(June 10, 2001) — High school graduation marks the end of an arduous and yet memorable twelve years journey of education. Upon graduation, seniors will look back at the memories as “young adults” and at the same time look forward to the promises in store for them—promises that vary according to passion and dream. Clark Magnet could imply stereotype computer and science geeks to strangers, but our first graduates will be studying in wide array of fields such as aerospace engineering, video production, law, graphic design, biochemistry, business communications and teaching, only to name a few. The 128 seniors are taking different roads to reach their destination. The majority of those seniors will soon be on the road to continue their education at a college or university. They might be relieved to leave the high school curriculum and testing. Some look at the underclassmen who have to stay a few more years in high school with sympathy. But let’s face it: one cannot neglect the fact that graduation—and college life— is just the beginning of the tests, lectures and challenges, not to mention the financial burden many will confront. However, the seniors are ready to face reality and the trials to take a chance with the unknown. We caught up with four seniors whose determination and persistence during high school certainly paid off. Anahit Tradatyan, Jimmy Kan, Sharon Joo and Mahan Hajianpour are just four of many seniors continuing with post-high school education. They all have a goal they want to obtain with a higher level of education. Let us take a look at the lives of these four seniors and you might be able to find parallels with yourself. Many students would not give a second glance at the dark, lanky teen. He shuffles along the hallways nonchalantly, talking casually with his friends. He endures the same food that the cafeteria offers. But as every individual is unique, Mahan Hajianpour is certainly one of a kind. His charming accent adds to his humorous and spontaneous speeches, which never fail to bring laughter. Although he may not look like a serious student, this computer-crazed senior is all set for Cal State L.A. He is ranked 18th in the senior class, with a 3.87 GPA. He chose to go to Cal State L.A. because of its emphasis on computer science and programming, and he hopes to have a successful career in the field. Looking wistful, he remarks that he’ll miss Clark for its close-knit community. He advises students to enjoy life, stating that “the purpose of life is to fight maturity.” Jimmy Kan, born Dec. 6, 1982 in Los Angeles, CA. At home he enjoys “scratching and mixing.” Kan says he’ll miss Clark’s situation where one knows everyone. “Not many people [from Clark] are going where I’m going [UC Berkeley],” he says. “I’m hoping I’ll like it there,” he says. He is considering a major in applied physics. “I hope I graduate – not fail out first year,” he says laughing. As Sharon Joo sits in her physiology class, her mind can’t help but daydream about her upcoming challenges. She said she eagerly awaits the environment that she will face at the University of California, Riverside. Joo wants to be a pediatrician so that she can “help little kids get better.” For Joo, deciding on a major was not difficult because she said she has always had high expectations of herself. Her major, bio-med, has a reputation as being one of the most difficult majors at UC Riverside. She chose to attend UCR because it is the only university that has a bio-med program. She said that one of her key goals in life is to be as happy as possible and to be successful. She said she’d like to get married and have three kids after she begins her career. Working hard through school, senior Anahit Trdatyan never gave up on her grades even when she had to stay awake countless nights to study for AP Biology. Now that she has reached the last days of school, she said she’s sad for leaving behind a handful of memories, Trdatyan is enthusiastic about what the future will throw at her. She has been an excellent student her entire life, through elementary to high school. This year she will be graduating with a 4.3 grade point average. Since the beginning of the year, Trdatyan stressed over which college she should attend. She applied to four colleges: UC Irvine, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara and UCLA. Out of those four she chose to attend Berkeley after she attends Santa Monica Community College for two years. Before this decision, she had applied to the CAP program, since it would guarantee her admission to Berkeley. Luckily, she did qualify for the CAP program and Berkeley did offer her a guaranteed admission in her junior year of college. Trdatyan said this was not an issue to her because she had chosen to go to SMCC. After Trdatyan completes her study in Berkeley, she said she plans to go to Greece and open her own medical business there.