RACE TO GRADUATION by Izabelle Munn design by Annagail Fields
Senior Rebekkah Wills is graduating a semester early
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raduating is a big event in one’s life. It is a symbol of growth, achievement and starting a new chapter in your life. It shows academic accomplishments and how four years of hard work pays off, but for Rebekkah Wills, it is only three and a half. Wills is a senior at Columbus North High School who is graduating in December of 2021, and attending Purdue University starting in January of 2022. “I really wanted to get a head start on college and another is that a lot of my classes that I would be taking next semester were going to be a lot of, just like, ‘fluff’ because I’ve already done most of the things I need to do,” Wills said. Wills is a senior this year and decided that she wanted to graduate early over summer break and wanted to gain the benefits of graduating early, while getting a head start on the college experience. This experience will be starting in January when Wills will head to West Lafayette to start her
freshman year as a Boilermaker with her sister, despite the rush to finish all of her work a semester early. “It is a little bit stressful. I have to make sure that my senior project is done, which I’m presenting tomorrow. And then, and it’s a little bit weird to do it against the norms, and if I have any questions I have to email my counselor,” Wills said. Wills agrees that it is hard to graduate and keep up with some of the more stressful elements, it is overall a good experience for her, and that she can benefit by going to college earlier than some other students. “Most of them are very excited, and some of my friends are sad that I’m going to be leaving them, but they’re also excited that I’m continuing with my life,” Wills said. While Wills’ family and friends are happy, and proud of her for her accomplishments, it also means that she will be leaving for college sooner than expected. Wills’ friend senior, Shreeya Ettireddy is very excited for her friend, but is
disappointed to see her leave so soon. I really think I’m going to miss her at those times,” Ettireddy said.
“I am super proud of her, and I’m really going to miss her a lot, Because Wills is graduating in December, and leaving for college in January, she will be missing a lot of events during second semester at North. Ettireddy says these are some of the times that Wills’ will be missed the most. “I’m really going to miss her a lot, especially since she’s going to be missing graduation and prom, so I really think I’m going to miss her at those times.”
