This Saturday, Greeley West seniors will walk across the stage at Nottingham Field on UNC’s campus, marking the ending of high school, but the beginning of the rest of their lives. After taking the day to celebrate with family and friends, some will get down to business immediately by moving out and getting a job. Others will enjoy their summer before heading off to college.

Graduation can be an emotional day for some West students for a variety of reasons. Some seniors will be overcome with relief that they actually graduated after barely getting through their coursework. Others are the first member of their family to ever graduate from high school and the pride they feel will be celebrated for sure.

Senior Paul Cangilla will take a moment to soak in the experience as he receives his diploma. Cangilla plans on going to Aims in August and will be working on an EMT license.

“It’ll be bittersweet, for sure,” Cangilla said. “I’ll be reminiscing about my time at West thinking about all the work I put in.”
“You’ll be starting a new chapter of your life, but I’ll miss my West family at the same time,” Cangilla added.

Devin Sirio is a senior who needed to stay focused on school until the last day of the year. He feels Saturday will be a great accomplishment for him and a relief to his family. “Everybody keeps asking if I’m going to make it, which is good people are concerned,” Sirio said. “And since my mom got the call that it was close, I’ve been working for sure. Definitely pushing it out.”

Finally, Fidel Rodriguez feels that senior should feel a sense of pride. Rodriguez, who will attend Aims in the fall before transferring to UNC, is excited for the day. “Graduating from high school Is something you should be proud of. It will be good to have that experience with all your classmates.”