AT THE beginning of every school year, seniors set goals for themselves to accomplish by graduation, such as applying for scholarships, applying to college, passing their classes, and completing their required credits. With graduation approaching, many seniors accomplished their goals and other things they were working towards.

Valerie Landeros (11) is graduating early. She’s staying consistent and motivated to graduate next month. “School gets hard if you don’t stay consistent and motivated on what you set your goals to be,” Landeros said. After high school, Valerie plans to get her apprenticeship in Las Vegas to become a tattoo artist. She’s had a pretty good high school experience, being involved in track and basketball during her last year. “There were definitely a lot of ups and downs, but overall I feel like I had a pretty good overall year. I made the honor roll, so I’m pretty happy about that. If you’re going to have goals, it’s your job to reach them because nobody will help you in this world more than yourself, ” Landeros said.

It’s becoming common for juniors to graduate early; most say that if they have the opportunity to leave early and get an early start on college, they’ll take it. It’s a risk, but with a big reward. Most students don’t get involved with activities at school, but it’s good to put themselves out there so they can get more opportunities and connections that will help even after high school.

“I wanted to finish off school, pursue cutting hair, and get my barber’s license. I’ve been cutting hair since 7th grade, so about five years,” Yandel Dominguez (11) said. He achieved his goal of graduating early when the opportunity presented itself. His advice for students is, “Stay focused, always have good grades. It’s all God’s timing, God is going to do things for you if you really are determined to do it,” he said. He didn’t think he’d graduate this year, but he worked hard until the middle of the year after he realized he could graduate early.

Graduating early is a really big accomplishment for many people. It’s important to have goals; students work even harder to make sure they accomplish them.

Youlately Alvarado’s (12) primary goal is to graduate with good grades. “I’m planning on going full-time at my job while attending UVU to get my prereqs done and get into a sonography program,” Alvarado said. She does wish she had attended more school events during her senior year, but is very proud of how far she’s come in the past year. She wishes Lancers knew that school actually isn’t bad if you surround yourself with the right people and choose the right classes.

Hopefully, seniors meet and accomplish the new goals they set for themselves now that high school is coming to an end, but their lives are just getting started.

Congratulations, class of 2026!