Class of 2025: Post-High School Plans

Sophia Aquino and Aleena Jaber

May 30, 2025

Introduction

Graduates have a variety of paths to choose from after high school. The options listed above are just a few of the possibilities available to these emerging young adults.

With diplomas in hand, the Class of 2025 stands at the threshold of a world brimming with opportunity. The next steps they take will shape the course of their lives, whether they choose to pursue higher education, enter the workforce, or embark on adventures around the globe. Each graduate is on the brink of an exhilarating new chapter, and the paths they choose hold the promise of growth, discovery, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the world around them.

The Class of 2025 at EPHS have all learned valuable knowledge and skills, setting a strong foundation for the activities they will take on throughout their life. As they embark on this journey, it is essential for them to reflect on the lessons they’ve learned throughout high school and how that has undoubtedly prepared them for the opportunities that are waiting for them ahead.

Post-High School Plans

To gain insight into the plans of our graduating seniors after high school, we sent out a survey consisting of three questions. In addition to the survey, we also conducted interviews with three specific seniors, Natalia Ciura, Mary-Katherine Medrano, and Olivia Shipinski. Both the survey and the interviews focused on their post-high school plans, the impact of EPHS on their lives, and how EPHS will influence their future.

The high school experience is not one that everyone experiences. The four years we spend in high school are often regarded as “the best years of our lives”. The relationships we form or lose during this time can significantly influence how we perceive our high school experiences.

While high school students have widely varying opinions about their experience, many can agree on a common theme. For some, high school offers little more than textbook education and grades that seem to lack practical use. However, for others, it serves as a place to make friends and socialize, as well as an opportunity for personal growth and preparation for the future. The memories created during this pivotal time in our lives will stay with us as we move forward. The friendships formed, the ones lost, and the connections made during this period significantly shape our identities.

This sentiment is echoed by many seniors at EPHS, who have expressed that the relationships they have built have profoundly impacted their lives. Kathleen Castillo, who plans to attend the University of Illinois Chicago, remarked, “The teachers here play a big role in bonding with students. You learn a lot not just from education but also from your teachers as mentors.” Other seniors shared similar sentiments, including Livia Sina, who plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue a degree in finance. She stated, “EPHS has provided me with lifelong friends, and the AP courses I’ve taken have prepared me for the college courses I’ll be taking.”

EPHS’s Impact

Natalia Ciura will be attending the University of Notre Dame, a four-year private university located in Indiana, where she will be studying accounting.

Every EPHS student has a unique future ahead of them. Our school offers a diverse array of courses and programs for students to explore during their four years, enabling them to discover their passions. Natalia Ciura, who plans to attend the University of Notre Dame to study Accounting, expressed, “EPHS has provided me with huge support and personal connections to teachers and staff to help set me up for success. It’s taught me how to make strong connections and work hard. It’s had nothing but a positive impact on me.” Although Ciura graduated from EPHS just days ago, her affection for the school will continue throughout her college career.

Olivia Shipinski will be attending Xavier University, a four-year private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she will pursue a degree in sports marketing

On the other hand, Olivia Shipinski plans to attend Xavier University, where she intends to study sports marketing. Shipinski is actively involved in numerous clubs and organizations at EPHS. Although she is leaving Illinois to pursue her education in Cincinnati, Ohio, EPHS has had a significant impact on her life. Shipinski remarked, “EPHS has given me the opportunity to be involved in so many different things, allowing me to find my passions and my future career, as well as brought me closer to people I have known since I was young. EPHS has also taught me the life lesson to work hard and to keep going, even when life pushes you down. I think throughout my many activities and experiences, I have definitely struggled. But, through those times, I have learned to persevere and to keep going because eventually good things will happen.”

Mary-Katherine Medrano will be attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a four-year public university, where she will pursue a degree in Pre-Med.

Despite both Ciura and Shipinski planning to attend college outside of Illinois, Mary-Katherine Medrano intends to remain close to home by enrolling at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to pursue a career in healthcare. Medrano is involved in numerous activities; however, one notable passion is volleyball. Although she has chosen not to pursue volleyball at the collegiate level, Medrano has been a prominent figure in the EPHS girls’ volleyball program since her freshman year. “EPHS has provided me with tremendous support and numerous opportunities to explore my interests. It has given me valuable insight into my intended major, which is Pre-Med. I’ve built great connections throughout my four years and learned many lessons that will benefit me in life beyond school.”

EPHS’s Influence

While EPHS has had a significant impact on these three girls, how will it influence their paths after high school? Ciura stated, “EPHS has truly set me up for success after high school, as all the teachers are so supportive and helpful with creating post high school plans, especially Mrs. Heinen and Ms. Kozyra. Whatever you would like to do, they help you create a solid plan to set you up for future success. I will always remember EPHS and will stay in touch with a few of my favorite teachers. Although I am done with high school, I know if I really need any extra support or assistance, EPHS will provide it.”

Like Shipinski, many high school students value the connections they make during their four years. These special individuals will guide you in whatever direction you choose to pursue.

Conversely, Shipinski stated, “EPHS will shape my path after high school by giving me a direction for my career. It’s allowed me to meet people and get closer to many, which has shaped my friendships for the future. It has given me many lessons, experiences, and moments to cherish, reflect on, and learn from.”

Unlike Ciura and Shipinski, Medrano stated, “AP credits will help me save money on general education courses. These courses have prepared me well for the ones I will be taking in the future. Additionally, the various clubs I have participated in have shaped my path after high school, as they have allowed me to make connections with people I would not have encountered otherwise.”

Conclusion

The Class of 2025’s journey at EPHS is finally coming to an end; however, their lives beyond high school are just beginning. Regardless of the paths they choose to pursue, these graduates are well-equipped for the world, armed with valuable skills, knowledge, and enduring relationships. EPHS’s influence extends beyond academics. It also plays a crucial role in preparing students for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. We wish the best for EPHS’s graduating class and hope that the lasting impression EPHS has made on them will continue to guide them toward a future filled with promise and purpose.

Works Cited:

(M. Medrano, personal communication, May 24, 2025)
(N. Ciura, personal communication, May 26, 2025)
(O. Shipinski, personal communication, May 22, 2025)
Post High School Plans. May 21, 2025

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