The last pieces of homework and tests are being turned in for final grade and review, exams are attempted and completed, and the all-so-very-important graduation ceremony is on the mind of every graduating student.

Everyone is preparing for the future of their lives, even if the clear course of action is nowhere in sight.

For a large percentage of graduating seniors, perhaps a majority, the expectation of attending college is the course of action being taken as soon as high school is completed, and the hope of attaining higher education is a motivator unto itself.

Degrees such as teaching, accountanting, economics, etc. are all received from within the confines of a collegiate institution, and they provide their holders with chances of opportunity in many white-collar related fields that come with acceptable pay and benefits. Receiving a degree almost always results in the attainment of better-paying employment opportunities, a more stable and secure standard of living, and the pride of having a degree always plays into the scheme of events as well. It does not come without its challenges.

Long hours of study, difficult courses, exams, and papers, tuition and living costs, and the task of having to hold down employment if need be all present their respective difficulties. But for many graduates of high school, the benefits of college outweigh the risks, and the possibility of having a better life that often comes with having a degree serves to draw graduating students into the fold of university and college study.

For other graduating seniors, college does not present the best opportunity for them, and instead they opt to go into technical schools and apprenticeship programs, which directly enroll and train graduating seniors coming out of high school. In recent years, technical and labor fields of employment such as welding, auto mechanics, electrical fields, etc. have expanded rapidly, and the pay that comes with these jobs has proved inviting as well, which serve as keen motivators for graduating seniors who prefer more hands-on job experiences and labor in contrast to the more white-collar aspect of college-related employment.

In addition, the availability and widespread location of technical and labor related jobs also serve as prime motivators for graduating seniors, as they present a secure position of employment, and in case of residency concerns, these type of jobs often exist in other locations, which makes for a convient and stable career throughout one’s lifetime.

And for other graduating seniors, a career or enlistment into the armed forces presents the best opportunity for life beyond high school, and it comes with its share of trials and benefits as well.

The honor of serving one’s country is an alluring value for many, and the ability to see foreign places, having higher education subsidized, decent pay, living conditions, free healthcare, and extended benefits (such as future civilian employment opportunities) that come with being a seviceman all serve to make many graduating seniors choose the armed forces as their path of choice immediately after high school.

It does not come without important risks. Long periods away from home, the possibility of being killed or seriously wounded, and the emotional liabilities that come from being in the military make for a truly challenging and difficult career or temporary enlistment choice, one that not everyone can handle in terms of physical and emotional stress.

However, the financial benefits and the pride of having served one’s country in the armed forces make the military a highly respectable post-high school opportunity, and enticing one as well.

No matter which of these paths a senior takes after high school, they all represent an honorable way of making a standardized living in the immediate future, and they all lead towards of road of respectable citizenship and job opportunities well beyond life after high school.

Z: Starting into the 2011–2012 school year I was nervous.  This was my year to be head editor of The Eagle’s Nest, and I wanted it to be awesome.  It was!  I not only had the chance to be an co-editor with one of my best friends, but I can say that this class has been the hardest working I have ever seen.

M: I didn’t know what to expect this year when I found out I was co-editor.  Having to step up to the new classwork requirements was difficult at first.  However, as we got to know each other better and work more efficiently, it proved to be my favorite period of the day.

Z & M: To the class we would like to say that you have all brought laughter into our 5th period.  From our adventures into the woods and trekking through the mud to get pictures of the new school we were never scared to get dirty.  Our parties, that consisted of mostly chips, were always fun even when we just sat back and relaxed.  The work, however, is the true shining spot of this year.  You all have worked hard to get Pictures of the Day through most everyday, write stories to meet our quotas, and push amazing ideas onto the website.  We’re going to miss Addison’s bags of chips, Zach and Kevin’s colossal motivation, Deanna, Michael, and Brandon H.’s stories and web surfing, and Colleen, RoyL, Brandon S., and Ashley’s quiet but loud opinions.  This year was great and we wish you all the best in life.

To Melanie, you are amazing.  If I didn’t have you sitting there with your laptop, I probably would have been able to access anything on the internet.  You typed away as I read off the lunch menu, POTD list, and really any other thing I needed typed because you could complete it in half the time I could.  Even though it was never published, Toilet Humor will forever be tucked away in Mr. Ferrell’s archives so he can look  back and laugh ten years down the road.  I’m gonna miss walking into class and looking for you sitting there at your laptop with a million tabs open waiting to show me all the funny things you found in 4th.  Thanks for always being there when I needed a list or word.  I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you!  See you this summer!

Oh Zach, you are shamazing.  I have loved being your co-editor.  We have become so much closer as friends through our slacking off moments and when we actually buckle down and write news breaking stories!  We had such high goals for a comic strip, but it was the fun we had doing it that counts!  I’m going to miss watching Happy Endings and New Girl while procrastinating our real work. Thank you for always helping me take pictures, finish stories, and stay focused (most of the time).  Goodness, we have done so much together.  I wouldn’t change anything about the past two years and I know that we’ll stay friends forever.

M: Ferrell! No, I don’t need anything, just saying hello.  I’ve had you for three classes in the past three years, but they have been great.  From being ganstas to woodsmen, you seem to have the best ideas for our annual picture!  I love when you tell us random nuggets of information.  You’ve taught me so much about the world wide web and you’re always there to help me when my Mac malfunctions.  Sometimes I can’t tell when you’re being serious or joking but you always keep the conversation interesting!  I really wish I had started journalism sooner but I’m grateful for the past two years and that I was able to become co-editor. I’m going to miss this class for sure.  Don’t worry though, you probably won’t even realize I’m gone; I’ll be tweeting you with questions about everything!

Z: To Mr. Ferrell—where to start?  You have been my teacher now for three years and four classes, more than any other teacher.  I’ll make you a trophy. You have been one of the most helpful parts of my high school years. You taught me that writing can break away from the standard and I can make it what I want it to be. You pretty much taught me how to use a computer, forever grateful I will be. I’m gonna miss your random rants, finding out new web sources that you ask if any of us know and we all sit in silence, and most importantly your hair!  Don’t worry, you’ll hear from me in college (especially when I’m writing a paper)!  Oh, I forgot to say that I would miss your story telling voices, very important!  As I usually say when leaving your class 5 minutes late, see ya Ferrell!

This year, on Saturday, May 5, there were seventeen girls competing for the title of “Distinguished Young Woman” of Rhea County.

The girls were judged on an interview (25% of the total score), their ACT scores and grades throughout high school (20%), answering a question in front of the audience for the “self expression” category (15%), a fitness routine (15%), and an individual talent (25%).

The selected theme this year was rock music, as implied by the various Bon Jovi, Journey, and other rock artist’s music heard in the program.

They performed a special opening number, where they introduced themselves to the audience, and then they split into three separate groups to begin the competition.

The program was hosted by Dr. Livesay, head of the education department of Bryan College, in Rudd Auditorium at Bryan College. He announced each portion, gave thanks to sponsors between groups, and even added comic relief throughout the program. After all portions were finished, the girls were taken backstage, and the audience was given an intermission while the judges deliberated.

During this intermission, the audience could take a look at the many flowers sent in for the girls and pictures of last year’s Distinguished Young Woman of not only Rhea County, but Tennessee also, Lexee Hill, going from the county program to the state program.

The intermission also included a mock interview with Lexee and a slideshow of the participants in preparation for the Distinguished Young Woman program. After the slideshow, Lexee presented her own slideshow and speech of her experiences with the D.Y.W. program. During Lexee’s presentation, the participants gathered on stage in anticipation of who would be the Distinguished Young Woman of Rhea County, 2013.

Finally, the awards were given and the winner was announced.

The winners in each category were:

Interview – Yee Won Liew, with honorable mention to McKenzie Gravitt;

Scholastics – Emily Matthews, with honorable mention to McKenzie Gravitt;

Self Expression – Yee Won Liew, with honorable mention to Brooke Stewart;

Fitness – Yee Won Liew, with honorable mention to Haley Porter;

Talent – Yee Won Liew, with honorable mention to Kristen Linderman.

After the awards, Yee Won Liew was awarded the honor of becoming Distinguished Young Woman of Rhea County for 2013. Haley Porter won first runner-up, McKenzie Gravitt second runner-up, and Cyrena Shaver as third runner-up.

After many weeks of hard work, volunteering, and a couple get-togethers, their hard work was paid off. Yee Won will attend the state competition later in the year and will speak to third grade classes about the “Be Your Best Self” program, which encourages a studious and healthy life for children. Lexee will represent Tennessee at the national competition later this year in Mobil, Alabama.