By CELESTE RANDOLPH
Communication By Design, Sierra High School
Sierra High seniors are leaving the pack.
It’s a bittersweet time of the year as seniors prepare to leave high school and move onto bigger pursuits. On Friday, May 20, during a lunchtime ceremony, Sierra High School and its leadership department held its first ever Senior Signing Celebration.
Despite blustery conditions, more than 20 seniors strutted through the inflatable Timberwolves tunnel, sat down at a table near the center of the quad and signed their certificate. Their signatures were matched by vice principal Andrew Lee, who helped preside over the festivities.
“It’s a great way to celebrate seniors moving on after,” Lee said. “Many of them college, some of them military, others workforce. … (It is) a chance to celebrate. It gives every student a spotlight.”
Senior Corinne Stackpole and many of her classmates decided to be a part of the first year of the event.
“I decided to because I promised myself that I would take advantage of every senior event/celebration that was put on and make the most of my last year,” said Stackpole, who, as a member of the school’s leadership class, helped organize the event.
With so many options, in terms of college and career, each participating senior had a personal reason for choosing their path. Chloe Ma choose Sacramento State University.
“I chose Sac State because of the incredible opportunities they provide for my major of choice,” she said. “As a political science major, I cannot wait to study at the State Capitol.”
While some seniors, like Ma, aren’t straying too far from home, there are some that are headed across the country. Lela Schluer will be attending at the University of Alabama, approximately 2,500 miles away from family and friends.
Nevertheless, she is excited about the next chapter in her life.
“I chose University of Alabama because they have an emphasis on civil engineering for women and that’s not really seen anywhere,” said Schluer. “I want to be an impactful woman for society.”
She isn’t alone in her pursuit to change the world around her. Many of her classmates are just as ambitious and driven.
Daniela Ceballos is going to major in environmental science and sustainability.
“I've always been interested in making the world a better place with less waste. Lots of people don't think about what it takes to get products into homes and what happens after use,” Ceballos voiced. “It’s a conversation I want to encourage in the fashion and food industries.”
Josselyn Rondon is planning on being an immigrant lawyer, so that she can be an advocate for people in her community.
“It has been something I am interested in and personal to me. My parents immigrated here and I am a first generation.” Rondon said. “Being able to represent people like my parents is important to me.”
Marcela Ramirez will chase a career in medicine. She understands the long road ahead of her. Before she commands an operating room, she’ll need to master the classroom. Ramirez will have to complete at least 13 years of schooling and training before she will start.
“I want to be a surgeon because all my bio classes and physiology classes fascinated me and I really enjoyed them, I also be watching random surgery videos on my free time,” she said.
Whether they’re pointed toward college or career, or for some, the military, Lee expressed his admiration for each member of the Class of 2022. Their four years on campus were like no other class in the history of the school.
“You guys have endured and withstood COVID years, online learning, and the transition back,” he said. “I’m proud of you guys of what you accomplish as a class. Once a Timberwolf, always a Timberwolf.”
