In this second installment of Highlighting Indianapolis High School Graduates, I’m highlighting a special person in my life. I have been there since the beginning and I remember when she was born. In this piece, I interviewed Pike High School senior and my little sister Emily McGuire.
David McGuire: How does it feel to be a high school graduate?
Emily McGuire: It almost feels surreal. It’s crazy waking up thinking I’m done with high school and I don’t have to go back. Now, the possibilities are endless. The world is literally my oyster I can do anything I want. There’s so much I want to do and accomplish and places to go. It was long, but at the same time not long enough.
DM: What about your high school experience would you change?
EM: Looking back, I wish I took more classes that related to what I want to study in college. I wish I took advantage of help sessions and all the clubs available and honestly I wish I earned better grades.
DM: What are your plans now that high school is over?
EM: I plan to attend Prairie View A&M University in the fall and major in chemistry and decide if I want to continue to medical school after graduation or use my degree for another career.
DM: Why do you feel it’s important to go to college after high school?
EM: Even though college isn’t for everybody and not mandatory, I feel it is necessary in order to get a well-paying job. I’ve seen a lot of people leave high school and go straight to work and four years later, they are miserable and want another job but are unable because a lot of entry-level jobs prefer some type of education after high school. They could have had a degree in the time they spent at the job they did not enjoy and got one they do. At this point in the world, some type of education after high school is needed.
DM: How do you feel your high school prepared you for college?
EM: I personally feel my high school Pike High School prepares students well for college IF they take advantage of it. You can’t help someone who doesn’t want help. You can lead the horse to water, but you can’t make him drink it. Pike has all the necessary and qualified adults and programs to get the students who want to go to college, at a school. Luckily for me, I was motivated and took advantage of it and was prepared. Other students I heard about did not do that and are confused about what they want to do and where to go.
DM: What advice do you have for those juniors who are now high school seniors?
EM: PLEASE, please, please take advantage of help sessions, scholarships, all that. Apply early to your top choices and continue making good grades. Ask adults or your favorite teacher for help if you need it. Your counselors are there to help. And always remember, this is for YOU – nobody else! Make the choice that is going to make you happy, not the choice your parents, best friend, boyfriend/girlfriend want you to make. If you want to go to the Air Force, GO. If you want to major in Engineering at Yale, GO. If you want to be a nurse, DO THAT. It doesn’t matter what you want to do, just do it!
DM: Ten years where do you hope to be and what do hope to be doing?
EM: Ten years from now, I hope to be working for the DEA as a forensic chemist or in a hospital with a M.D in whichever specialty whether it’s anesthesiology, sports medicine, etc. I want to find cures and develop lifesaving drugs and help the FBI remove deadly drugs that come from across the border. I just hope I’m doing what I love and I’m happy.