How to lose a senior in 1O days

Alyssa Lee•Reporter

It is inevitable – a part of life that cannot be avoided. The inescapable event of going separate ways from all your friends is a challenge in itself, but having to leave a friend behind is even harder.

How does anyone prepare for a friendship breakup that is scheduled?

Junior Faith Browne and seniors Leah Guerra and Karoline Pompa began their friendship this fall during a busy cheerleading season. None of them went into this school year with the intention of bonding with someone in a different grade level.

“I thought they were off the walls and they are,” Pompa said.

However, due to their close proximity and similar sense of humor, the three became very close.

“We became friends because she was our main base and we couldn’t just ignore her,” Pompa said.

Senior Jenna Carbary and sophomore Mia Wager, another pair with differing grade levels, became close during Carbary’s sophomore and Wager’s eighth grade years.

Carbary said she did not expect to become so close with an underclassman.

Seniors and students from other grades discuss the trials and tribulations of seniors going off to college

“I always felt like it was very separated,” Carbary said. “Like there is no way I could be close to an underclassmen.”

Against her prediction, Carbary and Wager have remained very close, even two years later.

Some teachers and coaches aim to connect their students over varying grade levels. Adding group work into the curriculum and making assigned seats can encourage students to socialize and get to know each other.

Cheer coach Lindsey Oseguera creates “cheer families” in order to provide mentors to the incoming freshman and to form a tight knit community through the different squads.

“It’s helpful during the season, but once they’re out of cheer, the fact that they still put in the effort to maintain that relationship is super special,” Oseguera said.

These friendships will soon be faced with some very testing challenges. Guerra will be moving five hours away to attend Texas Tech, Pompa will move six hours away to attend the University of Arkansas, and Carbary will move to Tyler, Texas to attend Tyler Junior College, two hours away.

“We’ll be going from see- ing each other everyday to never seeing each other, once a year maybe,” Browne said.

Maintaining long-distance friendships can be very difficult.

“The connection can be lost,” Guerra said.

Even with all the new technology and forms of communication, nothing can replace the liveliness and joy from having an in-person hang out.

“I will probably try to text her to see her, and then I’ll realize I can’t,” Wager said.

Having to alter a habit that has been formed over the years will take practice, and won’t be easy. May is here and school is coming to a close.

How does anyone prepare for the heartbreak of separation?

“We’ve talked about it a lot, but honestly I’m not prepared to leave her,” Carbary said.

Conversations about how to continue the friendship or plans to travel back home are in order, but making this transition is hard nonetheless.

“We just won’t think about it until right before,” Pompa said.

Everyone faces these situations differently, and it can be difficult to navigate which way is more effective.

The impact that the seniors make is underestimated. Having a hard time parting ways goes beyond just friendships.

“Oh, I cry every year,” Oseguera said.

Oseguera said she is having an especially difficult time saying goodbye to this year’s seniors because she has been their coach for three years.

“It is particularly difficult, because you create that bond and I won’t get to see them every day like I’m used to,” Oseguera said.

TCC = FOMO?

Students choose economical options and battle fear of missing out

Camila Rivas •Reporter

By this time of the school year, senior students are making their final decisions as to what they’ll pursue after high school. Determining what is best for their future could be a stressful process.

Seniors Madison Little and Erik Brito have made their choice of attending Tarrant County Community College rather than moving out for college.

What is FOMO? FOMO stands for “fear of missing out”. This term is popular among teens, especially students who are choosing community college rather than a four-year university.

It could be remotely difficult to see their friends and other classmates post on social media, and talk about their new changes and experiences in their life. Students could feel like they are missing out on the typical college experiences, such as football games and joining Greek Life, as they see in the movies.

Little has 24 college credits and is almost halfway done with her Associate’s degree. She is planning on majoring in cinematography and videography.

“TCC has a good program with what I want to major in, so I want to take advantage of what I can get for a lower price,” Little said.

Most students use TCC as a way to get their basics out of the way.

“I want to get my basics done and out of the way so I can focus on my Bachelor’s and my career,” Little said.

Little is planning on attending TCC for one year and then summer school. Little has family connections through TCC, so her tuition would be even more affordable.

“Although I really would like to live separately and experience making new friends and the college life, I feel like my future self would not regret my decision to TCC, because I won’t be in heavy debt,” Little said.

After she completes her Associate’s degree, Little said she plans on transferring to a more well-known university either out of state or in Texas. Little advises students who are struggling to decide on community college or four-year university.

“Where you get your Associate’s and basics done doesn’t really matter depending on your major and career,” she said. “Now, in this day and age, saving money will be your best bet.”

Brito is considering attending TCC for two years and plans to transfer to Texas State University to major in Criminal Justice.

“I am choosing TCC because it can help me with paying for student loans, and so I can be close to my family,” Brito said. “I feel like I am making the smartest decision for myself be- cause I don’t want to be in heavy debt when I am older.”

Brito said he is also struggling with FOMO.

“University is more sociable than community college, so I could lose opportunities to make new friends,” he said. “It’ll be hard to see everyone posting on social media about their new college expierences. The feeling of loneliness affects everyone. It could really make people second guess themselves. It is very important to have a strong mindset and to stay focused on your future goals.”

Counselor Alby Sacks also advises students to take advantage of the financial benefits that TCC offers.

“Yes, finance is a priority when it comes to deciding what college you will be attending,” Sacks said. “Wherever you end up going, it is key to find out what your personal goals are. Stay on a healthy path, and trust yourself.”