstanding milestone for most people. It doesn’t come easy for any of the students attending Renaissance Academy. All students have to persist through the daunting A-G requirements, regular attendance, yearly standardized testing, and Advanced Placement courses. Students will most likely have heard ELARA’s counselors and principal nag them with the importance of these factors for graduation – it really is! Most students have dedicated hours and hours of their time studying for their examinations and completing district requirements just to be able to walk across the dazzling stage in their caps and gowns.
“We are lucky that almost every senior that finishes here at ELARA graduates. Our average is normally in the 90-100% range, which is higher than the state average of 88%. There is always room for improvement and the counseling staff is always hard at work finding ways to help support seniors and all students towards the goal of graduation,” said Mr. Hall, the attendance counselor of ELARA.
As statistically shown by the U.S. Census Bureau, individuals that have graduated from high school will typically earn around $9,634 more per year than those that have not graduated. Whether or not an individual plans to go to college or work after school, graduation from high school bestows one with experience and knowledge that are beneficial in the real world.
“The most important step to graduating is to remember that you are responsible for your decisions. I have seen several students believe, or try to convince themselves, that they are off the hook because they graduate in a few months. That’s not the case,” said Ms. Mar, a Spanish and Leadership teacher from ELARA.
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It is fundamental that students stay on top of their requirements, follow school rules, and prioritize their graduation for the entirety of the school year. Students should be aware that they are responsible for their high school graduation. Of course, the student will receive their diploma holder and shake hands with the principal, but what happens after the student steps off the stage is often overlooked. Ultimately, it is up to the students to work hard and decide on the trajectory of their future.
“Be on time. Your attendance matters because it determines your participation in activities and graduation itself. Stop being bums and begin your college and FAFSA applications as soon as possible! Also, participate in senior activities and have fun for your last year of school,” advised Isabella Garcia, a senior at ELARA, to other students.
There’s a wide selection of options a student can pick from after their high school graduation. Some of the more notable examples would be going to college, taking a gap year, joining the workforce, and certification programs. It could be difficult to make such a life-changing decision. If students are unsure of the most suitable pathway after graduation, they can always depend on their academic counselors and subject teachers for advice. The path to walk on after graduation should be carefully thought out and planned as opposed to choosing it impulsively.
Although attending a 4-year college is the most recommended pathway for many graduating seniors, it doesn’t always have to be. “I am not new to the discussions of the newer generations around comparisons of salary between college/no college-degree required jobs. I think that at the end of the day, if you can find something that you are passionate about or love to do, that is sustainable, and you can live off of–and still be happy, that is a win,” said Ms. Mar, when asked about if all graduates should go to college after high school.
A majority of the graduates from ELARA go on to attend 4-year institutions such as colleges under the University of California organization and other private universities. From the graduating class of 2024, Ella Carpena committed to UC San Diego, Anthony Garcia committed to UC Irvine, and Alejandra Diaz committed to the University of Southern California. Their hard work towards graduating high school was necessary for such remarkable achievements. Even though it doesn’t necessarily have to be college after high school, it is the most common pathway taken by ELARA graduates with over 90% of students going off to college.
“I do think that college gives you a lot of opportunities, regardless of what you consider success to be. It gives you a lot more opportunities and you’re also exposed to a lot more cultures and you get to know yourself more. I do recommend it for everyone even if you end up majoring in a field you don’t end up working in,” said Ms. Perez, the Biology and Physiology teacher from ELARA.
Working towards graduation itself is challenging, but navigating through real life is even more challenging. No matter whatever pathway one takes, it will take time to adjust to a new environment that is extremely different from that of a high school like ELARA. It is crucial that students prepare and learn to adapt to the real world where nothing is certain.
Give yourself a pat on the back that you’ve even made it this far, seniors! Making life-altering decisions may seem challenging, but always remember that there are a plethora of Renaissance teachers & staff and family members that can help you. It is fundamental to reach out to teachers and other elders that have walked on the same path for guidance and assistance. Visit a couple of college fairs, research various career options, and discuss with a guidance counselor! These measures will successfully prepare a student for the real world after graduation. Whether it is college or the workforce, hard work will always prevail. Thus, keep up the grind and stay on top of your tasks, graduation is coming!
Editor-in-chief of The Vitruvian Thaw is a senior at East Los Angeles Renaissance Academy and the editor-in-chief of The Vitruvian since 2023. As editor-in-chief of the school paper, he is responsible for overseeing the production of the newspaper dtaff and ensuring that quality content is created for the students of ELARA. He is currently an intern with media research program at UCLA, and is looking forward to majoring in Political Science. In his free time, he enjoys listening to folk/ indie music, reading fantasy novels and watching sitcoms.