The seniors of 2012 say goodbye to TJ and hello to college.
TJ Senior Abby Montgomery shows off the "College Bound Spartans" map in the main office. Photo by Mateo Rocha
When asking any high school senior in May what it is they’re most excited about, the most popular and repeated response is “Graduation.”
“I can’t believe the time is finally here for us to graduate. I know everyone says it, but the time really does fly by. I feel like I was just a freshman, and in a little over a week now I am about to graduate high school,” said Senior Jessica Craft, who says she plans on attending Metro State University in the fall.
Currently, 213 seniors are awaiting graduation on Thursday, May 17th at the University of Denver’s Magnus Arena, and approximately 156 seniors have been admitted to a college of their choice.
The class of 2012 has been accepted to a wide range of colleges statewide, as well as out of state schools, too. The most popular in-state schools include the University of Northern Colorado, with ten seniors attending, Colorado State University, with eighteen seniors, and Metropolitan State College and the University of Colorado at Denver with a total of 65 seniors attending. Other schools include the University of Denver, Colorado Mesa University, Northeastern Junior College, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and many more. “It’s exciting seeing everyone go their own individual ways and finding what school really fits you. I cannot wait to go to UNC next year!” said Senior Mallory Lopez.
The top two graduating seniors, Becca Hansen and Will Pearson, will both attend Colorado State University in the fall, with Hansen majoring in Biological Science, and Pearson in Computer Sciences.
Seniors venturing out of state for college include Griffin Black and Chelane Obland, who plan to attend the University of Arizona. Jaron Bartoszek and Luke Fabian are attending the University of Wyoming, SirMichael Boston and Rashad Williamson plan to go to New Mexico Highlands University, Leslie Esparza and Mateo Rocha will attend New Mexico State University-Carlsbad, and the University of New Mexico, Tianna Herde and Ali Holcomb will attend Fort Hays State University, and Tori Perez has been accepted and admitted to the University of Kansas. Talan Lousignont will attend Neumont University in Utah, Becca Randall plans to go to Hastings College in Nebraska, Latrell McLennan will attend Santa Barbara City College, Daniel Oakes is attending the University of North Dakota, Beau Parise plans on the University of Alabama, and Celeste Pegues will attend Philander Smith College in Arkansas.
“I’m excited and nervous to be going out of state, but I’m more ready than anything! It’s going to be a blast,” said Becca Randall.
This year, the senior class has earned over $2 million dollars worth of scholarships. “It is a tremendous accomplishment. We usually have our senior classes earn about $500,000-$800,000, but this year we broke two million, and I am so proud of them for that,” said Future Center Counselor Tabitha Rocha.
Finally, this reporter, Abby Montgomery, will graduate from TJ with plans to attend the University of Denver in the fall, with a major in business.
