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CHEROKEE HIGH SCHOOL

“A star is a rock that never gave up on its dream to rise.”

- MATSHONA DHLIWAYO

97%oftechnicalgraduates are workingin theirfieldwithin sixmonthsofgraduation.

CHEROKEE HIGH SCHOOL

How to land a job after graduation

The road to graduation can be long and winding. Graduation often is an exciting time in a person’s life. However, it also may spark some anxiety as newly minted grads prepare to look for jobs and begin their careers.

An unpredictable economic climate coupled with the rising cost of education can make soon-to-be graduates curious about what awaits them after graduation. According to the market data reporting firm Gitnux, 86 percent of college graduates can expect to find jobs within six months of graduation.

While the economy can affect how quickly new grads begin their careers, it’s not the only variable that affects where grads go after tossing their caps in the air. Students on the cusp of graduation can employ various strategies to increase their chances of finding a job.

· Start while in school. It’s never too early to think about the hiring process and what can be done to improve your profile as a candidate. Maintain a grade point average that will impress employers, suggests Indeed. Also, part-time jobs and internships in your field will help you gain valuable experience and determine if working in a particular field is a good fit.

· Select an off-peak time to search for a job. Many people start searching and applying for jobs at the same time, typically after graduation ceremonies in December and May. That floods the market with applicants. Increase the chances your résumé is read by staggering when you apply for jobs and sending out inquiries before you graduate.

· Streamline your résumé. Many companies receive thousands of applications per position, so it is essential to cater your résumé to the specific job to which you are applying. Include key words that match those in the job listing and will attract the attention of hiring managers. If

you do not yet have experience, replace that section on the résumé with your accomplishments or special projects you have worked on.

· Network as much as possible. Many job openings are learned about through personal relationships. Employers may not advertise widely and hope that word of mouth will bring applicants to their doors, or through recommendations from other employees. Reach out to academic advisors, former professors and colleagues in your academic department. Be sure to maintain these networking relationships.

· Consider growth-stage companies. The University of Missouri Career Center says growth-stage companies tend to hire entry level professionals who do not necessarily have a lot of experience. These are fast-growing companies looking to expand their operations and build company culture.

· Utilize networking social media apps. Indeed and LinkedIn enable people to network and make it easy to apply for jobs directly through their sites or apps. There’s even the option to passively apply for jobs by having a résumé uploaded where companies can search and find you if your skills are a match.

Finding a job after graduation is a priority for graduates anxious to begin their careers. Various strategies can help new grads find work sooner rather than later.

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 6PM

“Your life is your story , and the adventure ahead of you is the journey to fulfill your purpose and potential .” - KERRY WASHINGTON

HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026

The symbols of graduation

After many years of time spent toiling classrooms and study halls, many students welcome graduation. Graduating high school or college is a major milestone. It is associated with many symbols that have endured for some time. As graduates prepare to receive their diplomas or degrees, they might be curious to know what’s behind some notable symbols of graduation ceremonies.

· Gown: The gown is a customary garment worn on graduation day. The Georgia Institute of Technology says gowns historically were heavy robes worn by medieval scholars for warmth in the largely unheated universities. Today, graduates don gowns not for warmth (as most graduation ceremonies take place in the spring and summer), but to symbolize the level of degree being conferred.

· Cap: A cap, also known as a mortarboard, often goes hand-in-hand with a graduation gown. Historians surmise the flat, square shape represents either a mason’s mortarboard to symbolize hard work. Others say it may be the shape of a book to signify academic achievement.

· Tassel: The turning of the tassel is a relatively modern tradition. The tassel, which is attached to the mortarboard, initially was an ornament but has since evolved into a traditional element. The Honor Society says the practice of moving the tassel from one side of the cap to the other symbolizes completion of this important academic milestone. Typically, graduates move the tassel from the right to the left. The right side represents the student being a candidate, while the left means he or she is now a graduate. While some sources date the tradition to the early 1900s, the current tradition has been traced to the 1960s and 1970s.

· Cords and stoles: Graduates may adorn their graduation garb with other elements. Cords are twisted ropes that often represent high grade point averages or participation in honor societies. Stoles are satin scarves that often denote participation in specific organizations or a student’s cultural heritage, according to the University of Colorado Boulder.

Diploma: A diploma is a legal document. Historically, diplomas were written on thin sheepskin and rolled into tubes. Students may receive a prop diploma on graduation day or empty diploma folio. Later on the actual document will be mailed or made available for pickup.

· Rings: Some graduates have opted to purchase class rings. Students will often wear the ring with the school name facing them while still a student. Upon graduation, the ring will be turned so the name faces outward, presenting the completed coursework to the world.

· Commencement speech: The word “commencement” means “beginning,” which is fitting for a graduation ceremony. Instead of marking the end of something, commencement is for students who are about to start a

chapter.

Graduation rituals and symbols have endured through the ages, and are likely something students and their families will encounter as they prepare for the ceremony to come.

BRIANNA SHORES

VOLUNTEER HIGH SCHOOL

Wishing This Year’s Graduates

Great

Happiness & Success

Hats off to the students whose hard work and dedication have led them to this milestone achievement. May the classroom and life lessons you’ve learned from your peers, parents and teachers here guide you toward continued success as you take the next step.

We’re proud of your accomplishments, and we wish you all the best!

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Gifts for new college grads about to enter the workforce

The day a student graduates from college is a momentous occasion. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that more than two million students earned bachelor’s degrees at the conclusion of the 201920 school year, the most recent year such information was available.

As another graduation season rounds into form, millions more hardworking college students are about to receive their degrees. Commencement will be a big moment for those students and it will also prove a proud moment for their families, who will want to reward graduates with a gift commensurate with this significant accomplishment. As graduates prepare to trade in campus life for the professional arena, well-wishers can consider these graduation gift ideas.

· Attire: Though many businesses have committed to remote or hybrid working in recent years, college graduates will still need something more than hoodies and sweatpants as they enter the professional arena. Professional attire can include anything from suits to business casual clothing. Developing a professional wardrobe can be costly, so gift givers can take new college grads out shopping for attire that can help them make a strong first impression. If distance or timing makes such an excursion impossible, a gift card worth enough money to help grads begin building an impressive professional wardrobe can make for a great gift.

· Tote bag/messenger bag: Traditional briefcases are still around, but many modern professionals now prefer tote bags and messenger bags. Bags with padded pockets that can accommodate 15-inch laptops can be especially useful and help new graduations set a professional tone during interviews and after landing a job.

· Apartment furnishings: Of course, some newly minted grads will already have a job lined up by the time they stroll

across a graduation stage and receive their degrees. In such instances, they might benefit from a little help furnishing their first apartments. Some new kitchenware, a gift card to a furniture store or some gadgets like a new smart TV or home speaker system can help a new place feel like home that much sooner.

· Cooking lessons: Now that the campus dining hall is in the rearview mirror, new grads will have to prepare their own meals. Some might be doing so for the first time, so some cooking lessons with a local chef or instruction offered at a local restaurant can ensure new grads aren’t spending the bulk of their earnings on takeout or dining out.

College graduation is an exciting time in a young person’s life. Loved ones can consider an assortment of gifts to make this period even more special.

We hope your graduation day is filled with good friends, good times and good memories, and may it be the start of many more great things to come. We know you have worked hard to earn your diploma, and that dedication proves you have what it takes to succeed. We’re proud of you.

How to plan a fulfilling gap year

Many high school students tend to enjoy a few months of summer vacation after they graduate, and then embark on new adventures at college or trade school. Graduating college seniors follow a similar path of joining the workforce or beginning post-graduate work after earning their degrees. But such paths are not the only ones available to students. Some students may want to consider a gap year.

immersed in the culture can be a particularly effective means to acquiring language skills.

· Engage in a passion project: There are many projects that may be put on hold because of lack of time or resources while in school. A gap year can be the ideal time to write more or explore an innovative new business idea.

A gap year is a break from academia to pursue other interests or even experiential learning, according to Forbes. It’s more than just a time to relax, and can prove especially helpful to self-development and discovery. If time and budget allows, taking a gap year can be a worthwhile and productive endeavor. Here are a few ideas and benefits relating to gap years.

· Hone skills: Some see a gap year as a chance to goof off or lounge around. Instead, this break provides an opportunity to sample the workforce and gain experience. Individuals can seek opportunities that will be relevant to the careers they intend to pursue in the future. A future certified public accountant, for example, may want to spend tax season working with an accounting firm to learn the ropes.

· Learn a language: Students may think a gap year is the perfect opportunity to become more proficient in a foreign language or two. Bilingualism can be a key advantage in one’s job search and future career. Traveling to a country where a studied language is spoken and learning it while

· Perform service work: A gap year can be an opportunity to engage in social change or to help a cause. Certain people may want to travel to underprivileged areas on humanitarian missions or teach English to students overseas. These are experiences that will promote personal growth and help boost a résumé when it comes time to find a job.

· Improve academic performance: A study by Colorado College’s Gap Year Research Consortium reported that those who participate in gap years exceeded their predicted GPAs by roughly 0.15 points. A gap year may help a person become a better student.

· Land an internship: Some companies may want to extend internship offerings beyond the standard semester. Many professionals land their jobs through networking, so taking time away from school to participate in a lengthy internship can make for a smoother entry into that company should one want to work with them in the future.

Taking a gap year may not be the traditional route for students, but the benefits of time away from formal learning can be profound.