Mission Bay High School Class of 2018 valedictorian Ciara Gray and salutatorian Luke Loomis shared their hopes – and fears – entering a broader world of sweeping change.
The pair of graduates, who’ve known each other since karate class in third grade, said they had mixed feelings about leaving MBHS.
“There’s a certain amount of anxiety about going off and living on your own,” said Loomis, who’s attending UC San Diego in the fall and majoring in human biology. “At the same time there’s an element of excitement because we’re going to be able to have our freedom and the ability to make our own lives.”
“For most of the year, most of high school, I couldn’t wait for graduation and was looking forward to college,” said Gray, who will attend UC Santa Barbara as a math major. Gray, who’s grown up around marine science and had an internship with NOAA Southwest Fisheries, added, “There’s a lot of ways I could go” with a math-oriented career.
“It’s something that’s very much a part of me, science, biology,” said Loomis. “If that leads me to med or law school, or to whatever post-bachelor degree schooling I decide I want to do – I’ll see what happens.”
Though she characterized herself as “pessimistic,” Gray said she nonetheless is optimistic about her career future. “People have told me the job you’ll have in the future may not even exist yet,” she said.
Asked what they saw as good and bad heading out into the world, Loomis answered, “Technology.” 
Gray concurred, noting she loves being able to Google how-to questions, while avoiding “being sucked into technology. The convenience is nice, but it’s scary how much [technology] has infiltrated our lives.”
What of their fears?
Said Loomis, “One thing I’ve always been scared of is political dichotomy, one way or another, with or against … I very much like to have options in my political views.”
“I’m also very politically ambiguous,” said Gray. “I have friends who are so politically one way or another that I can’t even debate with them because they believe so strongly. Everything is so extreme nowadays.”
What of global warming?
“We’ve passed the point of no return,” said Gray. “There are things we can do to reconcile what we’ve done, but we’re never going to get it back to as good as we’ve had it.
“By 2050, there’s going to be more plastic than biomass in the ocean, and that is insane to me growing up surfing in the ocean,” she added.
“It is very concerning being raised on the beaches,” agreed Loomis of climate change. “Our school has done a good job of educating us about having a global mindset when it comes to how we act, about water conservation, etc.”
Concerning their graduation speeches, both Loomis and Gray were working on theirs. 
Loomis planned to give a shout out to parents for the roles they play in shaping their children’s lives.
Gray was still kicking around ideas, not wanting to deliver a “typically overdone speech” about leaving for college.
What advice would they give to future Buccaneers?
“Get involved in things, clubs, sports, early,” said Loomis. “Our school has so much to offer.”
“Don’t [just] focus on the grades.” said Gray. “Teach yourself to find a way to get yourself interested in the material.”