With graduation just around the corner, members of the Analy Class of 2025 are mapping out their futures. Whether heading off to college, diving into the workforce, or pursuing passions through internships and travel, these seniors are dreaming big and reflecting on what helped shape those goals. Here’s a glimpse at where some of our classmates are headed after high school.
Alyssa Hidalgo will be attending the Santa Rosa Junior College and majoring in mathematics, planning to transfer to a UC, possibly Berkeley. She will continue cheerleading at the JC and beyond! After growing up seeing her mom’s career as an underwriter and a lifetime of budgeting behind her, it’s no surprise Alyssa is aiming for a career in banking or finance. “I was always the treasurer in school clubs,” she says. “It’s like a puzzle. I enjoy it.” Currently interning at City Hall in Sebastopol, Alyssa handles payroll, insurance, and AP filing, which gives her hands-on experience with real-world finance. “I’m also open to working in government finance. That would be really cool.”
Gus Jordan is headed to CSU Long Beach to major in film, hoping to become a director. “Since the beginning of high school, I’ve wanted to make movies,” he says. Last summer, Gus interned at a local ad company where he learned editing basics while helping sort through hours of footage. He’s especially proud of his work with the “Only in West County” program, where he’s been able to gain filmmaking experience right here at Analy. “Shoot your shot at becoming what you want to be,” he says.
Alyson McKeon will attend Cal Poly Pomona to study business and hopes to travel abroad by sophomore year, maybe to London or Italy. With experience working at Orange Theory Fitness and taking agricultural business classes at the JC, Alyson’s aiming for a future in business management. “Not being a CEO,” she clarifies, “but doing something management-wise.”
Shellie Hance is blending business and agriculture. After spending this year as President of our Sebastopol FFA Chapter, she’ll be going to the SRJC to major in agribusiness and earn a certificate in accounting, with plans to run her own small businesses, possibly in bookkeeping or selling produce. Her internships with ranch hands and grafting apple trees, plus ag and business classes at school, have helped her prepare. “It’s both sides of what I want to do.”
For Marcos Ornelas, the future includes working with his dad’s electrical company while exploring new paths at SRJC. He’s currently part of the North Bay Construction Corps program, which helped him find a new interest in carpentry. “Electrical doesn’t really click with me,” he admits, “but carpentry is definitely something I’d have fun with.”
Richard Varville plans to spend two years at the JC, then transfer to a four-year university to study engineering or architecture. He’s interested in mechanical engineering and designing cars, or the creative side of architecture and designing buildings. His current internship may not directly align, but he’s creating murals with AP Art students for the Sebastopol Grange, and he says it’s about building a creative foundation. “Things change a lot,” Richard says. “Try not to be too disappointed when plans don’t go as expected.”
As for me, I’ll be heading to San José State University this fall to major in Communication Studies, with the goal of becoming a sports journalist. This summer, I’ll attend the School of The New York Times in New York City for their Sports Storytelling and Journalism program. During high school, I’ve served as president of the journalism club and interned with the Sebastopol Police Department, where, even though the work hasn’t been directly tied to sports, I’ve gained valuable experience and learned a lot about communication and professionalism, which I know will help in any future job.
As graduation approaches, these seniors are heading in all kinds of directions: college, work, hands-on programs, but they share a common thread; each of them has taken real steps toward building the future they want. Whether through internships, jobs, or classes that have sparked something in them, they’re moving forward with purpose. It’s exciting to see where their paths will lead next.
