The closure of the fall semester for most high school students means a break from classes, but returning a few weeks later. However, for two Neelyville students, the end of the semester meant the end of high school.
Joseph Scarlet and Shaye Barker wrapped up their high school careers in December by graduating early.
Early graduation means they’ve completed all of their credits and requirements to finish high school in less than the usual four years.
For Scarlet and Barker this means graduating a semester early as both were slated to finish in May of 2020.
“I need to get a job to help for college,” Scarlet said. “I have the A+ program, but it’s not enough to just stay here when I could be getting a job and saving up more than what they would give me.”
Barker said she’s also in the situation of needing to get a job, but also her boyfriend has joined the Army. Online classes, she said, means she’d be able to travel with him when necessary.
“There’s a lot of stuff coming up with him this next year ... I just want to spend more time with him before he leaves,” Barker said. “Also, I just want to get my college done early.”
Scarlet said he was originally part of the honors program in seventh grade, but eventually found out “it doesn’t do anything for you and colleges don’t look at it.”
Because he was on that track, but left it in 11th grade, he had extra credits. He found out with those he had enough to graduate a semester early.
While it wasn’t the plan for Barker, when she found out in ninth grade graduating early was an option, she said she wanted to try for it in order to get through college sooner.
“I kind of had that set plan to make sure I always got my credits done and always get everything passed so I could do that,” she said.
Both expressed plans to attend college, but go into the workforce first.
Scarlet said he’s hoping to get a job at one of the factories in the area. In the long run, he wants to attend college to study mechanical engineering. While the two areas aren’t exactly the same, he said working in the factory should help him with his ultimate goals and look good on the resume.
“It’s something to do with my hands, which I like, but it’s also applying science and challenging me,” he said.
Barker is planning to study early childhood education to become a teacher. Her mom used to work as a teacher with the school district.
“She’s always been around kids, we had a day care at our house when I was younger,” she said. “I’ve always been around them, which is why I want to do elementary.”
In the meantime, she’s planning to do some baby sitting jobs and work as a personal assistant.
Although graduating early has its benefits, it also means the two will miss out on some of the traditional last semester of high school events such as Senior Skip Day and Prom. However, both said the benefits outweigh what they can miss out on. Both will still be able to walk during the commencement ceremony in May.
“(I’m missing) my third prom,” Scarlet said. “It just seems like this is the last one. It finally sets in. It’s going to suck to miss out on it.”
Both said those missed experiences were the only concerns their parents expressed, but have ultimately found support from family.
“My parents thought I wouldn’t be able to walk during graduation if I didn’t do second semester, but you can,” Barker said. “They were just worried because they always wanted to see me walk across that stage. The fact that I’ll be able to makes them really happy.”
Outside of the academics, Scarlet is a member of the Neelyville High School art club and enjoys working on cars.
Barker said during her own free time, when she isn’t working, she enjoys painting.
Both expressed the realization that leaving high school is going to mean a lot of changes for them. School gets students into a routine that is lost after graduation.
“It’s going to be different,” Barker said. “We’re going to have to change a lot.”
Scarlet said he’s hoping to take second shift at the factory, which is not early in the morning the way school is.
Along with the schedule, he mentioned being able to do what he wants, which also means more self-accountability.
“I think it’s going to be relieving. I can start doing whatever I want,” he said. “If I lose a job, it’s on me. They’re not forcing me to do anything.
While there will be challenges, Barker said, she also expects to see a good side of it. She enjoys change.
“We’ve been doing the same thing for 18 years,” she said. “I feel like something different will make me feel better.”