COLUMN: What happens next? Three Epic seniors share their post-graduation plans.

As the spring semester draws to a close, Epic Charter School seniors must think seriously about what they're going to do after they graduate. Photo credit: Abby Conn/Epic News Network

Editor's note: Epic senior Amy Martinez-Reynolds interviewed two of her fellow soon-to-be graduates and her roster teacher about the nervousness and excitement during this special time. She shares their thoughts and her own as graduation looms.

Congratulations! You’re a high school senior! But along with relief and celebrations come big decisions like whether to go to college, where to go to college, or what you want to do next if college isn’t your speed.

Let's take a peek at a couple of seniors and their post-high-school plans.

Kyler Benson - Aerospace Engineering

Kyler Benson plans to major in aerospace engineering either at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) or Wichita State University (WSU).

“I also enjoy watching things fly and such. So it just spurred me to building and designing aircraft . ... I wanted to do something like that.” Benson shared when asked about his inspiration for his career.

Aerospace engineering consists of developing technologies for use in aviation, defense systems and spacecraft. Pursuing a career in aerospace engineering is widely viewed as a challenging career due to its requirements, which consist of a deep understanding of math and physics. The academic courses and training can be rigorous, and the risks can involve technical failures, unexpected environmental factors and potential contact with hazardous substances. 

Ellie Draper - Mortuary Science

Ellie Draper plans to major in mortuary science at the University of Central Oklahoma. Draper’s hobbies of of art and sculpting have helped prepare her for her studies.

“They have helped prepare me, as I’m required to take cosmetology for my degree. Knowing color theory and anatomy is already a big step for me in that direction,” Draper said.

Mortuary science is the study of preparing the dead for burial or cremation. Morticians typically work in funeral homes or mortuaries. Mortuary science isn’t an easy career, but it is often seen as a rewarding field due to attention to detail, strong communication and the need to develop emotional resiliency. And assisting grieving families at their worst moments can be powerful and meaningful.

Amy Martinez Reynolds - Professional Writing

I plan to major in professional writing with a minor in creative writing at the University of Oklahoma. I am a dance teacher's assistant at Ascend Dance Studios and work closely with ages 2 to 8. I plan to take the dance classes OU offers for non-majors so I can continue my dance training.

As for my major, professional writing prepares students for the publishing industry, with skills such as clear communication, logical thinking, project management and how to craft a compelling narrative.

Creative writing is the composition of writings ranging from poems to novels. Creative writing requires a great understanding of English and grammar, but it also requires the ability to capture and keep readers' attention.

Guidance for Epic Students

All Epic high school students are required to have an Individualized Career Academic Plan (ICAP) in order to graduate. ICAP helps students think more deeply about their academic goals and provides career development opportunities. Students are encouraged to set goals and are allowed to have one-on-one time with a college and career advisor( CCA) to set academic, personal and career goals. 

Students also have access to financial aid and scholarship guidance, as well as internships, CareerTechs and concurrent enrollment assistance. Epic also provides help for transitioning seniors to post-high school vocational and military careers. For students in need of financial aid, ICAP also assists in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“Epic has different departments that help me,” Epic teacher Rachel Purgason said. “When they first started ICAP, it was all on the teacher. But ICAP has another department, so y’all meet with different people now. And FAFSA, there’s a different department that helps with that. So there are different ways that Epic helps.”

She continued: “The biggest thing for me is making sure kids have their credits."

Students, she said, may come in thinking they're one grade but their credits show something else. "So it’s just making sure where they’re starting,” Purgason said.

Senior Nerves

As a senior who plans to attend college or university, stress tends to build up. How have students made it this far, and what inspires them to keep going?

In a study by the National Institutes of Health, about 30% of high school students experience depression. “This means a major chunk of fresh high school graduates are more likely to confront depression or are more vulnerable to encountering depression while enrolling in the university," according to the study.

Epic seniors have different support systems, from teachers to friends to parents.

“I have Stephanie Kenyon, and she gets the job done," Draper said of her roster teacher. "She understands my physical conditions that I have, and she also understands my strengths and weaknesses, so she will filter out stuff that I’m already good at and replace it with something else."

Benson credits his mother and friends. “She’s always there. They’re (friends) just there. That’s the best way to put it. They’ve always been there, and they always will be there," he said.

Purgason said she loves it when students seek her out to discuss their futures.

“Just having those in-depth and meaningful conversations is special," she said.

Draper and Benson acknowledged their trepidation over what lies ahead, but also expressed excitement at starting higher education.

“It’s somewhat scary, but also somewhat enthralling. Because you’re stepping into a world where you’re not sure what could happen or when it could happen. You only know what you want, what field you want to go into, and how you’re going to do it,” Draper said.

“It’s truly that this year is what cemented that all the hard work I had and did, it finally amounted to something,” Benson said.

Celebrate! You Did It!

Congratulations, seniors! You’ve made it to the finish line. Take a moment to look back on everything you’ve learned (yes, including the boring subjects you took) and the skills you get to take with you into the next chapter of your life. Hold your memories close when you feel homesick or alone. Talk to your loved ones, who supported you through the ups and downs. You don’t have your whole life planned out right before you graduate, but you have people who build you up and push you to be the best version of yourself.

Go class of 2026! Take inspiration from these words from your fellow seniors and teachers. 

“Whatever you think you can do, you can do it. All you have to do is try, and keep pushing towards that goal. If you don’t push toward a goal, it will never happen,” Benson said.

“Understand your workload. Understand what you can and can’t do,” Draper. said “You’ll have time to take a step back and breathe.”

“Do it afraid. Life is scary, it’s hard out there, but don’t let that fear hold you back from whatever you want to accomplish and whatever it is you want to do,” Purgason said.