By Sabrina Hirani
As college application deadlines come around, seniors are working hard to get the last part of their applications done. College applications can sometimes be intimidating because of how seniors are starting a new chapter in their life. We asked a few seniors what they think about this part of their life, and if they are excited or nervous.
Tessa Hemphill, ’22 is filling out her applications and she is excited to start this new chapter in her life, “I’ve definitely always been intrigued by the idea of college and new experiences, but it’s definitely easier said than done to completely go into something new.”
Photo courtesy of Aidan Hatch, Gigantea staff
Hemphill also talks about how it feels crazy applying for college, because of how she is going to be somewhere completely different with new people, but she is excited about it.
Photo courtesy of McKercher
Madison McKercher, ’22 plans to go to College of the Sequoias next year, and she is also excited about starting this new chapter.
“I feel confident that I will succeed and I know this next chapter is going to be busy and lots of hard work,” she says.
McKercher talks about how leaving makes her feel anxious because she, “doesn’t know really what to expect.” She mostly feels excited and sad because she is leaving a place she has been at for four years [high school].
Carly Duerre, ’22 is filling out her applications right now and is excited to start this new chapter in her life.
Photo courtesy of Aidan Hatch, Gigantea staff
“I think that getting out of a small town and moving on will be good for me,” Duerre says.
Duerre talks about how applying to college is crazy and how it’s something everyone has been anticipating. Duerre also says how leaving Visalia is pretty scary because, “I’ve lived here all of my life, and knowing that in less than a year I’ll be living in an area that I’m unfamiliar with is hard to grasp.”
As of now, Duerre has been accepted to Oregon State and Portland State and is waiting on the decision dates for California University. She hopes to attend Pepperdine University next Fall.
Photo courtesy of Aidan Hatch, Gigantea staff
Kylen Gray, ’22 is also filling out his applications right now and feels great about starting this new chapter in his life, “I think that it will be exciting, and every mistake I make will help me learn how to grow.”
Gray talks about how applying to college is intimidating because, “we only get one shot to prove ourselves.” Gray talks about how he is excited about moving to a new location, but he is nervous that he has taken time at Redwood for granted and how he will miss it more when he leaves.
Gray hopes to get into one of the UC schools, but his top picks are the University of South Carolina Beaufort or the University of California Los Angeles.
Noemar Elazagi, ’22 is also filling out his applications. Elazagi is looking forward to college, “I am ready to start fresh, and start a new chapter.”
Elazagi talks about how he is nervous about applying to colleges, but he also feels excited and prepared for the “new learning environment.”
Photo courtesy of
Aidan Hatch, Gigantea staff
Elazagi hopes to get into the University of California Irvine, the University of California Los Angeles, or the University of the Pacific.
Sabrina Hirani
Sabrina Hirani '22 is a senior and currently a 3rd year member of the Redwood Gigantea. She is currently an opinion editor for the Redwood Gigantea. Outside of the Gigantea, Sabrina is on the Redwood Swim team. During her free time, Sabrina loves to binge-watch shows and loves to spend time with her friends and family.
Tags: college applications, opinion, rangers, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, visalia ca
