Schools

View From the Class of 2011

Graduating seniors talk about their hopes and dreams and the world they are about to enter.

They see a lot of problems stretched out in front of them as they step into the world.

The high-school seniors who make up the class of 2011 are concerned about the economy, our country's foreign policy and, perhaps most of all, the environment.

But they also are confident that their generation can overcome these hurdles and solve some of the problems that are weighing down our nation.

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"I've met a lot of amazing people (in my generation) and I think we're going to do a pretty good job," said Kathryn Rambo, a senior who is headed to UCLA. "I think we're in pretty good hands."

Patch talked to seven graduating seniors from Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore to get their views of the world.

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The issue that shadows them as they head into adulthood is the job market. All seven expressed some concern about landing a good job when they leave college in four years.

Xanth El-Sayed, the student body president at , is headed to U.C. Santa Barbara to study biology. He caters weddings and hears more and more toasts joking about brides and grooms with college degrees who had to move in with their parents after school.

"I'm hopeful, but the realist in me is skeptical about just expecting to get out of college and get a job right away," said El-Sayed. "There is that worry you're going to have to work hard to get a job. It's not just graduating, it's graduating and doing well."

His concern is echoed by Rambo. The Livermore High athlete said while visiting UCLA she met a clerk at a Victoria Secret store who had just graduated from the college with degrees in Italian and art.

That made her think about what she will major in. She said she plans to study business because she likes it but also because it is marketable.

"I want to get a more practical major, but I'm still going to do what I enjoy," Rambo said.

Jacqueline Hernandez, a senior at in Pleasanton who has taken leadership classes there, also has a practical attitude.

She said she wants to be a counselor to help people with mental-health and substance-abuse issues but added that she knows it's an occupation for which there is a need.

"I figure in that field I'll be able to find a job easily, but not right when I get out of school," said Hernandez, who plans to attend  in the fall.

Jasmin Talisschim, a fellow graduate at , is taking steps to help her in the job market. She has been taking photography and other classes at Las Positas to make early inroads into her career.

"The sooner you know what you want to do, the sooner you can connect," she said.

Of equal if not more concern to the graduating seniors is the environment. Issues such as climate change, pollution and overpopulation are high on their radar.

Amanda McNary, a senior involved in band, track and student government, said the country needs to focus on alternative energy sources. She's hoping investors will help fuel these emerging industries.

"I don't think there is anything science can't solve with a lot of research," said McNary, who will attend Stanford in the fall.

Rambo is in agreement. She took environmental science classes at Livermore High and said education is needed to clear up a lot of misconceptions.

"Hopefully the ignorance will disappear if we start from the ground up," she said.

Others aren't as convinced.

Ben Young, the student body president at , said people should reduce their gasoline use and be more environmentally friendly. However, he said the Earth does go through climatic cycles that explain some of today's environmental phenomenons.

"I think some of this has been blown way out of proportion," he said.

El-Sayed noted that his generation saw Al Gore's documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, in grade school. He said some classmates doubt some of the former vice president's predictions.

"(The environment) is a huge issue and it's getting worse, but he (Gore) made it sound like it was going to happen tomorrow," El-Sayed said.

Foreign affairs and the role of our military also weigh heavily on these young minds.

Young is headed to West Point in the fall and will serve in the Army after he graduates. He said it's OK for the United States to be involved in the affairs of other countries. 

"I do believe that as one of the superpowers of the world we have a leadership obligation," he said.

El-Sayed, on the other hand, isn't comfortable with the United States being "the police dog of the world."

"I think we should worry about our own issues before we worry about other people's issues." 

Hernandez, Talisschim and Rambo said the nation does need to step in at times, but wish things could be solved in a more peaceful manner.

Other issues also crop up among this young crowd.

David Cancel, a Village High senior headed to Washington State University, is concerned about Social Security. He said he doesn't see how his generation will be able to pay for all the benefits the baby boom generation will receive. 

Young noted that the changes in the nation's health care system will take effect soon.

"How all those things are going to play out kind of worries me," he said.

Despite looming problems, the class of 2011 is optimistic about the future. Most of them see themselves getting married in their late 20s or early 30s. They plan to have children, although a couple of the grads said they may adopt. 

They plan to be settled in their careers so they can support their families.

"I want to make sure I'm ready to take on that responsibility," said Hernandez.

"I want to get married after I get an education and have a stable job," added Cancel.

The grads are looking forward to college and being on their own.

"I'm definitely optimistic about all the opportunities we have," said Young. "There's no boundaries to where we can go." 

The students sound confident that their generation can tackle the problems facing society.

"All the problems you pointed out, we're going to be able to fix them or at least try," said McNary. "We're going to have the education and the ability. Things are going to get better because we're going to make them better."


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