Sutter students ready for the future

As the school year comes to a close, attention is turned to the class of 2011 and the graduates as they make plans for their future. Students are required to take the acquired knowledge received throughout high school and implement it into something useful. But this knowledge delves much deeper than science and math.

The graduates of Sutter Union High School have taken much more from the last four years than an education from the high school. Each student has taken the steps of an individual into developing plans for a successful life. The knowledge taken from SUHS can be characterized into three distinct categories: academic, social and individual.

Academic knowledge is the most obvious component of the road to graduation at SUHS. Nearly all high schools offer the general studies encumbered in the skills and comprehension included in this academic knowledge; however, SUHS also offers honors, UP, and AP courses to prepare students for the college workload.

Brendan Ahlers, an honors student in the class of 2011, said, "AP calculus this year has been one of the hardest things in my life, but I definitely feel like I am ready for college-level math." Students and teachers agree, advanced courses such as these are a key factor to the success rate of students attending college after SUHS.

The education acquired at SUHS also includes social knowledge. By social knowledge, I mean the social skills and practice we receive at SUHS. This can be anything from experiments in lab groups to oral presentations in an English class.

Karissa Tomm, a member of SUHS's class of 2011, said, "When I came from Gray Avenue Intermediate School, I only knew a few people, but throughout high school, I've become more confident and comfortable with those around me." Social skills may not be vital to a high school education, but they help to prepare students for the future.

These social skills play a role in the final component to SUHS's education system: individual knowledge. Individual knowledge includes the foundation of morals and values that have been enforced at SUHS.

Mark Mackensen, a senior, said, "I really think Sutter has helped and played a role in the development of the person I am and how to treat other people."

Individual knowledge is the part that has been the most outstanding in shaping my experience at Sutter High. I feel that the skills and lessons I've learned through my four years here have been crucial in developing my independence and ability to move on to Oregon State University next year. I will forever remember the time spent here.

This is my last column for the Appeal-Democrat. The Dodd twins, Jayna and Nola, will take my place as SUHS columnists for the 2011-2012 school year. I would like to thank all of you who have inspired, contributed to or read my columns. I would also like to thank Susan Benitez, lifestyle editor for the Appeal-Democrat, who gave me this opportunity.

McKenzie Kimball is a senior at Sutter Union High School. This is his final column for Education.