Cap and gown orders begin to roll in, the last school-spirit event brings students together and exam stress begins to build. These collective final moments are solidified for seniors, but plans after graduation remain a question mark for some in the dwindling weeks of senior year.

Whether it’s a four-year university looming ahead, community college classes starting over summer or a nine-to-five job requiring commute time and a suit, the future is coming fast for the Patrick Henry High School class of 2023. And this graduation comes after significant setbacks, according to principal Michelle Irwin.

Overcoming barriers as students

“Our graduates have a lot of experience of ‘pivoting’ and being flexible,” Irwin said. “This class had to pivot their freshmen year and ‘pause’ their high school experience due to the pandemic. This class was required to figure out a ‘plan B’ and learn in a variety of ways.”

Emily Moy, teacher and director of the engineering program at PHHS, shared how the COVID-19 pandemic and college applications, specifically, presented challenging situations for students.

“Since the pandemic and the elimination of SAT scores from many college applications, we have noticed that admission to four-year universities, particularly Cal State and UC schools, has become (even more) highly competitive,” Moy said. “I’d say the biggest concern facing our graduates is gaining admittance to a university and then figuring out how to pay for their degree.”

Despite these challenges, graduating seniors like Abbie Darling, Hudson Lane, Anna Brew and Franco Cachay (pictured above) said the preparation at PHHS has set them up for what’s next.

Darling plans on attending San Diego State University and majoring in environmental sciences and psychology. Lane also intends on attending SDSU and majoring in political science. Cachay plans to attend the University of Southern California to study on a pre-law track with a philosophy, politics, and law (PPL) degree and an undecided minor. Brew intends on attending the University of California Berkeley, majoring in conservation at the Rausser College of Natural Resources.

These college acceptances required significant time and commitment, and often came with more questions than answers, according to Cachay.

“As with anything, navigating in the dark is difficult, impossible, even,” Cachay said. “Even from my first years at Henry, I have always had so many questions about higher education, career pathways, and how to prepare for ‘life’ altogether. As a first-generation student, my parents knew very little to nothing about such processes. PHHS provided the system — the community — that allowed me to feel heard and valued in such a position, and work alongside my peers (and with help of staff) to learn inside and outside the classroom, to learn these skills, and to feel confident in my abilities.”

Likewise, Darling said reconciling with unexpected barriers was a challenge. Darling had goals of attending a “prestigious” college, a top choice being the University of Washington. However, after some rejections and a celebrated acceptance to the University of Washington, Darling realized the significant costs would not make the University of Washington a viable option.

“I worked really hard in high school for the main purpose of going to a ‘prestigious’ college, just to be denied from most of them. It was a tough blow that made me question where I went wrong. I stayed up until 3 a.m. every night studying and therefore wasn’t able to prioritize family and friends, and it felt like it was all for nothing” Darling said. “My point is that it’s really frustrating to work hard just for something that you can’t control (acceptances and tuition costs) to get in the way. Never in a million years did I think that I would end up here, but here I am nevertheless.”

Striking a balance of work and life

While these dreams for college were a driving force in high school, Darling said that the community connections made through clubs, sports and ASB retain a significant importance as lessons in self-confidence and persistence.

“While my high school courses have provided a strong educational base, the relationships I have built with both my teachers and peers have made me feel confident that I will do good in years to come,” Darling said. “It’s great to learn about subjects of interest, but it only takes you so far. These relationships have made me a kinder, more persistent, patient, and organized person, which I think are a few essential traits.”

Irwin said becoming a balanced student is part of what she hopes students will learn and take away from PHHS.

“We often speak about school-life balance,” Irwin said. “We encourage our students to engage in activities beyond academics so they can have that balance.”

For Lane, balance was a lesson he learned as a student-class president and ASB president.

“In the beginning it was a struggle to find a balance,” Lane said. “Being the ASB president currently, and the class president for the previous three years, it has given me one of the most valuable experiences that I believe you can get from high school. For me, it wasn’t just a class, it’s a family. I have developed many valuable leadership skills and real-world business experience from all the events that our ASB puts on/sponsors throughout the school year.”

And, within classes, Lane said branching out and trying something new in academics allowed him to find an activity that helped alleviate stress.

“My junior year of high school was jam-packed with AP classes, and, in my years prior, I had never taken an art class,” Lane said. “This year I took ceramics, and it was mind altering in that it helped reduce my stress and allowed me to get a deeper understanding of myself.”

Moy said she’s seen students becoming more vocal and intentional with their mental health as they internalize and navigate difficult situations.

“I’ve noticed that in the past few years, students have been more mindful of how society’s greater problems affect themselves, their families and their physical and mental health,” Moy said.

Preparing for what’s next

Irwin said that the lessons learned in critical/creative thinking and problem-solving, analyzing information and collaborating with others and being independent and advocates for themselves are catered to helping students be prepared for life.

In the engineering academy, Moy said the learning experiences are aimed at giving students exposure to topics and skills that they will see again in their future. Some of the application-based learning includes designing 3D models of objects and buildings in professional software, teaching them how to use machinery in our fabrication lab, and helping them connect with, and get feedback from, industry professionals, according to Moy.

“The engineering program lends itself well to this sort of preparation because we teach topics and skills that students will encounter in their future education and career,” Moy said.

Cachay said the programs offered at PHHS, including STEM and performing arts, allowed him to try something that may lead him to declare his minor.

“As a personal example, the video production/broadcast journalism course track offered at PHHS has developed a strong interest of mine, and I think it is very likely I will end up minoring in film studies as a result,” Cachay said. “As a whole, PHHS classes, teachers, and staff provide an abundance of resources for rigorous learning and student success — which will certainly prove to be useful takeaways beyond high school.”

Brew shared similar experiences in the AP courses she took.

“At PHHS, classes like AP U.S. History and AP Environmental Science have given me the opportunity to learn more about topics I really love and have expanded my horizons about those topics,” Brew said.

For Darling, the guidance of specific teachers made the questions and unknowns of the future feel less daunting.

“I’m not completely sure what I want to do career wise and for the longest time I was worried about staying in San Diego for college, but talking with my favorite teachers, Mrs. O’Hara and Mr. Norton, have really helped me,” Darling said. “They have pointed out that life can’t be predicted and that wherever I end up, as long as I am passionate about the path I’m on, will be good.”

And these experiences in the classroom translate into learning opportunities outside of the classroom too.

Moy said she encourages her students to pursue part-time jobs. Moy sends out a weekly newsletter including employment opportunities and said the San Diego Unified School District’s College, Career & Technical Education (CCTE) department maintains a job board for students.

“I always encourage students to get a part time job, as it helps them build work skills, pads their resume, looks great on college applications and helps them save money for higher education,” Moy said.

Reflecting on memories from high school in the final weeks of school

While the graduates still have prom, final exams and other milestone moments, each had memories to share that highlighted their time at PHHS.

“Some of my most cherished memories were founded off of ASB; whether that’s the Pitbull impersonator or skydiver for our Homecoming Halftime show – just to name a few,” Lane said. “It’s a class where I met my closest friends and biggest mentors, and I am fulfilled knowing that my contributions have left a mark on the Henry legacy.”

“I don’t really have specific favorite memories, but I will always appreciate the small, random conversations with friends, as well as stressful moments from ASB events that I now find funny,” Darling said.

“Some of my favorite memories from PHHS include running on the track team, taking part in Environmental Club (which I am currently the President of) activities, taking the amazing French class with Madame Nedellec and meeting so many new people,” Brew said.

“While I’m excited to pursue my goals in higher education at USC, I continue to reflect on the challenges, successes, and unique stories that have made my PHHS so memorable,” Cachay said. “From an unfinished freshman year to an entire sophomore year online and ‘return to normal’ junior and senior years, I’d like to say the class of 2023 has had one of the most unique experiences in the past few decades. Still, the inseparable friendships made through classes, the comedic moments during lunch or passing period, and the pep rallies, football games and school events have made the journey worth all the while.”

For Moy, excitement and hope for the future are found in her students.

“Like all teachers, I hope for my students to continue challenging their minds and to hold their hard-earned skills and relationships close to heart as they make the world a better place,” Moy said. “Often, reading the news in the morning leaves me feeling somewhat depressed and powerless. And then I come to work and interact with all of these incredible, inquisitive young people with their open minds and their big hearts, and I always, always leave feeling hopeful for the future.”

Graduation at PHHS will take place on June 14. To learn more, visit the PHHS website at: patrickhenryhs.net/.