FSHS seniors plan for future

Fort Scott High School Principal Bob Beckham visited with the 2009 FSHS graduating class Tuesday about the senior awards night, Baccalaureate and Graduation. (Rayma Silvers/Tribune photo)

With graduation coming up on Saturday, the seniors at Fort Scott High School are saying tearful good-byes and setting their eyes on what lies ahead.

For some of the graduates, college is the next stop on their journey through life. Others will jump immediately into the work force. Each senior has a special plan that has been tailored to fit his or her dreams and desires.

Although both FSHS seniors Joe Reichard and Katie Bristley will begin their college careers at Fort Scott Community College, that is the only similarity there is in their after high school plans. Reichard said after graduating from FSCC, he will take classes at Kansas State University with a nuclear mechanical major and a minor in history.

Bristley, who is thinking about becoming a teacher someday, hopes to attain a communications degree at Pittsburg State University. FSHS senior Jordan Woodring said she will seek a degree in psychology and counseling at Ozark Christian College in Joplin in the fall.

Woodring, Reichard and Bristley all agreed their years spent in classes at FSHS have adequately prepared them for college and even equipped them with some skills that will help them succeed in life.

"If you want to be prepared there is plenty of stuff at the high school to prepare you," Woodring said.

While the three seniors said they will not miss all of the "drama" that they have encountered through the years at the school, such as rumors spread by other students, they will miss their friends and classmates and the school in general.

"When it comes down to it," Bristley said, "you realize you are going to miss it all."

All three seniors said they would like to encourage next year's high school students to challenge themselves and glean all that they can from their years at the high school.

"The more challenged you are in high school, the better prepared you are for life," Reichard said. "It (challenging oneself) will help you out more than just coasting."

Along with the opportunities to further the students' academic performances that are provided in the high school, Woodring said the experience can also enrich each student's character.

"Academically, you're always going to need to be prepared, but a lot of people don't take advantage of the opportunity to build character in high school," Woodring said. "To me that is just as important as it is to achieve academically. Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in."

According to Bristley, it is helpful for students to learn how to be relaxed even in stressful situations.

"Always be willing to laugh at yourself," she said. "Have a good sense of humor. It helps you to get through things easier."

Reichard said all high school students should respect and honor their teachers. In addition, they should treasure their high school years as they are the last years before the students will need to enter the world and will have increased responsibilities.

"Honor your teachers," he said. "Respect them. Just have fun and enjoy your time. Enjoy your life while you have little responsibilities."

Woodring and Bristley said they would encourage high school students to live life to the fullest each day.

"Take advantage of the circumstances you're in now," Woodring said. "Don't judge anything (situations, people) before you know what it's all about, and be accepting of things and people that are different from you."

Bristley added, "You've only got one life to live, so take advantage of it."