Walking through the halls of Judge Memorial High School, the future feels both exciting and uncertain. Students and faculty alike are thinking about what comes next—college, careers, and the paths that lead there. For many students, those paths are not straight lines, but journeys shaped by passion, curiosity, and growth.
Some students explain how their career goals have changed over time. Senior Jazzy Zenner shared that she “wanted to be a lawyer since I was little,” but after entering high school, she “found a new passion for the medical field,” particularly dermatology. She also admits that she doesn’t have everything figured out yet, saying, “I don’t even think I have a dream job… I’m just waiting till college to see what life’s about.” Her experience reflects how high school often becomes a turning point where students begin to rethink earlier dreams and discover new interests.
Junior Lily Wikstrom shared a similar shift. As a child, she dreamed of playing professional soccer, but over time realized she wanted to continue the sport only through college. Now, she is drawn to sports medicine and hopes to become an athletic trainer or physical therapist. Lily emphasized that students shouldn’t rush the process, explaining, “You don’t have to figure out what you want to be right away… thinking about what you’re interested in really helps.”
Faculty members notice this evolution as well. College counselors Jeanette Sawaya and Amanda Luzinski observe that many Judge students today are led more by passion than money. Sawaya noted that students interested in nursing and medicine are often motivated by service, saying they want to help others “less because of what it can do for them economically, but more because we have such a passionate group of students.” The counselors also emphasize that college selection is deeply personal, reminding students that the real question is not whether a college is good, but whether it is “a place where you thrive, not just survive.”
Preparing for college, however, involves more than choosing a major. Theology teacher and Christian service coordinator Mr. Dunn explained that high school builds essential life skills alongside academic content. He emphasized the importance of “time management, professionalism, and follow-through,” noting that college demands much greater independence. Learning how to manage large workloads and take responsibility for one’s time prepares students for the realities beyond high school.
Younger students are also beginning to explore meaningful futures. Sophomore Cody Westover shared an interest in becoming a children’s neurologist or psychiatrist because “the study of the brain is really cool.” Cody described wanting a career that is interactive and engaging rather than desk-bound, encouraging others to “just do what really interests you.”
Across all grade levels, students offer similar advice: don’t stress. Jazzy summed it up best when she said, “Don’t stress about it… it’ll all work out in the end.” Even seniors admit they are still discovering who they want to be, trusting that growth takes time.
