Early graduates are often an overlooked part of the senior class, even though they take a path that requires independence and major life adjustments. This year, students like Charisma Pulliam and Nicole Stokes chose to graduate early and start the next part of their lives before most of their peers. Even though their experiences are different, they’ve both taken on new responsibilities, from college and work to personal growth. By checking in with these early grads, their responses give a look into what life is really like after leaving high school early, and why their journeys deserve just as much recognition.
Charisma Pulliam is 18 and currently attends Black Hawk College as a student working in the advising center. Charisma was one of Rocky’s 70 early grads. She says graduating early is not something she regrets, but if anything, it has helped her mental health. Some of the hardships she has faced with graduating early include, “That you do not get to see the people you used to talk to in school every day.” She has been able to keep a connection with her friends by reaching out to those who are close to her. Charisma says she is “Looking forward to reuniting with friends that I do not see every day at prom. I feel like it would be a fun experience.” When asked about her experience in high school, she said, “Doing college and high school at the same time was overwhelming, at first, but once I got used to it, it was pretty easy to navigate.” She was also able to balance it out by having a set work and school schedule. She has spent her time waiting to officially walk the stage by working, studying, and applying to colleges. While she faced a couple struggles with applying to the top schools with low acceptance rates, she was able to score a spot at her dream college, Howard University. Her greatest highlight of being in school is that she has “gotten to connect with new people and make them life long friends.”
Nicole Stokes is 18 years old currently and working a full time job at Walman Optic. Nicole is really proud of accomplishing getting her own apartment. College isn’t really on her mind, stating, “Although it was a thought to apply to some schools to see if I could get in.” She doesn’t regret graduating early because, for her, it was the best decision for her personally. During her free time, Nicole works, spends time with herself, and figures out who she is as a person and this new journey she is starting. She does feel like she is missing out on big senior moments, although she can still participate. She says, “It’s just not the same.” Nicole was working and also going to school. She states that, “Some days are harder than others, but I feel it made me a stronger employee for my employer.” She works hard in everything she does. Nicole really kept to herself when she attended Rocky, so she won’t be attending prom. But, she is excited to see some of her friends at graduation since she is not going to prom. “Being out of school is such a free feeling. It’s amazing texting or hanging out with them,” she explains. It’s very important to her at that age in life she loves the friends she has made throughout school. Some of Nicole’s favorite highlights were overcoming over her fear of snakes in Mrs. Anderson’s room. She made Nicole comfortable to be herself. Mrs. Anderson was the highlight of her high school experience, although throughout these last four years, the best highlight was her growing into an amazing person and she is so proud of herself for that.
Early graduation looks different for everyone, but the experiences that were shared by Charisma Pulliam and Nicole Stokes shows that it can lead to real growth, independence, and new opportunities. Even though they didn’t have a traditional senior year, their stories remind us that there isn’t just one “right” path to finish high school, and every path is different for one another. As the school year comes to an end, it’s important we recognize and remember early grads for everything they’ve accomplished.
